[Review] Destiny: Not the Ghost with the Most

SBFord

You are brought back from the dead in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. This could be the plot for any number of science fiction movies or novels but it’s the start to Bungie’s highly anticipated new intellectual property Destiny. Your Ghost, voiced by actor Peter Dinklage of Death at a Funeral and Underdog fame, prods you back to life and informs you that he needs your help. You are a guardian and have been brought back to help defend mankind and the Traveler, a benevolent entity from outer space that showed up on Mars one day, from a universal evil known as, “The Darkness.” It’s from space, it is evil, and it’s dark in space so why wouldn’t it be known as the Darkness?  Apparently you can make this stuff up.

Read more of Rob Lashley's Destiny: Not the Ghost with the Most.

Battlerock

You listed the ui as a pro then in the ratings you said the ui needs work. Hahahahah, without "graphics" calculation and "polish" it seems a 7 is generously given, we got a $500,000,000 pile. Good job Bungie, way to fail.

Arawulf

Great review. As an MMO player, I would have liked to have seen more social features built into the game. The campaign was far too short and it was disappointing to see cut scenes in some of the promotional materials that aren't in the final game. Destiny could have been great and still could be depending on how they handle future development. For now the game is certainly fun to play (especially PvP in my opinion) but overall feels like its missing a lot of content that should be there. 7 is probably the score I would give as well.

BillMurphy

Originally posted by Battlerock

You listed the ui as a pro then in the ratings you said the ui needs work. Hahahahah, without "graphics" calculation and "polish" it seems a 7 is generously given, we got a $500,000,000 pile. Good job Bungie, way to fail.

Fixed. The UI needing polish was supposed to reference the SOCIAL UI, our bad. Corrected.

DeniZg

I agree with the review, however, author did forget one important thing(s).

Not a word on sound&music? 

Destiny has some of the best sounds and music I have experienced in a game, which coupled with fantastic visuals creates really immersive gameplay.

 

mayito7777

Well the company that made this game is spending millions of dollars in TV commercials portraying this game as the best thing ever under the Sun.

kabitoshin

Originally posted by mayito7777

Well the company that made this game is spending millions of dollars in TV commercials portraying this game as the best thing ever under the Sun.

Activision always does this with their games they publish, they are the kings of marketing hype.

Grakulen

Originally posted by DeniZg

Not a word on sound&music? 

Destiny has some of the best sounds and music I have experienced in a game

That's a good point. We really don't have that as a specific category though. If anything I guess it would affect the polish score but I'd still leave it where it is. That said the soundtrack and the ambient sounds in this game are fantastic. With or without the Paul McCartney song at the end.

 

kabitoshin

Well this games like a mediocre MMO launch, lets just hope that Bungie makes the game better with expansions over time.

Battlerock

Originally posted by BillMurphy


Originally posted by Battlerock

You listed the ui as a pro then in the ratings you said the ui needs work. Hahahahah, without "graphics" calculation and "polish" it seems a 7 is generously given, we got a $500,000,000 pile. Good job Bungie, way to fail.

Fixed. The UI needing polish was supposed to reference the SOCIAL UI, our bad. Corrected.

 

No problem brother, I kind of felt like something was up like that.

Yaevindusk

 

I guess that I could say that it did good for being what it is?  But to me, what it is is a pretty shallow game that took MMO mechanics and placed them into a 20 hour game with a lot of RNG to increase longevity and no real storytelling or lore (at least to the degree I would expect / want... especially when they once said they want such to be a rival to Star Wars).  Though I only played it due to my brother sending me his copy; was planning on buying the PC version when it came out, but that's not looking likely.

 

A ten year plan means the game might be good in the future.  It doesn't mean that it's good now.

 

parpin

good review..the game might get better with expansion so ill wait when it is cheaper with all expansions, i might get it next year, but right now it is not worth the money.

laserit

There is a fine line between leaving your customer's wanting for more--vs--leaving them pissed off because they didn't get enough.

 

Kotick is walking a fine line with this one. I think the business plan he has in mind for this game sucks balls as far as your wallet is concerned. Activision's trying to give you less for more.

 

I'm quite surprised:

 

I have a 20, 18 and 17 year old sons, all of whom are hardcore gamer's and not one of them could give a crap about Destiny. My youngest was a total COD fan but after the last release, he says he's done with it. My youngest being an FPS nut, I'm totally flabbergasted that he has no interest in Destiny. I know he would be playing if his friends were.

 

If these upcoming DLC's are 15$-20$ for 5 hours worth of content... I hope consumer's are intelligent enough to tell Activision where they can stick it. 

 

 

CrazKanuk

"So while some may say the writing is horrible, I wouldn’t got that far."

