don't know if I should carry on...

So I downloaded the MC Collection because I finally wanted to educate myself. I never really jumped on the hype train but I thought it was about time to know what all the fuzz is about. The only Halo game I ever played was Halo 3 ODST. This seems odd probably, but the only reason I played it was because it reminded me of SW Republic Commando - which is one of my fav. games of all time. I did like ODST but don't remember it too much.

Naturally I startet with the first game and I just finished it and I have to say I hated it. I understand that it's an old game but I damn was that game annoying.
1. The level design - holy moly. This is one of the worst level design I've ever experienced and it was frustrating to go through these levels never knowing if I was going into the right direction or what. It felt like the game doesn't really know what it wants to be.
2. The mass killings - towards the end you've got to kill so many enemies, it's honestly just tiering.
3. The Lore - I do like the story (watched some videos also for more content) I love all the cinematic trailers, I love the UNSC designs but those covenant aliens are a bit ridicules. I feel like their design takes a lot of atmosphere away from the game - why do these small ones have so annoying voices and run away all the time. It seems so childish to me.

What I like about it?
1. The UNSC designs
2. The plot itself
3. The physics are fun
4. The gunplay is fun

I don't want to make an assumption based on the very first game since it's quite old and I'm willing to try more games. I heard very good things about reach. Considering my pros and cons, should I invest more time into it or do you think I just won't get it?