We made it to the bridge and stopped as it was getting late. So to the below, I realize my bias is showing. I didn't enjoy the Flood battles in Halo, but liked the Covenant ones. Just full disclosure there. I like to take my time - and not be running. Well, CE involves a LOT of running so far.
The frenetic pace makes for a tense/fun (choose the definition that fits your playstyle) 1st section! But.
We had people down on every run. Got shoved backward. Stopped by a Cursed Thrall or Knight. Slowed. Just. Enough. If we couldn't revive it would NOT be fun. It was ironic, someone in our group said "A friend told me what they would do to make this more 'difficult' would be to throw waves of Thrall at us." Aaaaaand confirmed. It seems kind of uninspiring to me, and I hope that's not taken as a really strong word. We get it. You're supposed to keep moving - together. We're obviously going to be working on our new Olympic Event: "Synchronized Scrambling." But everyone is rushing, rushing, rushing. Then to turn back at the lantern to see the guy who was just trying to reload his shotgun - getting pummeled by 762 Hive. Ack. All I can think of is "Hard Mode?" No revives? OH MY. That will be 3 levels past ridiculous.
What would I hope for?
Could we have a little more resistance outside (getting in) for a tradeoff of fewer Thrall inside? I wouldn't even mind fighting an Ogre or Hallowed Knight every other lantern - if it meant like 50-75% less Thrall. To kill that many Thrall you need a heavy weapon, and a heavy weapon means you can't move as quickly, and you have a darkness weight penalty already... Again admitting I like more slow-paced battles.
How about an AoE effect via a class or subclass that temporarily reduces the darkness penalty for the group? If a Sunsinger could do that, or a Bladedancer, via a Super that would be amazing. How else can you really "explore" this first area, and it would be a good way to "catch up" the guy only just seconds behind and weight x10?
How about the lanterns NOT explode? Just slow their rate of weight reduction or they dim? You go back for a squaddie, and the inevitable: BOOM. Then their orb is halfway across the map - and now covered in claw-swinging friends. WIPE.
We did eventually make it via a mix of Titan Smashes, Sunsinger going back for the downed, and that Saint 14 bubble at the end!!!!!!!!! X-Frame? I bow in obeisance, friend. THAT saved our butts. Titan Bro Fist X 1000.
TLR; I HATE THRALL.
Looking forward to trying the bridge. Oh baby. Anyone in our group 31 yet? Sadly I'm not.