Destiny 2 | Xbox One | Review

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When the original Destiny was announced, expectations were high. Activision was keen to lay out the legacy of their and Bungie’s project for the next decade, before anyone had even decrypted a single engram. Now, four years in, the franchise has established itself and Destiny 2 launches not only on console, but also on PC. Is the sequel a fresh new chapter in this saga, or just more of the same?

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by James
Michael
​Parry

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@James_Parry

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Developer: Bungie
Publisher: Activision
Platforms: Xbox One,
PlayStation 4, PC
Players: 1 - 16

The answer to that question will be determined by the expectations and perspective of the player who asks it. From the personal point of view of someone that enjoyed the first game but hung up their Guardian’s cloak before it began to evolve with its many DLC expansions, the answer is that Destiny 2 is the sort of sprawling, space-faring FPS that I wanted the first game to be.

One criticism levelled towards the original was the perceived lack of story, though it was more a case of gamers being shocked not to find a traditional campaign from Bungie, a developer known for some of the most memorable gaming stories of the past decade in the Halo series.

In Destiny 2, the narrative and its characters are front and centre - literally so, there’s no more hiding lore away in Grimoire cards on a website. Cutscenes are plentiful and, though the loading times consistently take a little too long and can spoil the immersion, the cinematic presentation is undeniably captivating. The game succeeds in making you feel important, even as swathes of other Guardians potter about the world on the same missions, which is no easy feat.

Gameplay feels familiar on the whole, though that isn’t a bad thing - Bungie’s mastery over gunplay remains on point. Traversing the beautiful levels is a joy, with even the backdrops being so detailed and exciting as to distract you from blasting baddies if you aren’t careful.

Speaking of, Destiny 2’s main antagonist is the leader of The Red Legion, a fanatical sect of the Cabal. The decision to give players a specific character to direct their ire towards is wise, as the general enemies in each of the established factions don’t exactly ooze charisma, but then, perhaps we’re just a little too attached to Halo’s comedic grunts?

Bungie’s mastery over gunplay remains on point. 

You still do your slaying as one of three character classes, but the choice doesn’t slam shut as many doors as you might expect in terms of playstyle and items. There are subclasses too, meaning you can work your way towards a character who has perks to match how you enjoy playing the game. As there are only 20 levels to progress through before it all becomes about your Light level - boosted by acquiring better equipment, as in the first game - the skill tree is deliberately basic, which serves to keep things straightforward and accessible for new players.

Jumping into the world of Destiny at this stage could be intimidating - all that lore and story to catch up on, right? In fact, other than a nice touch which sees your Guardian’s past exploits recounted over a series of splash screens at the beginning of the game, complete with dates and who you completed missions with, the original feels like a non-essential prologue.

Playing alone is all well and good, though you’re still very much encouraged to venture online with friends. When it comes to Raids, however, that’s absolutely required. These major set pieces see you team up in order to tackle the most devious puzzles and gargantuan enemies Destiny 2 has to offer; they’re the pinnacle of the Destiny experience, though barriers to entry mean you won’t get to enjoy them until you’ve been playing for a while.

It’s at least a testament to the game’s flexibility that it can feel like you’ve had a substantial gameplay experience from the campaign alone, leaving it up to the player whether or not they engage with the endgame content. There’s a lot of depth to explore if you do choose to stick around, not least in gathering the coveted Exotic items and upgrades, which are outstanding weapons and armour pieces that can only be equipped sparingly. You’ll likely want to kit yourself out with these before getting competitive in the enjoyable PvP modes.

It can feel like you’ve had a substantial gameplay experience from the campaign alone, leaving it up to the player whether or not they engage with the endgame content. 

Now that the initial hype for the game has slightly died down (and on that note, sorry for the delay), Destiny 2 is free to impress you on its own merits, holding your outstretched hand considerately, but firmly, to pull you into a world which asks as much as you’re willing to give.

If this is a game you’ll play for the odd hour, then there’s an excellent campaign to enjoy in its own right, but if you’ll be sinking hours at a time for the foreseeable future, that will work just as well. One side effect of this is that it’s difficult to feel that you’ve experienced everything the game has to offer, whichever camp you’re in, but more content is good content when it comes to the Destiny framework.

In the end, if you have any attachment to RPGs, MMOs, or, most specifically, FPS games, you’ll definitely find something to latch onto and enjoy in Destiny 2. Beyond that base level of pure enjoyment, the rest is up to you; if you give the game the chance, there’s far more substance here than you might first assume, presented more beautifully than ever before.

Pros

• Well-crafted, beautiful world with greater variety 
• Narrative grabs you by the scruff of the neck this time around
• Everything feels more deliberate and developed than in the original

Cons

• A step forward, but not a leap
• Missions can be very A to B and shoot someone
• Nathan Fillion’s character was spoiled by marketing

9/10