PixlBit

Honestly, I have no clue where you're getting MMO or monthly sub from. They said online is "loosely connected," that just sounds like they're doing something similar to Dark Souls with it. I don't think that phrase fits any MMO ever made and if that's the direction they were going, they'd be touting that as something new and different rather than the new world, gameplay features, and story which is what they have been touting.

Not like the original is going anywhere either, they're just taking the new one in a different direction while trying to keep it close to the orignal. Isn't that the point of a sequel?

Sounds good to me.

I still say it's not the cause, just the catalyst. There's a world of difference between the two. 

Reach is great. Doesn't have an awful level like the others and has an amazing ending.

"Everytime I died, I'd think 'right, if I approach the fight from this angle' or 'maybe if I use a grenade here' I'll make it!"

This all the way. In one sentence you perfectly captured why I love this series so much and why I felt if you'd just give it a chance without your "Bungie ruined FPS" mentality, you'd enjoy it. Because we can debate regenerating health, controller inferiority, and glorious PC gaming master race until the cows come home, at the end of the day, that doesn't take away that good game design exists in a vacuume. One away from gender politics, what's trendy, and artstyles. If something works in a game, it works. And nothing else about the aesthetics or gamer culture can change that.

2's actually my favorite, but I think you'd like 3 the most. Has this fight I know you'd love where you fight two Scarabs (enormous tanks that resemble bugs) at once unscripted. And they put on this super epic music and explosions are happening everywhere and you have to improvise if you lose your jet rider vehicle and....GAH THAT PART IS SO AWESOME!!!!! 

Basically like this: I'm a biased fanboy who played 2 first and have a ton of nostalgia attached to that game, as it was my first console game and FPS, exceeding my expectations. And when 3 came out and did not do that, even though it was still an incredible game, I was disappointed. But in the years since, I have come to realize 2 isn't as awesome as I once thought and 3 is so much better than I originally thought. But I'm still a biased fanboy for 2 and okay with this.

I've never been a fan of Borderlands. Like the idea of it, but the shooting and enemy encounters are so awful that I get bored with these games.

Mark of the Ninja devs you say? That's all I need to hear

Bingo, just like Uncharted's.

Why anyone would pay attention to any video game news from the site that gave Arkham City a 6/5, I have no idea.