If there’s one area where Destiny’s definitely not lacking, it’s in the budget department. You can literally feel the dollar bills bristling against your exposed skin when you sit through the first-person shooter’s opening cinematic; you can sense the dabbed brows and nervous boardroom exchanges as executives wrangle over the rumoured $500 million required to haul the Traveler and its band of intergalactic disciples onto store shelves. As those that loathe Britney Spears and Michael Bay will attest, though, money does not always make a quality product. So, is Bungie’s ambitious adventure any good?
Starting out in rustic Old Russia, the game’s opening moments infuriatingly mirror those of the release’s recent beta, meaning that it’s not until you reach the idyllic greenery of Venus and the dusty expanses of the Moon that you’ll truly feel like you’re seeing something new. As a cross-platform production, the visuals never quite rival the sheer technical grunt of a Killzone: Shadow Fall or an inFAMOUS: Second Son, but outstanding art direction helps to alleviate any graphical shortcomings, with some of the medium’s most impressive skyboxes on display. As a result, there’s a real sense of scale across all aspects of the presentation, even if it’s something of an optical illusion a lot of the time.
Our worry after experiencing the title’s opening hours is that said pretence will ultimately expand to other aspects of the adventure, too. Take the fiction: it’s messy, convoluted, and completely inconsistent. It’s not easy to establish a gigantic sci-fi universe in a few hours, so we remain hopeful that this will come together in time, but Peter Dinklage’s utterly uninterested commentary on a futuristic cliché is not what we had in mind when the former Halo developer spent the entirety of the game’s inaugural unveiling enthusing over the release’s “rich, cinematic” plot. The frustrating thing is that there’s fascinating lore here, we’re just yet to see it presented in an interesting manner.
Exploring the Cosmodrome may be entertaining and all, but the game lacks raw white knuckle spectacle so far
Perhaps the problem is that the game wants you to write your own stories. As a concept, the seamless segues between public spaces and instanced arenas appear innovative, but it’s not a million miles away from the format introduced by Phantasy Star Online almost 15 years ago. To discredit its online achievements so coldly would be unfair, though, and the developer definitely deserves kudos for making its social experience effortless. Connecting with friends requires next to no work at all, while the notifications that alert you of the unexpected presence of a nearby stranger still haven’t lost their lustre after the beta earlier in the year.
But yet we can’t help but feel that this emphasis on online play detracts from the impact of the core campaign; exploring the Cosmodrome may be entertaining and all, but the game lacks the white knuckle spectacle of a mission like ‘The Maw’ – the breakneck final stage in Halo: Combat Evolved which ultimately gave Bungie its name. The studio may argue that Strikes – challenging co-operative objectives that pit you against the title’s toughest enemy waves – fill this void, but we’re yet to get an enormous thrill from the heavily shielded foes that you encounter here; it all seems a teensy bit tedious if we’re being blunt.
Fortunately, that’s not necessarily the fault of the combat itself, which is one of the shining beacons of the first few hours. Plasma rifles snap, crackle, and pop like a popular brand of breakfast cereal, while shotguns scream like an angst-ridden teenager listening to a Marilyn Manson CD. There’s satisfaction to be gleaned from the way that foes expire, too; colourful spray spews from the heads of fallen Dregs, while there’s a real sense of occasion when you finally finish off a Captain – well, until you walk away and everything respawns. This niggling issue is clearly a consequence of the persistent world, but it’s hard to shake the sense that your actions don’t really matter at all.
And whether they do actually mean something is far too early to call. Bungie’s latest has barely been available for 24 hours at this point, and we still have lots of the game to explore. We’re particularly hopeful that its plot and mission design will pick up over the next few hours, but even if it doesn’t, at least we know that there’ll always be plenty of Fallen to off in the expanses of our Solar System. And failing that, we still reckon that dancing in the Tower is some of the most fun that you can currently have on the PS4. We’re not sure whether that’s the kind of accolade that’ll get us a spot on back of the game’s box, but, well, we suppose that it’ll do for now.
