I agree with basically all of what you said. I just don't take issue with it like most seem to. In fact, I actually LIKE it. Now, I don't necessarily like the design of everything 343i has done, but I do like seeing a new take on classic Halo designs.

I personally don't think continuity needs to be a priority (and it obviously isn't for 343i). In fact, I wish they would stop with the lore explanations for everything (the new Jackals come to mind). They are all hamfisted attempts to explain away things that don't really need an explanation. Expecting 343i to keep all of Bungie's designs the same is as ridiculous as people looking at Legends being all pissy that none of that looked the same as what we saw in game. If artistic interpretation bothers folks that much, I'd suggest those folks need to reevaluate how much they invest in Halo, as 343i has made it pretty clear that those changes are going to continue.

I guess I just don't understand why it bothers people so much. I mean, I guess I can understand people liking things to have continuity, but changing the design of things because "we think this looks cooler" is perfectly acceptable to me.