The initial critic reviews are in for the first two episodes of the long-awaited Paramount+ “Halo” adaptation, and as of writing, Rotten Tomatoes has it at a rating of 60% based on 15 reviews. The consensus seems to be that while it isn’t entirely great or bad, it doesn’t replicate or better what fans loved about the source material.

Entertainment Weekly notes that the series lacks “moments of real awe” that the original “Halo” game inspired, which applies to the special effects and the bland story. The Hollywood Reporter has similar comments, calling the special effects “respectable but unremarkable” and the story “generic.”

While the AV Club also commented on the lackluster writing and “sense of cheapness,” they also noted that there are bright spots, like the chemistry between the Master Chief (Pablo Shreiber) and his new sidekick, Kwan (Yerin Ha). Fans and viewers will get a chance to pass their own judgment on the series’ potential when it premieres on March 24th.