Remember, this only represents our early impressions on Destiny, and does not represent our final verdict by any stretch. In saying that, how are you enjoying the first-person shooter? Has it lived up to your initial expectations, or do you feel that it’s been a little overhyped? Point and stare in the comments section below.
Comments 48
I never played the alpha or beta so it's all new to me. I played for a few hours yesterday (up to level 4) on PS3 - due to PS4 upgrade not being immediately available! - and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Graphics are a bit rough around the edges on PS3 so I can't wait to get stuck in on PS4 now that I have the upgrade, after the 16GB install!
DESTINY kinda flopped, too much hype not enough development. The campaign is a shooting gallery and the multiplayer is meh!
I have to say, the story starts to pick up the further that you get. The game is only growing on me at this point.
To anyone who isn't having fun, I say keep playing.
I didn't want Destiny...multiplayer isn't my thing. But since I got given it as a gift I'm giving it a fair go. I'm only an hour in and I like the shooting so far, very satisfying. I've done the intro mission and been to the hub. I'm about to bounce down to old Russia with my level 2 Hunter. I didn't touch the alpha or beta so it's all new to me.
I have finished the campaign and enjoyed it, however I feel that it was rather short on the whole. Don't get me wrong the quality of gun play and environments is stunning, I just feel it lacks length in a generation where games are getting well known for having 30+ hours of gameplay.
So far I've put around a hour or two in and so far, so much replay most of what I've played in the Beta. But even I'm going through a lot of old stuff, it's still bloody fun.
Flopped? It made back $500 million in one day. Wahabaha flopped
I'm still watching Destiny's post launch/love affair status.
played alpha and beta..enjoyed both a lot.. now playing full release and still loving every minute of it..playing with a couple of friends from work(as in the alpha and beta) its just so much fun.even doing the same missions again is FUN!..dont want to go on a rant but i just get the hate surrounding destiny..lol guess the younger generation of gamers just like to hate on stuff and complain because its the cool thing to do...ive been gaming since 1977(really!)and i love every minute i play
@BoltedArc just checked out ur profile and wow 100% negative comments on everything playstation. Don't suppose u r a Microsoft blogger/ fanboy/ paid to troller ?
I'm level 19 and I think I've finished the story, when you get that strangers rifle is it the end??? I think the games great it's no really short, maybe it will get bigger but I expected more and all of the strikes are easy if your the right level they've just got loads of health and the enemy's keep respawing. Also does the raid come out on the 14th?
So i didnt play the alpha or beta so it's all new to me. I'm up to level 3 and am still in old russia and i'm really enjoying. The combat is extremly satisfying to me. I do wish there were more players on to play with. I only ran into 1 random player so far while doing a mission but overall i'm having a blast.
I joined a fire team and early on taking out hordes of dreggs felt really fun. It feels epic and I can see bungie telling this tale slowly across many aeons/expansions. Will destiny 2 be more epic?
I'm enjoying it so far! At level 9 as a Titan now and just finishing up Earth I believe before going to the Moon.
Been pretty much soloing it so far as no friends playing Destiny yet but still pretty fun!
Im loving Destiny to be honest. Im a level 14 Titan and I've just started venus after playing through old Russia and the moon twice due to helping friends catch up. I do feel that the game should be alot bigger but Bungie could easily add extra strory missions or even planets down later, which im sure they will. I like the graphics and love the music and sound effects which sound great through my Turle Beach PX4's. I Haven't tried the PvP yet other than playing it on the beta/alpha but im sure I'll enjoy that too.
@GlobalWolfie If you want someone to play Destiny with add me I'll
PSN ID wardie3223
@ShogunRok That's good to hear. Do the missions get better? I feel like all I'm doing is running to destinations, killing a bunch of bullet sponges, and then repeating ad infinitum. It's a good thing the weapons are absolutely top-notch.
I guess im the only one tired of hearing about this game.
@Subie98
No, you are not. I am too. VERY tired.
