I'll start off by saying that I have really enjoyed the beta to this point. I think the sum of all its parts work really well, and it still feels like a halo game even though it is quite different from the original trilogy of halo games and even H4. This makes me think that 'losing' that halo feel is more difficult than I'd originally thought. It seems that if the game has easily executable melee attacks, grenades (stickies are a must), a battle rifle & assualt rifle, and energy shields the game will inherently feel like halo. Not saying this is where the halo feel ends for H5 because there is certainly more to it that 343 has accounted for, but this is what i feel i currently identify as the 'halo feel'.

Back to the beta impressions - The player movement works really well. I've never been a huge fan of sprint but I do think it has been balanced well here. Clambering is a lot of fun, although i do miss the more difficult/lesser known crouch jumps of previous games. Seems that trick jumping may lose its edge, guess we will see.

I do like the thruster a lot too, but i think it is essential with the current time to kill in the beta to allow the player to quickly get out of a sight line. I do think the TTK is a bit short, and personally feel that lengthening it by a fraction of a second or a trigger pull would be an improvement - but i also know i have limited vision on this and adjusting this parameter could actually hurt the flow of the game.

Specific Elements
(note that i'm a silver in slayer now and i think i've logged about 35 or 40 games)

-Ground Pound is difficult to execute which I think is a good thing, I've only successfully performed it once and that was honestly by accident - although it was satisfying. I wouldn't mind seeing the effectiveness of the attack increased just a little.

-The spartan charge i am equally awful at, and at times i also find myself a little frustrated with the melee system. I just don't seem to connect at times i would expect to.

-I do not hate or really like the kill cam, but the music is a bit annoying - especially if you are amidst a dying spree.

-I use the H4 settings and am not bothered by the ADS views. I actually like that the AR's accuracy is increased with ADS activated, it just seems to make sense. I think the other weapons are affected as well, but to a lesser degree - i'd rather the other rifles not be affected but i can't tell how significant this is right now. Also the sniper is difficult to use, but this is probably for the better on the smaller maps.

-I think the intermission period is a little too long but idk about the typical player. i think 30-40 seconds is plenty. I also think if any players drop the search for new players should start up prior to the end of the intermission.

-I do not mind the spartan chatter and it actually does have its benefits. I do not like the countdowns for weapons - i think trying to seek out the weapon for yourself is important, and checking for the weapon (with or without success) leads to more player movement around the map. I could do without the high fives, but this does not affect the gameplay at all and think it's been a bit overcriticized.

-Weapons are difficult to see, especially on empire. I don't even look for the smg's on the floor, i walk over their spawn holding x hoping to find one. These should be easier to identify.

-Used spectator mode once while waiting for a friends game to end - this is a great item. is there an option to start spectating live or near live? My goal is to watch my friend play until he is ready to join my party, I don't have an interest in starting from the beginning of the game.

Maps:

-I really like midship 2.0, and the aesthetics are great, but they seem they can get obstruct the view of the map at times - perhaps this is part of the design and the desired outcome. Only 1 game on regret so far, haven't formed much of an opinion on it other than it def is not upside down midship as the sprint series originally pitched for the remix (i realize this layout was never confirmed in sprint).

-I really like the trench map's visuals due to the simplicity of the aesthetics. Idk if I will eventually grow bored of the look, but right now I think it's on point. I also like the layout but haven't played it enough to say how i feel about the flow.

-I like empire, but find it's navigation confusing at times, especially when i spawn in one of the corners by the bases - it takes me a few seconds to orient and know where i am. 2 games on eden so far, but i may prefer this version more, the flow seems better.

TL;DR - the game is fun, bullets are for those interested/343 should they be scouring the forums.

PS, although I have not been successful with the new abilities, i am excited to see how they can be used in the campaign which is where i think they will be more effective and interesting.

PPS - Happy New Year!