If you thought Destiny was disappointing, Destiny 2’s beta most likely will not address your concerns. We spent some time in the Destiny 2 beta this week, available first on PlayStation 4 and a day later (yesterday) on Xbox One for those who pre-ordered and below are our impressions. The PC version is last to the party and doesn’t have a beta date yet, but the full open beta for consoles begins this weekend.
The purpose of the beta, outside of the obvious pre-order marketing gimmick, is to stress-test servers and gain some invaluable feedback prior to the Destiny 2’s full launch on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in September (late October for PC). Destiny 2’s first playable beta experience however, is quite a bit smaller than the first game’s which offered multiple missions across the Earth map so we don’t have much to go on.
The Destiny 2 beta only features an extended version of the playable intro mission from E3, one strike dubbed the “The Inverted Spire,” and the Crucible multiplayer which includes two modes (one of them brand new). The story mission is full of big, flashy cinematic moments and introduces the main guardian leaders from the first game. It’s clear Bungie is trying to push the characters and story more, to build on the unused lore of the first game.
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And it wastes no time. Players chose one of the three recognizable playable classes - Hunter, Titan, or Warlock - and jump right in. The subclass skill trees (two for each class) have been simplified in their redesign and although there’s a new subclass for each, they’re eerily similar to what the first game offered. As for the gear, the interface and menus are nearly the same but the loadout options have been adjusted, now grouping weapons into two primary slots and taking some of the more situational-specific weapons (shotguns, sniper rifles, and fusion rifles) and merging them into the more powerful heavy category (where rocket launchers and LMGs used to occupy).
Destiny 2 Beta Weapons Need More Variety
This means you’ll find yourself with quite a bit less variety, swapping between two variants of a similar ‘basic’ gun (pistols, SMGs, assault rifles, or scout rifles), some of which feel so weak that they’re useless. Combined with long cooldowns for powers and grenades, and little heavy ammo, and the weapon play is a bit of a downgrade. We’ve heard the heavy ammo shortages will be addressed in the full game but I suspect more, larger changes will come as well. Or at least, need to.
Destiny 2 looks and feels great though. There are mind-blowing effects and intricate, interesting details on character designs and animations. The music is insane (and needs its own volume slider desperately!) and the developers amp up the ambient effects, from lighting to weather, to new heights that really change up the feel during hectic combat. Parts of the available levels look the same as before, but some areas offer entirely new environmental designs. It’s the same game though to be sure. It’s still about following a linear, sometimes very tight paths, and taking out waves of bullet sponges. Don’t expect a radical do-over from Bungie with Destiny 2. The speed at which players move feels slow though, but verticality is still key.
The beta’s new strike was neat too, and offered a different type of challenge where after damaging its big boss enough, the floor vanishes, sinking players down to the next level. It means players need to be on the move more, and hyper aware of environment or area of effect dangers. It’s intense and well-designed.
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Destiny 2’s Competitive Multiplayer and Story?
Destiny 2 brings back the Crucible PvP but reduces player counts to 4v4 (down from some 6v6 modes in first game). It’s similar, and capped at 30fps which will bother many, but it works well and is fun. It’s not much new though so for players who dug the original game’s PvP, this is more of that. There is a new mode dubbed ‘Countdown’ which seems similar to Call of Duty’s ‘Search and Destroy’ which sees teams trading on attack and defend. It’s unclear what other new modes and such may come as the game launches in full or post-launch in live events.
As for the game’s campaign story - which will be playable in co-op like the first game - we can’t say yet. The first game at launch had no story at all and our fear is that the sequel was as rushed (or more rushed) than the first game given the reality that Activision/Bungie are willing to released an unfinished game, and that Bungie must release it this year or face losing stock according to reports. That’s a very, very, very bad sign.
From the marketing materials and the one story mission playable, the game is all over the place tonally. With Nathan Fillion’s character Cayde-6 acting more like funny guy Nathan Fillion than ever during the most dire of times, bouncing off serious Gina Torres (fellow Firefly alum who returns as Warlock Vanguard Ikora Rey) and video game lover Lance Reddick (who returns as Commander Zavala), it’s hard to see if the story even matters.
It’s Hard To Care About Destiny 2’s Story At The Moment
The premise of the next set of battles featured in Destiny 2 is based around the Red Legion faction of the Cabal, led by big bad Dominus Ghaul, assaulting Earth’s last city to take the Traveler (the big, lifeless white sphere floating in Earth’s sky). And his attack begins by destroying the last human settlement and attaching a massive spider-like device to the Traveler to drain its “light” which doesn’t seem to affect gameplay at all in the playable mission. We’re still trying to figure out why they didn’t attack in the first game or why the mystery sphere is even here. Maybe it’s the villain as some have theorized? It’s hard to care because so there’s no emotion or life attached to the sphere or the city.
The beta doesn’t address concerns or answer questions about the bigger picture and maybe it’s not meant to. Is there a story players will care about and latch onto? What is the larger arc and plan for the future since the first didn’t really set that up? Is there less grinding and more content? Will there be more raids?
I played each part of the Destiny 2 beta once and don’t feel a desire to replay them so that old trick from the first game won’t work. I am excited to run through it once at least, cooperatively.
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Destiny 2 Fact Sheet and Product Information
Product Description
Destiny 2 is a first-person action game and the evolution of its award winning, internationally acclaimed predecessor, Destiny. With a compelling, immersive story and fresh beginning awaiting all new, returning, casual, and competitive players, Destiny 2 will deliver an experience for new and existing players to discover.