I do hope the game ends up being good, but it's clearly not a must-buy regardless. A lot of "reviews in progress" are bringing up the same complaints as Sammy had. The online only thing, for me, pretty much kills it. We'll see.
@Godsire- Make no mistake, there are negatives that I've encountered so far, but the whole thing is polished to perfection. It really is incredible in that regard. Every little detail has been obsessed over - you can tell!
@Godsire- its all im seeing on here on push square. Its so over the top. Im all for fps but this is out of hand. Dunno.
*edit * maybe not all im seeing but is 90%. I just need more variety to read than about destiny.
@Subie98 Don't worry, it's just because it's the big release this week. Things will naturally slow down over the coming days.
I'm finding the game pretty repetitive so far to be honest so I hope I get some variety soon. It's still worth plodding on with but I'm pleased my copy of Destiny was a gift because I'd be far less happy with the experience so far if I'd dropped £45 of my own money on it. The guns are fun but the loop of enemies spawn, shoot them, they respawn, shoot them, they respawn, shoot them...get bored and go poking around in a dark hole, meet badass higher class enemy run away or die, is getting on my nerves already and I'm only at level 4.
I already beat the story it was short fealt like a longer version of the beta what a waste of money
Seems like a pretty fair assessment, to be honest...
Probably my favorite PS4 game so far. We'll see if that holds up. I actually like how the story telling is done, though clearly not at the level of Naughty Dog or early Bioware games, it's good enough for an FPS.
Oh man I fired it up for the first time and only played about 20 mins of it and its exactly the same everything from the beta. Nothing changed, which is so wierd I didn't even feel like going any further. Man it was over hyped, I guess the beta ruined it for me. If I never played the beta I would be pleased with it. But the world is so big but so quiet and empty that its just awkward to me. Welp now its up to FarCry 4 to save 2014 for me, but I highly doubt Ubusoft will be able to top FarCry 3 so I'm pessimistic about it.
@Dohv
I'd say stick with it before completely writing it off. Unless you didn't enjoy the beta content.
@Gamer83 I did enjoy the beta but I just hate the fact that so far I'm playing through the same exact thing as the beta. I expected it to be at least a but different. I'll definitely be sticking with it, I never write off a game that quick. I'll try to get more into this weekend when I have time.
@Dohv
The downfall of not allowing saves to carry over unfortunately but that's always the way it's been. I just got to the Moon and the game is picking up a bit, hopefully the same happens for you.
people saying its same as the beta..of course its the same!(alpha was the same too)why would you expect it to be different?...you played the beta to help test the game and give feedback and just get a feel for the game, second part of the beta was testing the server load..seems like for some people this was the first beta they have played...on side note., i watched the last couple of minutes to midnight count down(destiny pre installed on my hard drive) and i started the game literally a second after midnight..no connection issues at all and none over the past couple of days.. congrats to sony and bungie on that one!
@get2sammyb
Yea but like a Michael Bay film, I don't just want something that looks good. I want sonething with substance & a good story. I am just not sure this is my cup of tea, so to speak.
Who knows though? Most MMO type games struggle out of the gate with some things. I am assuming Destiny is going to be around long enough to evolve as time goes on.
A question I have is w/ people hitting the level cap already, is this going to be one of those games where Bungie held back content & then they will release DLC to make $ & then raise the level cap.
If that's the case, I wouldn't be surprised considering the cost of making the game, the online only nature of the title, & the greed in the industry these days. But still......I hope that's not the case.
@Dohv Its gets much better when you get to Venus. Im really starting to enjoy it.
@Godsire Bungie never held back dlc to make money. That was Microsoft, they were the publishers for Bungie's previous games. Now its Activisions turn to do the same lol. First dlc incoming this December.
The co-op side to this game is great if you have the right people to play with, but if there's a mis-match of levels then it's pretty much broken... I got to level 10 with someone on the first day, but by the time I got on last night he was up to level 14. I joined his game but couldn't do anything, even shooting at dregs came up as immune because I was a few levels lower, so I gave up on that and quit.
