Destiny Beta Impressions

I'm discovering some things the more I play Destiny.




I'm discovering an intriguing universe filled with potential. I'm discovering how great the combat system is. I'm discovering that the co-op gameplay makes sense and it feels empty without it. I'm discovering how much I suck at Control matches. I'm discovering that I will probably pour dozens of hours into this game when it releases. I'm discovering how much Bungie has grown from Halo. I'm discovering how much of a fool I was for thinking this game looked generic in previews.




But most of all, I'm discovering that Destiny could be the greatest online game ever made.




This isn't my first time playing Destiny. I played the Alpha last month. You can read my impressions on that here. As I said in my impressions there, I was not expecting much of Destiny. Yes it was being made by Bungie, the guys who created Halo, and there was a lot of hype surrounding it, but I just didn't get it. To me it just looked like another generic shooter. But when I played it, I was blown away. I became super hyped for it, and when I got access to the beta, I decided to play it again. Here are my thoughts.


Perhaps the biggest thing that the beta has compared to the Alpha is now we have a better understanding of Destiny's story. Basically, you have been resurrected from the dead by a little floating robot companion named Ghost. Most of Earth has been destroyed, and there is only one city left. This city is protected by a mysterious object named the Traveler, which is the big ball you've seen in previews. A Darkness is returning, and you must find and defeat this darkness before it consumes everyone. The game gives you a few missions to play on Earth and then stops your progress before you go on to the second planet, the moon. We don't get too much more info on it, but I'm intrigued to learn more about this universe. On one hand, the setup that I just told you sounds a little cliché, but on the other hand this is Bungie and they've proven they can do a good story and create an intriguing universe. What we do know, is that the voice acting is phenomenal and the soundtrack is amazing. Hopefully a sign of things to come.


Gameplay-wise, there hasn't been much that has been added since the Alpha. It's still got a great combat system, and some of the guns I've found are fantastic. You can go co-op or competitive. Customization has a lot more options, and is very satisfying. You can partake in more main missions, a free roam area, and a strike mission. The more I play with the economy system, the more I like it and find neat little things hidden in them. And yes, you can still dance, and it's still awesome and hilarious as the first time. The competitive multiplayer area, the Crucible, also makes a return, and I'm still terrible at it. Disappointingly, there is still only one mode you can play during the beta, and that's the domination mode called Control. There is a mode called Iron Banner but that's only a slightly different version of Control. While I know this is a beta, I was hoping that we could test out another mode just to give Bungie some feedback on it. However, the maps are very well made, and I believe the map First Light will become an instant fan favorite thanks to its vehicular combat in addition to infantry combat.


Obviously since this is a beta, there will be bugs. Surprisingly, I haven't encountered too many bugs or glitches, as with the Alpha. However, the biggest things I encountered was the occasional disconnection from the server (although my internet connection may have played a part in that). Since this is an online game, the disconnections are frustrating as you can't play the game. I wish there was an offline mode, just so I could continue playing while my network issues resolved. I know some people who have a far worse internet connection than me, and they will almost certainly have a tough time playing Destiny. Also, a little side note, I did notice that the shotguns in the Crucible were a little overpowered and I found myself with some cheap deaths, so I would like them to address that.


My position on Destiny has been reaffirmed. This may just be the biggest game of the fall, and one you should absolutely keep your eye on. I've put 10 hours into the Destiny Beta since starting it yesterday, July 20, and I'm absolutely hooked even though I've maxed out my character. Bungie may have something really special here, and I absolutely cannot wait to see how it turns out. Hurry up September 9.


Have you played the Destiny Beta? What do you think? Has your position on Destiny changed after playing the beta? Will you be buying it? Let me know! And, as always, thanks for visiting 8-Bit Ape.


The Destiny Beta started on July 17 for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, and will be closed for maintenance today July 21 and tomorrow July 22. It will resume on July 23 at 10 AM Pacific on PlayStation platforms and will launch at that time for Xbox 360 and Xbox One. The beta will end on July 27 at a TBA time. Destiny will launch on September 9 for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. These impressions were of the PlayStation 4 version of the Beta. Experience may vary from platform to platform.

Throwback Reviews: The Last of Us

I wrote this review in June 2013 a few days after The Last of Us came out. I did not play Left Behind (though I intend to at some point) or any other DLC. This is a review of the base game. I am republishing this since The Last of Us Remastered is releasing for PS4 July 29. It is currently available for PS3. The PS4 version will feature upscaled graphics at 1080p, 60 fps (compared to 720p, 30fps on PS3) as well as both multiplayer packs and the Left Behind DLC. Enjoy:

Post-apocalyptic fiction can be somewhat of a challenge in the entertainment industry. Video games, books, TV shows, and movies have overused this genre to the point where we go into these stories with low expectations. You expect a lot of cheap zombie animations and kills. Last year, however, this trend changed when Telltale games released The Walking Dead, which was my personal choice for Game of the Year. The choice and emotion found in the game was unparalleled in all forms of entertainment. I’d never think another piece of post-apocalyptic fiction could challenge that. That is, until I played The Last of Us.

            Naughty Dog, the creators of classics such as Crash Bandicoot, Jak and Dexter, and Uncharted bring another successful game with The Last of Us. The Last of Us provides a memorable experience for all players and it makes me remember why I bought a PlayStation 3. A lot of my friends play on Xbox 360 and I would love to play with them, but PS3 offered tons of exclusives simply unmatched. People are going to buy a PS4 just because of Naughty Dog. Not only is The Last of Us the best PlayStation exclusive of all time, it’s one of the all-time greats that will be looked upon and treasured for years to come.

