I think most of us are in agreement that Halo has always had great music, and that something was lacking in Halo 4, causing many to immediately jump at 343’s throat for changing the composer and style. However, I actually enjoyed Halo 4’s soundtrack, and even if it wasn’t the same as the Halo we love, I don’t think it was the problem.
What First brought me to Halo as a little 5 year old kid was hearing the music blast across my house as my older brother was excitedly flying through the climactic sections of combat evolved. I would sit beside him and get nearly as excited as he was. The musical intensity and volume would fluctuate immensely, causing me to get all giddy. THAT is what I first knew Halo for.
Bungie’s time with Halo kept the musical trend, but when it came to Halo 4 things changed. I spent the entire game waiting for the big climax, and sure it came in the form of a heartbreaking plot element, cool visuals and cutscenes, good writing, and music, BUT, even though there was some cool music at the climaxes it still felt like background music. I know that I have the option to go and change individual music volumes, but the sound wasn’t DESIGNED to be a centerpiece. A huge miss in my opinion.
I know this whole rant has been pretty pointless so far, but I would like to get my whole point out now. To me it seemed as though Bungie’s halo relied on a revolving FOCUS on gameplay, visuals, story, AND music. I never felt as though the music in halo 4 was really front and center; something that left an empty spot in my Halo experience as a whole.
I felt like the music was awesome, but very much in the background like you stated.
There’s only one true way to make the player feel the game:
Have excessive controller vibration.