Destiny 2: A Unique FPS Experience

After Halo developers, Bungie, stepped away from the world acclaimed franchise in 2007, they began working on an exciting new multiplayer experience for their millions of fans around the globe. When Destiny debuted in 2014 it was an instant hit that combined elements from an MMO RPG with a Sci-Fi First Person Shooter. After three years of successful content and visual storytelling, Bungie released the sequel, Destiny 2, on all platforms including PC for the first time. Destiny 2 faced many problems and challenges to keep its player base after significant changes made to the game, but managed to turn it around in its second year expansion: Foresaken.

There are three guardians that a player can choose from; Titan, Warlock, or Hunter. Each of these classes are special for different types of gameplay and provide the three-man fireteam with different tools and unique abilities to succeed in perilous adventures. Titans are aggressive playmakers that prefer to run straight into the face of danger, letting their fists do the talking. Warlocks focus on defeating large groups of enemies using their knowledge of magic and the elements to wreak havoc. Hunters are slippery lone wolves that trap enemies and kill from a distance to level the playing field. All classes have subclasses of different elements that provide the player with super abilities and powerful class trees that can tactically aid your team or defeat large groups of enemies.

Destiny is best known for its fantastic gunplay, intense grind for loot, and its beautiful visual storytelling and atmospheres. In Destiny every armor piece and weapon loadout of your “guardian” is interchangeable. Players loot and collect new weapons such as auto rifles, hand cannons, shotguns, snipers, and more. Players also collect armor pieces like helmets, gauntlets, boots, chest pieces, and a vanity item that marks your class of guardian. All obtainable gear has different levels of rarity; common, rare, legendary, and exotic. Exotic gear and weapons are unique in the fact that players can only equip one exotic armor and weapon at a time. These armor pieces and weapons offer game- changing perks that highlight different classes and styles of gameplay. When guardians play around these perks, they can prove to be very vital in success and efficiency. Weapons in Destiny drop randomly with random perks. These perks make or break the weapon. Player will spend days or weeks grinding activities over and over again to collect a weapon with the “god” roll that they are searching for. These perks are essential to gameplay because they will increase a specific stat on the weapon or add a small but significant effect to the gameplay. For example, when searching for a great sniper roll, players want one that drops with “snapshot sights” and “opening shot”. Snapshot sights will make the aim-down-sights drastically quicker and opening shot increases the accuracy and range of the first shot taken out of that magazine. These combinations of perks allow players to quickly aim down sights and pop a shot out insanely quick which will be especially useful in player versus player game modes.

Destiny offers different adventures and raids to defeat AI opponents and collect raid specific gear as well as competitive multiplayer game modes. Raids are six player battles through uniquely designed dungeons where players must master the mechanics for the encounter in order to succeed. This requires intense communication, strategy, and planning to defeat the raid bosses. I personally love raiding with my friends. It is always intense and offers a thrill and feeling of relief/accomplishment when you finally defeat the boss after hours of failing for the first time. Bungie never fails to create a breathtaking environment that sets the mood and scale of the task at hand. From defeating Hive Gods to destroying Vex time travelers, players will always feel the impact and importance of the mission that they are completing.

I have been a fan of this franchise since its beta in 2013. Destiny has always been a game that I find intense, relaxing, and frustrating at the same time. The grind of getting those weapons and armors with the perfect roll drives me to perfect my guardian build. There are limitless ways to choose how you play your guardian with exotics and different subclasses. Unfortunately, the Destiny player base has declined throughout the years due to lack of content (or increase in efficiency in completing that content) and a PvP experience that is riddled with cheaters. Despite these problems, Destiny will always be a franchise that excites me everyday and provides an excellent social experience with personal friends, and friends that you meet through the game.