Bungie has issues with storytelling, but I think their biggest problem is delivering interesting characterizations *. I'm worried about this Spartan squad. I'm worried that some or all of them will die and I won't give a crap. And the dramatic narrative will hinge on the faulty assumption that I would give a crap.

Ooh, but look. They replaced the Pelicans with an eminently more pilot-able aerial transport vehicle. Now why would they go to all that trouble? I wonder.

* Excluding the Chief and his minimalistically stoic persona.