Why is Destiny so Compelling?

C

Confused Cheeseburger

Member
What is sure to be the narritive of this game when all is said and done, I was ambivalent about Destiny before E3. In a stroke of genius marketing, Bungie let people play it for themselves and decide. I went into that Alpha on a trajectory of "this is alright" to "this is pretty great" and with the Beta currently down, I am raving for more; but why?
Is it the classic Bungie gameplay? Well yes, it's back and with all the Halo magic Halo 4 missed, but that isn't fully it. Is it the mmo hooks? I hear PSO get thrown around a lot and I have no frame of reference for that game but that is likely part of the puzzle if popular opinion is to be believed. Is it the "itch"? That addiction itch that only a handful of games ever manage. Shades of Diablo are undeniable and just as effective.

I look at all of this and it all makes sense on paper, but my excitement for Destiny transcends all these elements. There is a certain magic to the way Destiny comes together that I can't quite describe in my time with it. Destiny is clear evidence of artistic appropriations from other games, but it feels like something entirely all its own. In sum, I didn't really know what to make of Destiny before this summer and now I have most of the pieces and I'm still not certain, but I know I anticipating with a distinct hunger. Anyone else in the same boat or have a clearer grasp on Destiny?
 
Well based on what people are saying, Destiny wrapped co-op and brilliant gameplay into one beautiful package.
 
This would be a solid FPS on its own with that classic Halo feel but mix in the wonderful looking gear and the sheer amount of character customization through the skill tree / cosmetics and it gets really addictive to try and make your character stand out.

Also once you dive into further customizing your play style with the various weapon modifications and armor mods, you can spend many hours just farming for that next piece of gear that fits right with the type of suit you are trying to make.

Add in the social aspect, easy to access PVP, and the large world to explore ... Got yourself a winner.
 
I was impressed by the:

-Halo-esque gunplay
-smart AI
-powers/jumping abilities
-graphics/level design
-infrastructure/MMO-esque
-dat Bungie polish
 
I don't find it to be particularly compelling tbqh. I played the Alpha and it was fun but there was something just...bland about it.
 
It's the polish of a Bungie game. Game feels meticulously crafted. Doesn't feel janky in any way. Gunplay is outstanding. Story and lore feels super homogenized, but the gameplay makes up for it.
 
Well, to me it's not, so I don't know either. Most people seem to have a hard time articulating why they like it so much, just that they like it a lot. Seems like a "more than the sum of its parts" thing, but YMMV
 
I guess it depends on the person. It's not compelling in the least. Who has time for reptitive mmo style quests wrapped up in an fps?
 
It is genuinely fun and addicting.

I have a great time playing and want to go back for more.

(20 hours deep into the beta)
 
The Gameplay is just fun. I can go into it and come out a few hours later without noticing how much time I spent. The multiple classes add variety, and the game's art style is great. I admit, PVP isn't as great as Halo, but I'm not a big pvp guy so it's not too much of an issue for me.
 
Confused Cheeseburger said:
What is sure to be the narritive of this game when all is said and done, I was ambivalent about Destiny before E3. In a stroke of genius marketing, Bungie let people play it for themselves and decide. I went into that Alpha on a trajectory of "this is alright" to "this is pretty great" and with the Beta currently down, I am raving for more; but why?
Is it the classic Bungie gameplay? Well yes, it's back and with all the Halo magic Halo 4 missed, but that isn't fully it. Is it the mmo hooks? I hear PSO get thrown around a lot and I have no frame of reference for that game but that is likely part of the puzzle if popular opinion is to be believed. Is it the "itch"? That addiction itch that only a handful of games ever manage. Shades of Diablo are undeniable and just as effective.

I look at all of this and it all makes sense on paper, but my excitement for Destiny transcends all these elements. There is a certain magic to the way Destiny comes together that I can't quite describe in my time with it. Destiny is clear evidence of artistic appropriations from other games, but it feels like something entirely all its own. In sum, I didn't really know what to make of Destiny before this summer and now I have most of the pieces and I'm still not certain, but I know I anticipating with a distinct hunger. Anyone else in the same boat or have a clearer grasp on Destiny?
Click to expand...

People are comparing Destiny to Phantasy Star Online?

I think I'm getting Destiny
 
Haven't gotten a chance to play yet (gonna hop on the XBO beta) but if it's anything at all like PSO, that would explain it.

That game has a special place in my heart.
 
Combination of marketing, expectations and subtle manipulation by other players.

As a general rule I always follow when it comes to hype.

"Unreleased games are better than everything on the market...until they are released."

Honestly, I don't see any game being compelling especially MMOtype games until you play them sufficiently because the first 20 hours might be fun, but MMO usually far apart at the end of the road.

added: after playing pso2 I hated how repetitive the damn game was. I need some dressing to fool me into thinking I am doing the same thing.
 
Long ago, I decided that it's the overall blend of elements that makes any game transcend, from Super Mario World to Otogi.

Destiny is Halo and Borderlands with a more serious take, stellar art, graphics and sound. And that shit is peanut butter and chocolate.
 
veritassin said:
I guess it depends on the person. It's not compelling in the least. Who has time for reptitive mmo style quests wrapped up in an fps?
Click to expand...

The same people who have time for repetitive RPG style quests in a ton of other genres like Skyrim, Witcher, Diablo, WoW, Borderlands, Dragon Age, etc?

You say it like there's a worldwide gamer disdain for repetitive RPG quest elements.
 
