I plan on trying the beta even though I never played the first game (I'm a PC gamer)...I really don't see the big deal about this game...doesn't sound like anything amazing or original...plus I seem to remember the first game getting average reviews when it first came out (might have fixed those issues since)...I remember Peter Dinklage getting a lot of grief for his narration...is this more or less a loot game like Borderlands?
Basic idea is same, yes. First person looter shooter with RPG elements and coop.
Destiny has nudge more serious tone, less forced shitty humor and more emphasis on coop experience. Why it blew up on GAF is that community really makes Destiny shine.