Is this ironic? Lol.

The one thing that I do appreciate with MMORPG.com is that they at least provide a breakdown of their scorecard. I mean nothing pisses me off more than a completely subjective article that focuses on a couple key factors and seemingly rates a game on that. 

 

That being said, the rating system also allows room for direct criticism of specific points. For instance, what are we rating longevity on? The actual campaign is 20 hours, but the person who attained the maximum level (30) took 107 hours to do so. If we're basing it solely on campaign content, then in relation to what? Other shooters? Honestly, this campaign is twice as long as an average shooter. Plus there is weekly and daily missions & events, PvP, etc. Also, they have been releasing content updates on a weekly basis so far. If this continues, it might be the most agile and aggressive release schedule I think I've seen. 

 

Secondly, based on everything above, the Value score is completely ridiculous. First of all, you need to know what you're talking about. PS+ and XBLive are required to play online with MANY games. Both Sony and Microsoft were actually quite transparent about their intentions to have any game including online play to require their subscription services for the next gen consoles. Actually, the PS3 version of Destiny does NOT require PS+, so you have that as an option if you want to get more value. Also, they offered a free digital upgrade from PS3 to PS4 or XB360 to XB1 if you ordered it digitally, so that's a great value, plus they said they will not be deactivating the previous gen version when you do upgrade (confirmed by me). I actually bought the digital PS3 version specifically for this. I have 2 PS3s and 2 PS4s and 4 kids. So for value for my $$$ that digital version is like a god send!!!! Can they all play at the same time? Ummm hell yes they can! 

 

Continuing on the value train, the majority of shooters these days consist of a short campaign and rely heavily on their multiplayer. Again, the campaign in Destiny is much longer than the average shooter, it offers the same multiplayer, plus it extends the gameplay by offering PvE content such as dungeons and raids that are geared to your level, so you can, effectively, choose your difficulty. 

 

One last thing on value. You took a dig at DLC but, again, every game these days releases with Season Pass pre-purchases for $40 or $50. Normally what this means for FPS player is that we get 4 or 5 multiplayer maps each quarter. There has NEVER been, in my memory an FPS that actually offered additional story missions. Fact: It's just too expensive to develop additional story missions. However, for the same dollar amount Destiny is saying they will be offering maps, plus story content, plus PvE content (ie raids/dungeons). Huh..... Something here seems amiss. 

 

So, yeah, sorry, I think you've got to give your head a shake on both Longevity and Value. The two are closely tied, but you've got your scores completely wrong. 

 

Innovation is kinda up in the air. I think you make it feel like Destiny is beating a dead horse here, but I'd challenge you to name 5 games that you feel are identical to Destiny. 

 

I tend to agree with you on polish. Gameplay, I would have rated higher because the actual "shooter" mechanics are just so good. However, I probably would have overlooked some of the enemy AI issues you brought up. However, I will say that they do manage to scale the AI better with later content, but I suppose a lot of the challenge oils down to managing swarms of enemies over dealing with difficult AI. 

 

laserit

Originally posted by CrazKanuk

 

Continuing on the value train, the majority of shooters these days consist of a short campaign and rely heavily on their multiplayer. Again, the campaign in Destiny is much longer than the average shooter, it offers the same multiplayer, plus it extends the gameplay by offering PvE content such as dungeons and raids that are geared to your level, so you can, effectively, choose your difficulty. 

 

One last thing on value. You took a dig at DLC but, again, every game these days releases with Season Pass pre-purchases for $40 or $50. Normally what this means for FPS player is that we get 4 or 5 multiplayer maps each quarter. There has NEVER been, in my memory an FPS that actually offered additional story missions. Fact: It's just too expensive to develop additional story missions. However, for the same dollar amount Destiny is saying they will be offering maps, plus story content, plus PvE content (ie raids/dungeons). Huh..... Something here seems amiss. 

 

 

So because most FPS's are a rip job, that means it's ok for Destiny an FPS-RPG to be one?  

I guess Dev's were just more talented in the past. They could make an FPS, add more maps for free and still make a killer profit. So much so that so that they created a multi-billion dollar industry that's now bigger than the movie's.

 

Whats amiss is that many consumer's are not happy with the quantity they are being delivered for what they're forking out. This includes other franchises in the FPS genre as well.

jmcdermottuk

How, if the social and communications is lacking as stated in the cons, does Social score a 6?

I think this is another carefully worded review aimed at not pissing off the publisher.

Nevulus

Originally posted by CrazKanuk

 There has NEVER been, in my memory an FPS that actually offered additional story missions. 

Borderlands 1, borderlands 2.

