Choose Your Destiny
by Phoenix, HSM team writer
I’ve been saving the world from the Darkness since September 9th. I’ve been playing Destiny.
When I started the game, I was excited, since I’d played the beta in July. I was fortunate enough to have received the game from my loving son who gets a kick out of telling his friends, “My mom is a gamer!”
Anyway, I’ve been addicted to Destiny since it released. I am now level 20, with level-20 light armor. My sister and I are about to hit the Vault of Glass hard.
It’s been interesting to watch the likes and dislikes from both factions. Any time you have a new IP that’s this massive, with the kind of marketing campaign that is almost never seen, you’re going to have polarizing results. On average, the newest Bungie offering has received consistent ratings under 8; a 7.8 rating from IGN, 7.7 from Metacritic, and a 76.29% from GameRankings.com. Not what Bungie or Activision were hoping for.
The thing is, it’s what was to be expected; even I could see that, and I’m not a long time shooter fan. Because Destiny stands out, the reason for its attention is different to everyone that plays it. But I have to question: were the reviews out too soon after the game’s release? Bungie could easily be criticized for its unusual step or cautioning its audience that the game takes a while to truly unfold — an attempt at covering up bland initial gameplay design? — but it’s also well-known that reviewers usually don’t have time to play a game all the way through; they’re simply too busy, with too many titles to cover, and thus their reviews are usually formed on the basis of the first few hours of gameplay.
PhoenixStorm Warlock
Many of the reviews and comments I’ve read about Destiny have been concerned with the “what is it” aspect of the game. Is Destiny an MMO shooter, or is it a RPG? I understand the thought that it has elements of both, so there may be some confusion — but why? The only time you can see your complete avatar self is in the tower, in a cutscene or when in super charge, so unless you stay all day in the tower, dancing, then no: it isn’t an RPG. Once you complete your interactions with the game’s NPCs, then the tower holds nothing truly interactive. The action is on the planets and the moon, and here you are in first-person mode.
Another issue I saw presented by gamers and reviewers was the idea that Destiny has no storyline — or, more accurately, not enough storyline for the game, given the scope it aspires to. I disagree. Though there is admittedly little storyline to follow, there is a story — disjointed, yes, but nonetheless present. The story is of the Traveler and it’s mysterious appearance on Earth, as well as the Darkness and the enemies included in its appearance. Once there, the Traveler ushered in a time of utopian existence for humans. All this was shattered when the Darkness, a pursuer of the Traveler, found it and began its assault.
Enemy Grimoire Card cover
Unraveling Destiny‘s story could take years. I just hope that players choose to stick around that long. Knowing that Bungie strung Xbox players along with Halo, I wonder if they have it in them to do it again. I hope so.
Each mission also has some discussion on what is discovered about the Darkness and what happened to the Traveler. Though your Ghost seems almost as uninformed as you are, I have my doubts about his true level of knowledge. As long as it takes him to hack into the data we steal, I suspect he knows a great deal more than he tells. Anyway, if this story is to last and carry on through the planned updates and game additions, then it cannot be revealed all in the first game. But if you just can’t wait, try reading your Grimoire cards. These cards are its pages. But I warn you: spoilers lurk there.
Bungie has, I think, left a great deal vague for a reason. In this way, each player discovers what spurs them on at their own pace.
One of the oddest complaints I’ve read so far is that Destiny is too repetitive.
Okay, stop.
Destiny is a shooter.
Every shooter is repetitive by nature of it being A SHOOTER GAME. The mechanics, weapon types and character classes are all going to feel very familiar to anyone who’s played a shooter. Criticize the lack of variety if you wish, but understand the core genre you’re working within.
As for the complaint of not being able to communicate with anyone not on your fireteam…isn’t unwanted trash-talking the classic complaint about AAA shooters? How many people cite being annoyed with listening to children run their mouths in multiplayer shooter games as a reason why they choose to stay away? So no, I don’t mind not being able to hear anyone’s and everyone’s conversation in game. My fireteam members have been able to warn me (without interference), and I them, when they didn’t see a lurking danger. So that’s a win, in my opinion.
Lastly: whether or not Destiny is a first-person shooter MMO or an RPG. Doesn’t matter to me. It is an enjoyable game to play for hours on end; I don’t need to put it in a box. Whether Destiny is a failure of a game critically remains to be seen; commercially, it appears to have no problem making back its investment (and then some). The acid test comes when the next Destiny installment is released; if sales are slow, it may be assumed it was due to the overall dislike of the first installment.
Destiny may groan and creak under its own aspirations, but it’s far from a failure. And I suspect we’ll be talking about this IP for quite some time.
September 24th, 2014 by Phoenix | 4 comments
Phoenix writes poetry and is a photography enthusiast, along with writing for HomeStation Magazine. She is currently studying for a BFA in Creative Writing and BA with concentration in Photography. psn ID phoenixstorm21
youtube.com/user/phoenixstorm21
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Thanks for joining us for the PlayStation MVP event on Sunday- http://community.us.playstation.com/t5/PlayStation-Home/EVENT-Destiny-Game-Launch/td-p/44502400
It is a very addictive game. Olivia finally put down GTA6 and is playing Destiny to. Us three need to fire team up and deal out some pain. As much as I didn’t like people who used the fusion gun in Crucible while playing in the beta- the enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Ooh Cool, Ollie will love it I’m sure!
Your event was cool too. I will be glad to join the next one and bring my sister with me. We have never been to the Crucible. Just been playing the planet missions and Rumble and the strikes.
It was great seeing you both there Sunday. I’m usually not a big shooter fan myself, but Destiny might be a must have.
Good to see you too. It seems Destiny has that effect on ppl. I would tell anyone thinking about it to try it. Sue is planning another meet up.