Then I had a look at my friend list to see who else I could team up with, but the was no one else around the right level. No point me joining a level 6 for example as I would just dominate everything and ruin the fun for the other player.
I ended up just doing some crucible and then a strike with randoms.
I've found the companion app to be quite interesting tbh. Reading about all the different factions of the fallen, and the lore of the universe as a whole is adding a lot of layers to the experience.
In regards to the game, it definitely gets better around Venus. I finally stopped trying to break neck through the game last night and took a bit of a wander through the moon and Venus, and found quite a few hidden secrets/awesome loot. Personally I'm really happy with the game, and I think it's gonna be one of those games that improves with age, community, and content.
@WARDIE
And Activision is, arguably, the worst publisher at "whoring" anything they can to make more $. They single handedly killed off the music game genre by releasing countless expansions, DLC, & controllers & overcharged for all of it. And we've all seen what they have done to the once great, 'Call Of Duty' series. Absolutely ran it into the ground & ruined 'Infinity Ward' in the process.
Hopefully they don't do the same with Bungie.
I have to say I was skeptical at first too, but after reaching Level 19 yesterday together with a bunch of friends I have to say that I already the the best bossfights I ever had in any game and that the multiplayer is awesomely fast paced yet nicely balanced. I'm loving it so far. Repetition or "lack" of story presentation is of no concern to me, I also love Diablo... Monster Hunter, so I actually like the "grind". This is what I was expecting to get, as I always was well informed and kept expectations in check. Head over to metacritic and read the comments there to realize what a crappy breed of dung we people are!
Quite mixed impressions in here. I agree that trudging through all the beta is stuff is pretty dull. It's part of why I don't like betas that much, to be honest. I appreciate that they're important for the developer, but, yeah, I always feel like I'm spoiling myself a bit.
@bbq_boy to be honest im very upset at how destiny turned out, I was hoping bungie would be more creative, I don't want anything to fail especially new IP's but it seems even with more power the devs can't seem to produce anything worth while, if you noticed how negative I've been then you should look at the games I've commented on and the disappointment that not just me but alot of people have, I haven't commented on the ps4 it self saying it was garbage only the third parties which aren't affiliated with sony, just because its negative doesn't mean troll it means some people don't sugar coat what they say from what they seen or played, if you get enjoyment from destiny im happy you are enjoying your self but don't label others just because their views are different. These games aren't zeros but they aren't no where near a 10 or 8!
@hadlee73 didnt get near this many articles. Been coming here for the past couple years and dont recall many getting this much attention. Hope people are enjoying the game though
I didn't play any of the betas so went into this not knowing anything. Have given it a couple of hours but I have to say I'm really nor impressed. It feels so Repetitive. Nothing about it it's making me really want to
Come back n get stuck in . I'll give it proper time but when I've nothing else to play
@teknium_ I agree, ive been gaming since late 80 s and this sort of game was what I used to dream about.
For me the shooting mechanics are miles above other shooters, graphics are good and the loading screens are a nice touch .
No complaints here, exactly what I expected from Bungie, halo but with more options and sense of freedom.
someone on another site asked what the most disappointing thing, regarding gaming, has been in 2014..my reply was that the only thing disappointing about 2014(and the previous 7 years or more) is the actual gamers(not all.. but a large percentage of)..ive been gaming since 1977 when i got my first console and i still play pretty much everyday with the same passion and excitement ive always got from gaming.. seems we are a dying breed zep_fan..or it could be we just arent cool enough to hate on every game released...
@teknium_ true, my sentiments exactly. Like you ive gamed every day for years and to be honest ive never felt more excited about the hobby than at the moment! I really am curious to what this holy grail of games is because they seem to hate most other offerings. Don't mean to sound too old but the games now are what I longed for as a kid and its rather sad to see them so harshly judged when they really are absolute works of art. Maybe virtual reality is what people long for... Destiny sparked my imagination and thats satisfying for me. Enjoy the hobby, thats all it is kids.
summed up perfectly..thank you
Cheers squire:-)
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