I think Reach, like the launch version of Halo 2, has some fixes that need to be made in order for it to survive on the competitive scene. I would give the game a much different review than the average Halo fan. What killed halo 3 was a laggy hit box, the BR spread, overall poor map design, and the RNG (random number generator).
The initial launch version of Reach did eliminate many of these problems. They have completely fixed the hit box were it is as perfect as you could ask for. Bullets no longer fall victim to random spread or the RNG. If you lose a head to head battle, there is nobody to blame but yourself, whereas in Halo 3, the reasons I previously mentioned eliminated much of the skill involved in the game, because no matter how good you are, you would still be depending on the Halo gods granting you luck.
I love the introduction of the bloom. It gives the wielder of weapons much more skill potential.
So far I am unimpressed with the initial launch maps for Reach. I like the remakes, but for some reason the new maps just aren't as good.
I could keep going and going, and to be honest I haven't played as much Reach as I would have liked to at this point, I have been really busy lately. Here's my profile.
Reach Profile
If you want any specific opinion on the game just ask, so I don't waste you time with my rambling.
Overall my order of best halo games goes in this order. I have only played in one halo 3 tourny. I won the FFA and team 4v4, but the game was so terrible I couldn't bring myself to keep playing the terrible game.
1. Halo 2
2. Halo 1
3. Reach (close 3rd) - Reach has the potential to pass H1, depending on the changes they make with future patches.
4. Halo 3 (distant distant 4th)