'Destiny' Lacks Variety

Jeb Haught
Thu, 18 Sep 2014 21:00:00 -0700
Lifestyle

DEVELOPER: Bungie

PUBLISHER: Activision

SYSTEM: Sony PlayStation 4 (Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360)
Updated: Fri Sep 19, 2014

DEVELOPER: Bungie

PUBLISHER: Activision

SYSTEM: Sony PlayStation 4 (Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360)

PRICE: $59.99

ESRB RATING: Teen

REVIEW RATING: 3.5 stars (out of 5)

Combining game genres is pretty common in the video game industry. Sometimes it even creates a brand new genre, like the MMO shooter. Sadly, Activision's latest game, titled "Destiny," is much more shooter than MMO. In fact, there's little else players can do besides shoot stuff by themselves or with a few other players.

Let's begin with the story, which is not engaging in the slightest! Seven hundred years in the future, mankind enters a new Golden Age and spreads out through the galaxy. An alien threat extinguishes mankind's presence on all planets but Earth, where the mysterious Traveler protects humans. Players take on the role of a newly resurrected grunt soldier called a Guardian as he or she struggles to fight aliens and to protect the Traveler.

I imagine that the story would be mildly entertaining if it weren't told in such an uninteresting manner! Other than a few cool cut scenes, the story is conveyed through missions that all seem to have the same layout; go to "X" location, deploy floating, talking cube (Ghost) to analyze object, destroy hordes of aliens that attack. Wash, rinse, repeat. Variety is the spice of life, and "Destiny" could use a lot more spice!

Many of the non-story missions have the same structure, but at least the Strike missions have some variety. These missions team players up with two other random players in a dungeon-type scenario where players kill mobs of enemies and then a boss of some sort. They're definitely more challenging and more rewarding than most of the other mission types.

Unfortunately, the inclusion of three classes doesn't offer much variety in game play. The Titan is the basic soldier, who prefers heavy weaponry and melee attacks, while the Hunter is reminiscent of a classic bounty hunter. Warlocks combine special powers with weaponry to inflict heavy damage. All of these classes have limited skills and can choose from alternate skills once they reach level 15. With only two skill trees, the only real variety between players is their gear.

As for the game play itself, "Destiny's" shooting is top-notch! Blasting enemies feels very familiar to anyone who's played "Halo" due to the tight controls and excellent visual effects. It only took a few seconds to master the controls and start slaying aliens!

I also enjoy the large-scale environments that are gorgeous to behold and even more fun to traverse using the Sparrow, which is basically a speedy hovercraft. It's just too bad that there is absolutely nothing to do in these environments other than seek missions, deploy the ghost and kill enemies. The disappointment is exacerbated by having to revisit the same locations over and over.

Fortunately, the Crucible offers plenty of competitive action that's sure to satiate even the most hardcore gamer. Gamers are sure to stay busy fighting on 10 multiplayer maps that offer four different modes (Skirmish, Rumble, Clash, Control). It can be frustrating to face enemies that are several levels above you, but overall it's pretty fun.

So where are the MMO elements? They're few and far between, and they certainly don't involve much socialization. Sure you can team up with two players for coop fun, and up to six total players for multiplayer and raids, but there's no way to chat with someone. Social interaction is the main stay of an MMO, and "Destiny" is seriously lacking in this regard. As a result, environments seem lifeless, the social hub is boring, and the game ends up being a one-trick pony.

REVIEW SCORING SYSTEM

5 stars = Must Have

4 stars = Very Good

3 stars = Above Average

2 stars = Bargain Bin

1 star = Don't Bother

RATINGS KEY

Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB)

E: (Everyone)

E10+: (Everyone 10 and older)

T: Teen (13 and older)

M: Mature (17 and older)

"Destiny"

"Destiny2"