Destiny, First Alpha Testers Impressions

Apparently, the Non-Disclosure Agreement pending on Destiny‘s alpha testers just expired, and a few testers are already talking about the game. There’s already a thread on Neogaf, and here’s a recap with the impressions written so far, starting with original poster Dax01:

Personally, I’ve really enjoyed my time with it.

The moment I fell in love with the game, I was exploring Old Russia in free-roam mode. In the distance I saw a building with a satellite dish on its roof. The structure looked interesting, so I decided to head there. I passed through a graveyard of rusted airplanes from another time, fighting small groups of Fallen here and there.

Once I reached the satellite’s home, I ventured carefully: Inside was dark, and a flashlight was my only source of steady, reliable light. After trespassing in what may have once been restricted areas, climbing a level or two, I came across a large room…with Fallen and Hive fighting each other, and it was a spectacle to behold. I decided to let them fight it out a little before I gunned the rest down; that strategy is always pretty safe, and you never know what may lie around the next corner in Destiny.

After the fight, I say I was rewarded. Not with any loot, mind you, but with a wonderful, beautiful, inside view of the satellite’s decayed housing with light pouring in from the cold outside.

As for multiplayer [PvP]. If I had to name one thing I’m not sold on about Destiny, it’s that. It’s…okay. Not sold.

My main problem with the multiplayer stems from two things: there’s no distinctive philosophy behind it, and two game mechanics rub each other the wrong way.

About lens flare:

Just enough. A good amount.

How good is it, overall?

It’s pretty good. I have a lot of fun.

About gunplay:

Yes, it feels great to shoot things. Not all things – some enemies are bullet sponges – but most things. It feels great to knife things most of all. Especially when you throw your knife!

User Smokey had this to say:

It is like Borderlands. That much is obvious from the trailers. This is not a bad thing.  If you liked Borderlands then you’ll probably like this. Same addictive formula but with Bungies touch and direction.

The shooting feels good to me. The gun sounds have some punch to them. The graphics,especially the lighting, are really well done. You can’t really tell from the streams, but the game looks really good. it’s definitely one of the better looking games on PS4.

On PvP though, opinions seem conflicting: while Smokey and Dax were not totally sold on it, PsychoRaven described it as “fun as hell”.

Now PVP.

It’s fun as hell. Right now there is one mode and 2 maps. One is set in Old Russia and the other on the Moon. The moon map does have vehicles on it. The PVP mode is called The Crucible and the gametype plays a lot like territories from Halo.

The players health and weapon damage are balanced out so that it doesn’t matter your level. You gain points by holding territories, capturing them, and by killing your opponents. It plays a lot like Halo of old with a touch of COD and a splash of Shadowrun thanks to the special attacks. The moon maps are a good size. Thanks to the vehicles in the moon map and the ability to call in your personal transport that makes it feel like the right size.

Some of you will be able to play the game starting Thursday, with the alpha test on PlayStation 4; in case you don’t get in, don’t worry: Bungie announced that the beta is coming to PS4 on July 17th.