Of course things that are familiar are going to score the most highly, most easily, with the least tuning in an environment where first impressions matter so much. However, some things are really good and it takes a long time to realise that and get to grip with their nuances.

But throughout Halo 4 it seems that 343i have become far too obsessed with this - making everything obvious and easy and instantly gratifying.

Really, it's OK if your funky Promethean weapons aren't used by everyone all the time, or people don't 'get it' as quickly. For those that do discover them that is rewarding for their effort.

For Halo 5, every time they're thinking of shying away from something alien and sci-fi and different and weird, I want them to look at the Plasma Pistol and the Needler and think to themselves:

"These weapons were designed for the original game, over a decade ago, and are now essential parts of Halo for many people with a design that has barely changed in all that time. We didn't even dare change these two weapons for Halo 4. Can we, so many years later, with a brand new team, really not think of anything that is as equally different, as equally iconic, as equally as fun as these weapons?"

Because they're setting really low bars for themselves and their players by just going 'rifle, shotgun, sniper, rocket launcher' again.