Oh I agree with the DMR...forgot to mention it since you nailed it....DMR was Reach's weapon and nothing more.I agree with pretty much everything you said but the loadouts are still way too COD esque for my liking. The DMR should not be in the game. First off; it has no competitive merit. Nine times out of ten a decent player with land all five shots on to the head of a person, killing them. This gives it the most consistent kill time in the game. You don't have to have a good shot with it because of it's obscene accuracy and range, and single shotting is inherently accurate to begin with. Then the problem with chronology. The DMR was in a prequel. It should not be in any game that chronologically supersedes it (Every game besides Reach basically).
And yeah....while they may be a little Cod Like....I'd say if they keep off the stupid bonus perks and keep it to guns, and maybee a rile or thruster pack I'd say ok...
And with competitive modes they'd just get rid of it so everyone starts the same.
Oh and bring back the real Blood Gulch.....gimme a map with open ground and a tank once more!