Destiny: Online Shooter with Impressive Character Development

Destiny is a multiplatform title which is regularly updated with new content by the developers, Bungie. In the game you play as one of the Guardians, a group of elite soldiers who are defending Earth from a series of hostile forces. With its vast range of diverse missions, Destiny is designed to be accessible for all levels of player, from novices, to regular and more experienced gamers.

The Development of Destiny

Destiny is the first game released by Bungie following the extremely successful Halo franchise. Work on it started just after Halo: Reach was released in 2010. During its development the game underwent extensive restructuring and as a result the original release date was pushed back by a year. However, with a new game engine, Bungie has been able to incorporate stunning lighting effects including real-time changes between night and day.

The Different Versions of Destiny

Destiny is available in four retail versions; the original Destiny, the Ghost Edition, the Limited Edition, and the Digital Limited Edition. The gameplay is identical in each version, but the Ghost Edition and Limited Edition discs come bundled with a range of different collectables, photos and stickers. These are ideal for players who enjoy collecting games memorabilia, or want to retain an unopened copy of a special edition game. If you are simply interested in playing Destiny then the original version, which just contains a disc, is the better option.

On September 15th 2015, Sony released Destiny: The Taken King, a new campaign which extends the level of content, adds extra missions and increases the number of locations on a players map. It is also available as Legendary Edition, which includes the original Destiny, and as Collector’s Edition, which comes with a steelbook case, replica artefacts and various other collectables. If you want a good deal on both the original game and the new campaign, then the Legendary Edition version is ideal. However, if you appreciate the various keepsakes on offer, go for the Collector’s Edition.

Destiny: The Taken King – Official Trailer

When you want to be connected to your personal Destiny adventure everywhere you go, the Destiny companion app keeps you up-to-date about your player stats and Grimoire score. Furthermore, you can inspect your personal Guardian and master your vault. The Companion App is available for Android and iOS devices.

Which Platforms can Destiny be Played On?

Destiny is part of the action role-play genre, it could also be categorised as an MMO or Massive Multiplayer Online game. Each version of Destiny is available on the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.

Destiny Extensions

People who play Destiny have access to a huge range of bonus content which can be downloaded onto their console. However, the developers have also released two major expansion packs which make a more significant impact on gameplay and add to the adventures taking place. These include new missions, activities and multiplayer arenas, as well as extra weapons, gear and armour.

The Dark Below expansion pack was released on 9th December 2014, it takes players to subterranean areas of the moon where they’ll find a new enemy and have to ensure it never reaches the earth.

Expansion I – The Dark Below Trailer

The second expansion pack, House of Wolves, was released on 19th May 2015, it includes a new elimination mode for competitive gameplay and introduces The Prison of Elders.

Expansion II – House of Wolves Prologue

You can also purchase an expansion pass for the game which includes the first and second expansion.

How many players can compete on Destiny?

Although you can play against gamers from all over the world, Destiny does not support a local co-op mode. There is no split screen option, so you cannot play alongside the person sitting next to you. Furthermore, there is no in-game friends list, although players can add people they meet online to their general friends list. Once someone is added to your list, you can invite them to play Destiny with you online.

Destiny’s Gameplay

In the Destiny universe it is the year 2562; humans have evolved to have blue skin and now live in colonies scattered across the solar system. Hostile alien races threaten the last outpost of humanity on earth and the gameplay focuses on protecting it.

Destiny: The Taken King – Official Live Action Trailer

Destiny combines elements of multiplayer online gaming with first-person shooters and role-play. However, unlike other online titles, communication between players is limited, unless the game ‘matches’ you with someone else for a mission. Activity is divided into two areas, you can choose to fight computer generated enemies in a player versus environment game or take on real people in a player versus player game. The environments range from a large vessel known as the Dreadnaught, to varied locations on Earth, Venus, and Mercury.

Your character is known as a Guardian and these can be placed in one of three classes; the Hunters, which are excellent scouts with great athletic abilities, the Warlocks, who are equipped with good powers of recovery and the battle hardened Titans. You can also select a species; either the robotic Exo or the human – a distant relative of today’s humans. These can each be customised and it is possible for players to create a number of different characters, to test out the traits of each.