 

Just like that I proved your entire reply invalid. There are many FPS with 16-40 hour gameplay content, and NOT just multiplayer maps. Stop defending a money-grab. It's NOT OK for companies to rip people off and purposely break down content into day/week one DLCs. 

If you think it's OK to rip the consumer off with multiple DLCs & broken stories, then YOU ARE THE PROBLEM.

 

CrazKanuk

Originally posted by laserit

Originally posted by CrazKanuk

 

Continuing on the value train, the majority of shooters these days consist of a short campaign and rely heavily on their multiplayer. Again, the campaign in Destiny is much longer than the average shooter, it offers the same multiplayer, plus it extends the gameplay by offering PvE content such as dungeons and raids that are geared to your level, so you can, effectively, choose your difficulty. 

 

One last thing on value. You took a dig at DLC but, again, every game these days releases with Season Pass pre-purchases for $40 or $50. Normally what this means for FPS player is that we get 4 or 5 multiplayer maps each quarter. There has NEVER been, in my memory an FPS that actually offered additional story missions. Fact: It's just too expensive to develop additional story missions. However, for the same dollar amount Destiny is saying they will be offering maps, plus story content, plus PvE content (ie raids/dungeons). Huh..... Something here seems amiss. 

 

 

So because most FPS's are a rip job, that means it's ok for Destiny an FPS-RPG to be one?  

I guess Dev's were just more talented in the past. They could make an FPS, add more maps for free and still make a killer profit. So much so that so that they created a multi-billion dollar industry that's now bigger than the movie's.

 

Whats amiss is that many consumer's are not happy with the quantity they are being delivered for what they're forking out. This includes other franchises in the FPS genre as well.

Then what's the context? How is it that we grade these equally inferior, content-lacking, games 8/10, 9/10 year-over-year? 

 

Also, what a distorted "value" system we have these days. I can't take my family to the movies for less than $100. Shoot, I'd be lucky to have a night out with my wife (dinner and a movie) for less than $100. 

 

I used the FPS genre as a fair, contextually-specific comparison. If I'm making a 2D side-scroller, I could create something procedurally-generated and make you play infinitely. Does that mean it's a greater value? Or does it provide more longevity? Shoot, these days, most 3D games, in general, are less than 20 hours. Check out howlongtobeat.com. 

 

I think that what you're looking for is unrealistic. You're asking for a game that will provide you with an amount of content that is unreasonable based on it's peers. It's all about context. Sorry. Maybe since Destiny blurs the line or suffers from an identity-crisis, they open themselves up for that, but make no mistake, this IS a good value and it does provide more longevity than many games. Sorry, just a fact. 

Grakulen

Originally posted by jmcdermottuk

How, if the social and communications is lacking as stated in the cons, does Social score a 6?

I think this is another carefully worded review aimed at not pissing off the publisher.

It's because it is extremely easy to play with people that are already your friends on PSN and XBox Live. It also has the dynamic events in the open world "patrol" maps that groups of people can converge on and play together. The match making for Strikes and PvP is also functional. 6 is a below average and failing score. Compared to what most MMO gamers are used to, however, it is not up to snuff. 

laserit

Originally posted by Nevulus

Originally posted by CrazKanuk

 There has NEVER been, in my memory an FPS that actually offered additional story missions. 

Borderlands 1, borderlands 2.

 

Just like that I proved your entire reply invalid. There are many FPS with 16-40 hour gameplay content, and NOT just multiplayer maps. Stop defending a money-grab. It's NOT OK for companies to rip people off and purposely break down content into day/week one DLCs. 

If you think it's OK to rip the consumer off with multiple DLCs & broken stories, then YOU ARE THE PROBLEM.

 

Amen

 

To think FPS's used to be single player and coop player campaign's with multiplayer pvp tacked on the end. They even had level editor's that let you make you own maps to share with the community for free.

Grakulen

Originally posted by CrazKanuk

Maybe since Destiny blurs the line or suffers from an identity-crisis, they open themselves up for that,

I would agree with this statement. 

jusomdude

Hmmm, if the game keeps getting low reviews I hope I can pick it up in awhile for a discount price.

laserit

Originally posted by CrazKanuk

Originally posted by laserit

Originally posted by CrazKanuk

 

Continuing on the value train, the majority of shooters these days consist of a short campaign and rely heavily on their multiplayer. Again, the campaign in Destiny is much longer than the average shooter, it offers the same multiplayer, plus it extends the gameplay by offering PvE content such as dungeons and raids that are geared to your level, so you can, effectively, choose your difficulty. 

 

One last thing on value. You took a dig at DLC but, again, every game these days releases with Season Pass pre-purchases for $40 or $50. Normally what this means for FPS player is that we get 4 or 5 multiplayer maps each quarter. There has NEVER been, in my memory an FPS that actually offered additional story missions. Fact: It's just too expensive to develop additional story missions. However, for the same dollar amount Destiny is saying they will be offering maps, plus story content, plus PvE content (ie raids/dungeons). Huh..... Something here seems amiss. 

