: -So, about complaints that the music wasn't really as distinctly striking as
: Marty's previous work. I used to agree with the sentiment, but I wasn't
: sure that it could be meaningfully improved upon, and I felt that the
: music was serving the game about as well as it possibly could. I think
: I've changed my mind. About the first part. Reach's soundtrack is powerful
: and iconic and striking, and although perhaps not quite as unique and
: distinct as the previous soundtracks, it's still very distinct.

: -Reach's visual design and graphics. Um, wow. I've traditionally shoved it a
: notch below Halo's peak. I don't think I do any more. Lots of smelling the
: roses on this playthrough, and I really fell in love with it more than I
: have before. The material model is very expressive and works great with
: the art design (and wow at how awesome armour looks). And the sky...
: stunning use of carefully-placed layered transparencies and sometimes
: lighting to give the impression of depth and scale. It really began to
: strike me going through Nightfall, and noticing some of the level's main
: lightning art flash against the crags. This looks glorious in motion on a
: TV:

I'm definitely with you on the music and visual design.
Moreso the music - since the soundtrack was released I'd been listening to it for that background 'inspirational' work music. The tracks have emotion, they tell a story, they move from one place to another, and certainly have the epic type feel in many places. Of all Halo's soundtracks, Reach is right up there in my list.
And the engine certainly allowed for freedom with artistic beauty :)