            In The Last of Us, a cordyceps fungus infects mankind and brings the downfall of civilization. You control Joel, a man who has lived through both the luxuries and pleasures of life today but now struggles to survive in a world where people will kill you just for shoes. It makes players start to appreciate the life we have today. Without spoiling anything, Joel has been through a lot and you feel sympathetic for him throughout your journey.

            Early in the story, you meet Ellie, who is the real star of The Last of Us. She only knows the post-apocalyptic world being born after the outbreak. She does and sees many things most normal 14 year olds don’t, but that’s what makes her special. You start caring for her and feel protective for her throughout your adventure. She can also handle herself in a fight, and this makes for some pretty cool scenes in the game.

            Starting off in Boston, Ellie and Joel begin a cross-country journey to get Ellie to the Fireflies, a resistance group trying to fight the Military. Why? Well, I’m not going to spoil it for you, but trust me, you will be surprised. The journey is intense, filled with intense encounters and exciting plot points. The game is an emotional rollercoaster that shows just how bleak and hopeless this world is. It is one of the most immersive games I have ever played. Of course, it does help that the graphics are superb and rival that of next-generation games. The voice acting and motion capture is top notch, and Gustavo Santaolalla provides a memorable soundtrack to accompany your journey. The production value in this game is staggering and you can’t help but be in awe in some sections, especially in cut scenes.

            Of course, you are not simply going to reach your destination without encountering hostiles. There are two types of enemies in the game: the human survivors and the infected. Human enemies are smart and very dangerous. They will coordinate with each other and will act smart behind cover, making it more difficult to kill them than in Uncharted. The AI, while not perfect, is one of the smartest I have seen in a game in a while. You don’t have much ammo throughout the game, and are sometimes out completely. Stealth is absolutely necessary to use in The Last of Us, and you will mutter a curse under your breath if you are spotted. Taking out a room of enemies almost entirely with stealth is incredibly satisfying, similar to how satisfying stealth is in Rocksteady’s Batman games. Different tactics and strategies are important in The Last of Us, and not everyone’s journey will be quite the same.

            The other type of enemy is much more terrifying and you will almost always want to use stealth on these enemies: is the infected. The infected are people who have been affected by the cordyceps fungus and are lethal. Obviously they are less intelligent than the sane human survivors, but are more lethal and terrifying. Runners are one type of infected you will encounter, and they are not completely infected by the cordyceps fungus. They are fast though and are more aware of your movements. Another type, clickers, are the ones that will make you hate clicking sounds. That sound is absolutely terrifying and you will almost always want to avoid them, as the only way to silently kill them is with shivs and those are in limited supply. One hit from them and it is game over. The infected along with the survivors will provide a challenging journey.

            The Last of Us also comes with a crafting system and this is incredibly satisfying and is better than many RPG crafting systems such as the one found in Skyrim. From here you can make new weapons and health kits to aid you in battle. Even better, it happens in real time through your backpack, so you better hope there are no enemies about to charge at you. You will find this very useful in your journey.

            On normal, I beat the game in about 13 hours. However many people have completed the game in up to 17 hours. The game, though linear, has tons of replayability. New Game Plus is a great way to return, but the real draw is the insane amount of collectibles, firefly pendants, and comics. These include audio recordings, letters, notes, and pictures. They are very interesting and add a whole new depth to the game. These also may lead to a conversation with Ellie and helps you build your relationship with her. And trust me, after you beat this game, you will want to replay it.

            Multiplayer is also present in The Last of Us. This, like Uncharted, is not the focus of the game and is passable. It is nothing mind-blowing, however it is in no way tacked on or generic. It is a smaller package than Uncharted, with fewer modes, maps, and players. However it is very intense and is not something casual players can simply pick up.

            You choose a faction, Hunters or Fireflies, and begin a twelve week campaign to try to add and keep members of your clan. The Last of Us multiplayer also packs a deep customization system for outfits and gear. The two modes, Survivors and Supply Raid, have incorporated elements from the single player. You can use listen mode, which lets you see enemy movements from a distance (though you can only use it for a short time, unlike singleplayer). The crafting system is also in check and is very useful. Supplies are scattered around the map for you to use. Scaling back for The Last of Us multiplayer provides a unique experience for players and adds even more replayability to the game.

 

The Verdict_______________________________________________

            I have never played a game quite like The Last of Us. The game provides an excellent, emotional story and unique multiplayer. The adventures of Joel and Ellie are some of the most memorable I have ever had with a game. This is one of the best games ever made, and easily a strong contender for both Game of the Year and possibly Game of the Generation.

SCORE: 10/10 MASTERPIECE

Pre-Order the PS4 Version

Buy the PS3 version

Introducing Throwback Reviews

I am trying my hardest to put out more posts for everyone but I simply always don't have the time, especially with reviews. So I came up with a little solution. That solution is Throwback Reviews. Throwback Reviews are reviews that give me a chance to express my opinion on some older titles. I could review a game released a year ago or 15 years ago, it doesn't matter. And I hope you enjoy reading these reviews and that they give you a sense of nostalgia or maybe convince you to buy or not a certain classic.


The review will be very similar to what I do already with reviews. I will talk about the game and then issue a verdict on the same scoring scale. I can do these reviews during some times when there doesn't seem to be anything to talk about, so I hope this gets you to come back to the site during those times. I may also do it in the buildup to a new release. For example, in the week leading up to the Uncharted 4 release, I will put up reviews of the games in the series. In addition to giving you my thoughts on some earlier games, I will address what needs to be fixed in order for the next game to be a masterpiece.


Please also let me know what you may want me to review. I am one person, and I won't be able to get to everything but I will consider every request. Suggest your games either in the comments or tweet @8bitapeblog on Twitter your suggestion. I will start either this week or next week with my review of The Last of Us since the PS4 version is coming out. Stay tuned! And, as always, thanks for visiting 8-Bit Ape.