In general, I mentally lump game soundtracks into two three categories. The first has music so great, it stands on its own and I want to listen to it outside of the game. The second has great music in the context of the game, but which doesn't really make for great listening outside of it. And the last is just not very good music.
Right now, based on these samples, this sounds like the second category. Perhaps when I've played the game and have contextualized the music, it will resonate with me more, but what I'm hearing is really solid, stylish action music. I kinda wish they'd released a greater range of music; all the tracks have about the same level of urgency to them. I'm curious whether there are any quieter, more emotional tracks, or which create a different feeling audio landscape (mystery, suspense, etc.).
I really dig the sound of it, if that makes sense. There are some great sounds in the mix and the tracks feel like they are cohesively from the same body of work.
I do hope the Halo theme makes some kind of return. I associated it partly with Halo, but primarily with the Master Chief. It would just be wrong to bring the Chief back and not in any way feature the theme that we associate with him.
