Yeah, the adversity in Halo 4 felt off, and an aspect the writer didn't mention is the huge, clumsy and incredibly contrived foil in the shape of Captain Del Rio. For much of the game, Chief's struggle isn't against unstoppable hordes, or doomsday weapons, or ancient terrors, but... bureaucracy.

"Look, Captain, it's the hero who saved Earth a few years ago!"
"Throw him in the brig, because reasons"

My emphasis on bureaucracy.