The world is dreamy and surreal in a pretty chill way, filled with a refreshing sense of optimism that's backed up by the fantastic score. Gameplay is satisfying with some incredible melee feedback and enemy hit reactions. Sound design is stellar.

I like it.
 
The gameplay feels really good. Gerstmann mentions it several times in that Unfinished video of them playing Destiny beta

Halo always had great gameplay, but some things such as narrative, story and level design werent always its strengths. Yet still the great gameplay is what kept that series relevant for as long as it has been. The level design in Halo improved over time and you can see it in Destiny too

But the gameplay, the feel of the weapons, the unpredictable AI, always just felt great in Bungie Halo games and now Destiny. Just meleeing a dude feels great, its a combination of animations, sound and art.

The nice looking menu and UI just gives off this vibe that perfectionists made this game, the quality is everywhere, it just makes you believe you are playing something that obsessive talent worked at.
 
Collecting armor and customizing your character is a draw for me. That and easy fps fun with the ability to mix it up with randoms in a non competitive setting. PEACE.
 
The atmosphere is fantastic, and we're only seen one area the bland and white Russia. If Russia is this good imagine how Venus and Mars will be. The combat is also serviceable enough that it doesn't get old. As long as the enemy variety holds up across the solar system the game will be very good.
 
When I saw someone with one of those capes from the Iron Banner I immediately jumped into PVP for the first time and played for an hour straight.

There will be a ton of .... " how did you get that!!' " moments I think with the full game when you see someone in the tower with a sick piece of gear on you just have to have.
 
The Tower
Customization
All integrated in one single continous package, you go to everywhere from orbit on you ship, that is badass.
Setting
Loot
 
BigDug13 said:
The same people who have time for repetitive RPG style quests in a ton of other genres like Skyrim, Witcher, Diablo, WoW, Borderlands, Dragon Age, etc?

You say it like there's a worldwide gamer disdain for repetitive RPG quest elements.
Click to expand...

I guess repetitive quests are ok if it's in the right package for some people. Personally, I don't care what the masses like or don't, it's just not something that seems like a worthwhile time investment to me.
 
For me, it's basically a new phantasy star online with the combat of halo. You take borderlands level of crazy loot guns except here they all feel great, it's just a perfect combo.
 
A...are we all playing the same game? I find this game so boring. You run forward and shoot. Then you go back to town and buy boots or something. Then you go back to Russia and shoot guys. I've done this same thing in about 40,000 other games. Sometimes it was hitting guys with swords or fireballs, but it's all the same.

What am I missing? I'm a level 5 Warlock. What happens that everyone is loving this game so much? Do I need to give it a lot more time? "The Darkness" isn't doing it for me as an antagonist, also. Do they explain more and give me a reason to care?
 
It pulls a bunch of awesome gameplay elements into one cohesive unit. It's simple to start but has a good amount of depth. It has all the addictive qualities of a loot grinding arpg, the combat satisfaction of a quality fps, a nicely fleshed out pvp to test your abilities against others, co-op fun, open world exploration, a hub world to collect rewards and upgrade your character (and dance!). It has a little bit of everything thrown into a nice, neat package.
 
veritassin said:
I guess reptitve quests are ok if it's in the right package for some people. Personally, I don't care what the masses like or don't, it's just not something that seems like a worthwhile time investment to me.
Click to expand...

That's fine. You asked "who has time for that" and I answered. You seemed to be curious about who out there has a different opinion than you about RPG quest elements in games.
 
It's the amazing production values (particularly the music), the polished-to-a-sheen gameplay, the prospect of the never- ending loot cycle, the sweeping feel of the universe -- its all those things. And it's just really fun to play.
 
Also how many FPS have jetpack-like abilities? It really changes the way you think about the battlefield. Adds a ton of verticality to movement.

It was my favorite thing about Halo Reach and I'm glad Bungie has kept it in for Destiny.
 
The mounts sound like the speeder bikes from Return of the Jedi, because that's basically what they are.

Game is awesome, it seems to have almost everything.
 
The Lamonster said:
Also how many FPS have jetpack-like abilities? It really changes the way you think about the battlefield. Adds a ton of verticality to movement.

It was my favorite thing about Halo Reach and I'm glad Bungie has kept it in for Destiny.
Click to expand...

That's the one thing that has me excited about the Borderlands pre-sequel as well. The added verticality of jet packs.

(there is room in this genre for both games )
 
Is there some aspect of the loot that I'm missing?

In Borderlands (which I thought was good, not amazing), I found shotguns that shot rockets and machinegun snipers IIRC.

In Destiny, for my main weapon I found an AR, a BR, and a DMR (hand cannons blow). Then, I found another AR with an element attached. Oh, a DMR with a slightly faster reload stat. None of the variations felt very distinct. I was never excited for loot. Is it because it was beta, I had bad luck, or is this how it's supposed to be?
 
BigDug13 said:
But it's nothing like Planetside. Planetside is an MMO with a static planet that everyone fights over. Destiny is NOTHING like that and is not an MMO at all. You have what, 12 people at most in an instance?
Click to expand...

This is why the PSO comparison makes sense. It feels like an evolution of PSO's system.
 
I love the fighting system, it's so much fun and I love the "direct feedback" if that makes any sense. And everything else. Day 1.
 
BigDug13 said:
That's fine. You asked "who has time for that" and I answered. You seemed to be curious about who out there has a different opinion than you about RPG quest elements in games.
Click to expand...

Lol the biggest complaint I've seen about mmos in general are about the repetitive and meaningless quests which this has in spades.
 
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