 

 

So because most FPS's are a rip job, that means it's ok for Destiny an FPS-RPG to be one?  

I guess Dev's were just more talented in the past. They could make an FPS, add more maps for free and still make a killer profit. So much so that so that they created a multi-billion dollar industry that's now bigger than the movie's.

 

Whats amiss is that many consumer's are not happy with the quantity they are being delivered for what they're forking out. This includes other franchises in the FPS genre as well.

Then what's the context? How is it that we grade these equally inferior, content-lacking, games 8/10, 9/10 year-over-year? 

 

Also, what a distorted "value" system we have these days. I can't take my family to the movies for less than $100. Shoot, I'd be lucky to have a night out with my wife (dinner and a movie) for less than $100. 

 

I used the FPS genre as a fair, contextually-specific comparison. If I'm making a 2D side-scroller, I could create something procedurally-generated and make you play infinitely. Does that mean it's a greater value? Or does it provide more longevity? Shoot, these days, most 3D games, in general, are less than 20 hours. Check out howlongtobeat.com. 

 

I think that what you're looking for is unrealistic. You're asking for a game that will provide you with an amount of content that is unreasonable based on it's peers. It's all about context. Sorry. Maybe since Destiny blurs the line or suffers from an identity-crisis, they open themselves up for that, but make no mistake, this IS a good value and it does provide more longevity than many games. Sorry, just a fact. 

Don't get me started on the movies  I stopped going to them when they added TV commercials into the mix. Guess what if everyone stopped going because of the TV commercials, there wouldn't be any. Been almost 3 years since I walked into a new release. Maybe those big stars could accept 20 million per picture instead of 50.

 

It all comes down to what kind of a standard is acceptable. And the more that we lower the standard of what we will accept, the more that standards will be lowered.

 

They'll shovel you shit if you will accept it. If 10hr campaigns are not acceptable to the consumer, guess what?  They will supply more.

 

Destiny might be a good value for some, but not to all. Holding games up to a higher standard benefits all.

CrazKanuk

Originally posted by Nevulus

Originally posted by CrazKanuk

 There has NEVER been, in my memory an FPS that actually offered additional story missions. 

Borderlands 1, borderlands 2.

 

Just like that I proved your entire reply invalid. There are many FPS with 16-40 hour gameplay content, and NOT just multiplayer maps. Stop defending a money-grab. It's NOT OK for companies to rip people off and purposely break down content into day/week one DLCs. 

If you think it's OK to rip the consumer off with multiple DLCs & broken stories, then YOU ARE THE PROBLEM.

 

Did you actually play these games? You do realize that you need to play through the game twice to reach level cap, right? Just sayin', neither is a pure, start-to-finish 40 hour experience. 

 

Additionally, the average "Completionist" can finish Borderlands 1 in 50 hours, and 2 in 90 hours, whereas the FASTEST person to reach level cap in Destiny was 107 hours. 

 

I'm not defending a money grab, I'm asking people to actually be logical in attacking the damn game. I'm not saying that there aren't better games out there. What I'm saying is that purely from a longevity and, hence, value perspective Destiny rates in the top 5-10% of games. Anyone who wants to contest that is more than welcome to do so but please at least give some good, metered data. (not that you didn't in your reply. Borderlands was completely valid and is completely awesome). 

jmcdermottuk

Originally posted by Grakulen

Originally posted by jmcdermottuk

How, if the social and communications is lacking as stated in the cons, does Social score a 6?

I think this is another carefully worded review aimed at not pissing off the publisher.

It's because it is extremely easy to play with people that are already your friends on PSN and XBox Live. It also has the dynamic events in the open world "patrol" maps that groups of people can converge on and play together. The match making for Strikes and PvP is also functional. 6 is a below average and failing score. Compared to what most MMO gamers are used to, however, it is not up to snuff. 

I think this is where my confusion comes from. In a rating system from 0-10 I would say 5 is average, it's bang in the middle. That makes 6 slightly better than average.

I really don't see how a 6 can be lower than average on a scale of 0-10, because mathematically it isn't. I mean seriously, on a scale of 0-10 is 7 now average? When did that happen? I'm trying to get my head around this and I think my brains are starting to dribble from my ears.

Sorry for nitpicking but I hope you can see where I'm coming from.

Alverant

"While the story may seem overly generic and full of sci-fi tropes it is no more derivative than most fantasy games that are released by the dozens."

That does not make it OK. One game doing something badly is no excuse for another game to do the same thing!