Yes it does.bigfatcarp93 said:Actually, Reach never technically contradicts the books.somerandomguy76 said:Halo:Reach.
To anyone that read the novels/comics, Reach's story was a travesty. The additional media created a detailed and intriguing set of interactions which the game proceeded to stomp all over. It'll be interesting to see if 343 Industries continues the trend or pays homage to the ending of The Ghosts of Onyx.
First there is the fact that the Chief was not in Cryo-sleep at the beginning of the invasion, he was in orbit the entire time while the rest of the squad was on the ground. Him and two others were fighting Elites in orbit above the planet as the rest of the squad fought down below, he gets put into Cryo-sleep when the Pillar of Autumn leaves the battle. Cortana has been with the Chief and on-board the ship since before the battle.
In the game the Pillar of Autumn is on the ground right up until the very end of the fight, it leaves just before the world is glassed and the Chief is in Cryo-sleep already as it leaves. Cortana is delivered to the POA by Noble Six.
Then there is the fact that all Spartan II's are accounted for and under the Chief's command. George is apparently a Spartan II, and yet is in a squad made up of Spartan III's. Halsey sees these Spartans and does not find anything odd about it.
This goes against the books where not only does Halsey have no idea about the III's existence, she knows each and every Spartan by name, so there is no way she would fail to note that, and she'd also question why George was there rather than with the Chief and his unit.