I’ve always wanted to squeeze more out of my favorite Halo game by taking the final chapter of The Maw on foot wherever possible and battling my way past the Flood and Covies rather than just running them over.
It would be an awesome addition if there was a switch we could flip or start menu option that would stop the timer (maybe it would unlock once we beat the level on Legendary?) and let us take the level at our own pace and explore it fully and fight all the battles.
Pib, the timer at the end is what makes The Maw the “grande finale.” You have to race against the clock while traversing through the Autumn’s interior and pushing your way through Covenant, Sentienals, and Flood. That would be the last thing they would get rid of.
Outside of the very final room (which you should still have 1-2 minutes to explore if you are quick) There really isn’t anything interesting that takes you more than 10 seconds out of the run to see, like Rex or the Grunt.
Honestly, there isn’t much exploration space there.