what about the hug?

Not really an ending, and therefore does not count.

~D

It's a CLIFFHANGER

Not this time.

~D

Yes indeed this time.

CUTSCENE AFTER CREDITS

Still not a cliffhanger, since there won't be another Halo game with the MC, according to Bungie.

So it really doesn't matter much. Though the guy who found that cutscene only played the game through on Normal, so maybe there's more if it's beaten on Legendary.

~D