By now, youve probably heard aboutDestinys divided reception.
Not that we didnt spot problems.
There are a few of them.
And they are serious.
But they are fixable.
Before we start complaining and pointing fingers, we have to consider that no MMO is perfect at launch.
The pieces for a captivating experience are all there.
They just havent come together.
Im confident that will change.
One thingDestinymight never be able to shake, though, is its bigHaloproblem.
Bungies massive game-changing blockbuster has slowly been sinking Bungies new IP since the very start.
Expectations, my friend.
You make something great that people will cherish forever, youre applauded.
Try replicating that over and over, and youre bound to slip somewhere.
How could Bungie possibly deliver?
You cant blame them.
There arent many developers that want to be known for making just one kind of game.
The delivery creates this sort of gross effect within the narrative: some backstory, no story progression.
There is absolutely NOTHING close, not even a little, to a greatHalomoment e.g.
the introduction of The Flood.
Its unfortunate then thatDestinys story is a watered down version ofHalos.
There are SO MANY similarities to its predecessor that the comparisons toHaloare inevitable.
Bungie created a game that cant stand on its own creatively.Destinylacks identity.
Counter alien faction that seeks to kill everyone?
Bungie was even bold enough to name this faction The Hive (remind you of anyone?
).Mysterious wibbly wobbly scifi relic of unknown origin that changes everything the characters know about the universe?
Quirky AI construct that guides you through each mission?
The truth is that your role in the game is closer to locksmith/archaeologist than freedom fighter/galactic superhero.
(By the way, this is about as much story as you get throughout the whole game.)
But inDestiny, this kind of quest will always fall flat.
Its obvious thatDestinywas completely built as a social experience, based around playing the entire game with a squad.
I tend to agree.
Destinys endgame content will begin to fix this last issue.
I like playing this game as a team.
And the shooting is a heck of a lot of fun.
At first playthrough, Bungie got it wrong.
MixingHalowith MMO and action RPG elements doesnt work.
We dont need aHaloMMO with loot.
Id count the game weve played so far as a prologue to the larger things to come.
I prefer Cortana, anyway.
Stay tuned for our official review coming later this week!
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