Cinematic Story with Relatable Characters
Humanity has fallen to an overwhelming invasion force, led by Lord Ghaul, the imposing commander of the brutal Red Legion. He has stripped Guardians of their power, and forced the survivors to flee their home. Players will venture out into our solar system to discover an arsenal of weapons and devastating new combat abilities. To defeat the Red Legion and confront Ghaul, they must reunite humanity’s scattered heroes, stand together, and fight back to reclaim our home.
Four New Stunning Worlds to Explore with New Features
Destinations of Destiny 2
- European Dead Zone – The largest destination yet featuring a lush forest, abandoned town, a cave system below the surface, and a Red Legion military base to explore and contest. Titan – One of Saturn’s Moons where Commander Zavala is regrouping at the hands of Ghaul. There is no land on Titan. Instead, players explore a series of Golden Age platforms surrounded by a rolling ocean. Nessus – a strange and unstable planetoid that has been fully consumed by the Vex where players will find Cayde-6 is caught up in his own adventures in a stunning landscape of sheer walls, lush canyons, and creepy Vex caverns. Io – A moon of Jupiter, where Ikora Rey has gone in search of answers. Io is the last known site the Traveler visited during the Golden Age, it’s now occupied by our enemies.
All New Director
Your guide throughout Destiny 2 in your search for Adventures, Lost Sectors, new Public Events, and more. Players can pick a landing zone, explore, and seamlessly jump into other activities in game.
Adventures
- Shorter missions with self-contained stories for players to learn more about the Destiny 2 universe and the characters that live there.
Lost Sectors
- Scattered, enemy dungeon layers throughout the world you can discover with unique boss enemies guarding treasure to earn.
Public Events
Unique, optional, dynamic combat activities that players can join on the fly as they roam around the world solo or with up to nine other players.
Action, Adventure, and Gameplay Activities for All Types of Players: New, Returning, Casual, and Competitive
Play Solo or with Friends
- Story Campaign – Narrative of Destiny 2’s cinematic story where players can also explore in Adventures, Patrols, Lost Sectors, Quests, and Public Events.
Join Friends to Complete Cooperative Experiences
- Strikes – Three-player missions in Destiny 2. The Raid – Six-player missions with incredible challenges and rewards.
Face-off Against Opponents in Competitive Experiences
- The Crucible: Competitive 4v4 PvP Gameplay with New Modes and Maps Countdown is a new competitive mode where players spawn on either Offense or Defense, and when the round ends you swap sides and roles. The goal is to plant a bomb at the enemy base, and then defend it until it explodes. Each round is worth one point. First team to six wins. To revive a teammate, you must use a revive token. Power weapon ammo is only granted to the one player who pulls it. Working as a team is the key to victory.
Clan Creation Feature
Countdown is a new competitive mode where players spawn on either Offense or Defense, and when the round ends you swap sides and roles. The goal is to plant a bomb at the enemy base, and then defend it until it explodes. Each round is worth one point. First team to six wins. To revive a teammate, you must use a revive token. Power weapon ammo is only granted to the one player who pulls it. Working as a team is the key to victory.
New integrated system that allows friends to bring their community and unique culture to the forefront of Destiny. Clans have been fully integrated into the game and will provide official banners, invitations, and their own rewards and experience systems for all members.
Guided Games
- A new feature that brings solo players and clan communities together to play Destiny 2’s most challenging activities including Raids, Trials and Nightfall Strikes.
Three New Subclasses
- Dawnblade Warlock Rises like a phoenix from the ashes and rains down flaming swords. Sentinel Titan Conjure a shield to deflect enemy fire and take down opponents at range. Arcstrider Hunter Summons an electric bow staff to devastate multiple enemies at close range.
Destiny 2 is Now Available for Pre-Order Through Battle.net
The PC version is scheduled to release on October 24, 2017 and will feature:
Rises like a phoenix from the ashes and rains down flaming swords.
Conjure a shield to deflect enemy fire and take down opponents at range.
Summons an electric bow staff to devastate multiple enemies at close range.
4k Resolution Support (3820x2160) Uncapped framerate Full mouse and keyboard support with custom key mapping Text chat Adjustable Field of View Detailed PC settings screen 21:9 monitor support PlayStation® Exclusive Content
At launch, PlayStation gamers will get access to additional timed exclusive** content including:
- a competitive multiplayer map, a three-player cooperative Strike, a personalized ship, 3 Legendary Armor Sets, and an Exotic Sniper Rifle.
Retail
- Destiny 2: $59.99 SRP Destiny 2 – Limited Edition: $99.99 SRP Destiny 2 – Collector’s Edition: $249.99 SRP
Digital / ESD
- Destiny 2: $59.99 SRP Destiny 2 – Game + Expansion Pass Bundle: $89.99 SRP Destiny 2 – Digital Deluxe Edition: $99.99 SRP
Official Destiny 2 Beta Details
Pre-order Destiny 2 and receive early access to the beta. † Following the pre-order early access period, the Destiny 2 console beta will open to all* PlayStation®4 and Xbox One players on July 21 with the PC beta scheduled to follow in late August.
- Early Access for PlayStation 4 players - July 18 Early Access for Xbox One players - July 19 Open console beta - July 21 PC beta will follow in late August.
