Gamers at the invitation-only preview gave mixed reviews.
"The graphics can use some work ... They're not much different than the previous Halo," said Nicholas Puleo, editor of gaming news Web site Evilavatar.com.
"They've got five, six months until release, so they'll add some polish ... When I compare it to other things in the platform, it's not standout."
Microsoft held previews in New York and San Francisco on Friday in advance of the public test, or "beta," of the game, which goes live next Wednesday.