As you move through various scenarios, your character is awarded with experience points and you can level-up after gaining a certain amount of these. Progressing through the levels gives you better combat skills and access to more advanced gear. Players have equipment which includes basic armour and weapons, but to improve your performance it’s best to seek out the legendary items in both categories. Although you can take on the missions and quests which appeal to you, by completing the main storyline you’ll reveal more of Destiny’s underlying plot.

Player versus environment challenges are the most prevalent in this game, you can choose to enter into a mission alone, or as a ‘fireteam’ of three players. Once inside the tasks set vary greatly; you may be asked to collect scrap for making weapons, to defeat enemies, or to lay a set of warning beacons. To move between areas you have a Sparrow, a small but very fast vehicle which enables you to travel over large spaces quickly, but you can walk shorter distances if your prefer. The PvE mode also includes Strikes in its menu; these are adventures played with three other people, they usually involve fast battles and are good for short games with friends.

The PvP or Player versus player action, takes place in an area of the game known as The Crucible. To enter, players must have reached level five in the game and for their performance to be recorded in Crucible Reputation points, they must have notched up at least one previous kill. Challenges can involve up to twelve players and often consist of two teams, each attempting to maintain, or capture a zone. There are also skirmish matches with less players and capture the flag-style tournaments.

As Destiny is an online multiplayer game, even when you are playing by yourself is it not possible to pause the action or skip lengthy cut scenes, a factor which may irritate some players.

Destiny’s Minimum Requirements

Although the storage space needed to run Destiny could change over time according to the developers, here are the current requirements:

• On a PlayStation 3 you will need at least 30 GB of available space to play Destiny, plus another 30 GB for the Taken King update. On a PlayStation 4, Destiny takes up 40 GB of storage space and you’ll need a further 18 GB for the update.


• On an Xbox 360 the original Destiny game needs 30 GB, plus 10 GB for the Taken King update and on an Xbox One, 60 GB of hard disk space is required, plus 18 GB for the update.


• If you decide to upgrade from an Xbox 360 to an Xbox One, or a PlayStation 3 to a PlayStation 4, the system will port across your progress in the game, including your items and characters.

How was Destiny Received on its Release?

Destiny received many positive ratings, but some critics had a mixed response after experiencing the game for the first time. This was reflected in the scores it gained at Metacritic, where the Xbox One version got 78.55 % from the combined results of 10 reviews, and the PS4 version got 76.83 % based on 64 reviews. Having read some less than favourable comments, Bungie cancelled the remaining pre-release reviews until the game was officially launched and enhanced by the presence of more online players.

Subsequently, GameSpot were positive about Destiny’s multiplayer system and compared the excellent map design to that of the Halo series. Eurogamer mentioned the ‘thrilling combat’, but complained that some aspects of the game meant it was not a truly open world, more: “giant shooter levels connected by narrow passageways”. The reviewer at Game Trailers found the story lacked substance and the locations were formulaic, though they were impressed by the game's graphics. Game Informer felt that communicating with another player should be easier, branding the system: "downplayed and difficult".

Nevertheless, Destiny was awarded Game of the Year by GamesRadar in 2015, and also won the Award for Best Game at BAFTA’s British Academy Video Games Awards.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Destiny?

Pros

• The lessons learned from Halo shine through.


• Characters are developed throughout the game.


• The co-op multiplayer sequences are smooth and flow well.


• The blend of multiplayer action and first person shooter is excellent.

Cons

• Some missions feel uninspired.


• It can be difficult to communicate with other players.


• The Story could be more substantial.

Which retailers stock Destiny?

Many retailers with a good gaming section sell copies of Destiny; these include Game, Argos and Amazon.

When is the Best Time of Year to Buy Destiny?

As a relatively new title, Destiny is unlikely to be reduced unless a retailer is having a sale or offering a special deal on the game, so it’s worth checking for offers regularly if you are intending to buy it soon. In general, video games are also reduced by stockists during the Black Friday sales; these happen on the last Friday in November. You can also pick up Destiny or The Taken King update at a lower price in late autumn, as stores discount products to attract Christmas shoppers.

Keep watching the HotUKDeals Destiny page for accurate information on the best deals around and where to find them. We add more offers every day, so check back regularly for the chance to bag a bargain.