XboxWeb has reviewed Halo and gave it some serious props. Similarly to the Electric Playground review, they also loved the controls. They went insofar as to suggest that Microsoft [could have] specifically designed the controller to suit first person shooters such as Halo.

XboxWeb didn't stop there - not when they felt the audio needed tremendous commendation:

Something that has been overlooked by the astounding gameplay and the breathtaking graphics is the incredibly composed audio. Halo was not degraded by hardcore rock tunes, or cheesy rap motifs. Instead Bungie Software filled Halo full of mesmerizing Gregorian-ish chants. It's amazingly hard to explain how or why the music does such a good job of setting the mood for each and every scene that you are presented with, but it does, and does it very well.

Clearly another victory for Bungie and Microsoft. (Thanks Ferrex)