Halo as Nostalgia Gaming?

[Professor S]

I recently read an interesting set of impressions of Halo3 from IGN

Halo 3's campaign is definitely fun. It's hard to compare Halo 3 to other shooters simply because of the flood of memories playing it brings up. Zipping up a grav-lift to take out a Jackal on top of a platform, busting out a fuel rod gun to take on a Covenant tank, watching smarter marines take up cover -- it's all classic Halo taken to the next level. Now bring on the four player co-op.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/814/814567p1.html


We recently had a lively discussion about the lack of innovation in Halo games, but the author brings up an ineresting point, even though I doubt he understood the possible ramifications of it. Is Halo's trademark gameplay, style and presentation qualify as "classic"? In changing the core gameplay experience, would it do more to alientate/"betray" the majority of gamers than it would to entice them?

Example: I know I still get a sense of excitement and a little adrenaline going every time I hear the now famous music from Halo, and I also think its one of the few games that is made considerably better by the use of music and the timing of it. If they were to rework the score, would I still have that same sense of excitement?

Its an interesting thing to consider when discussing the Halo franchise and its place in gaming.