Destiny 2 Review by AI

Destiny 2 Review by AI

 

Review of Destiny 2 (in English)

Destiny 2, developed by Bungie, is a first-person shooter that blends fast-paced gunplay, expansive lore, and online multiplayer elements in a persistent world. Since its release in September 2017, Destiny 2 has evolved through numerous expansions and updates, transforming it from a standard shooter into a comprehensive live-service game that continues to captivate players. Here’s a review of the game, focusing on its gameplay, story, world design, and other key aspects.

Gameplay and Mechanics:

Destiny 2 offers a unique mix of PvE (Player vs. Environment) and PvP (Player vs. Player) gameplay, both of which are central to the game's experience. At its core, Destiny 2 is a looter-shooter, where players take on the role of Guardians, human-like beings imbued with special powers, tasked with defending the Last City of Earth from various alien threats.

The game features a wide range of weapons, armor, and abilities that make combat feel dynamic and varied. Players can choose from three classes — Titan, Warlock, and Hunter — each with distinct abilities and playstyles. Titans are tanks with high defense and support abilities, Warlocks use powerful space magic, and Hunters are agile, stealthy experts in precision and mobility. This class system allows for a lot of customization in combat, whether you prefer running in as a tank, picking off enemies from a distance, or zipping around the battlefield with speed.

The shooting mechanics in Destiny 2 are exceptional, with tight, responsive controls that make every gunfight feel rewarding. Weapons are categorized by type, including hand cannons, pulse rifles, shotguns, and sniper rifles, each with its own handling and strategy. The combat is fast and fluid, with the player able to dodge, sprint, and jump to outmaneuver enemies. The special abilities of each class, combined with powerful super abilities, add a layer of strategy to the combat, making every encounter feel unique.

Beyond shooting, Destiny 2 also includes vehicular combat in the form of Sparrows (speed bikes) and various raid and dungeon activities that require team coordination and skillful execution. These end-game activities are some of the most rewarding content in the game, often requiring players to work together in challenging, multi-phase encounters.

Story and World Building:

The story of Destiny 2 takes place in a sci-fi universe filled with rich lore and complex factions. The player assumes the role of a Guardian, defending humanity from alien threats while exploring various locations across the solar system. The narrative is built around the ongoing struggle against powerful enemies like the Cabal, Fallen, Hive, and Vex, who each have their own motivations for taking down the Last City.

The game's expansions — such as Forsaken, Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, The Witch Queen, and Lightfall — have continued to build upon the narrative, introducing new enemies, locations, and storylines. One of Destiny 2's strengths is how it integrates lore into the world-building. While the main story can be understood through questlines and campaigns, much of the backstory is revealed through collectibles, lore tabs, and environmental storytelling.

The game does suffer at times from convoluted or unclear storytelling, with some major plot points left unexplained or hidden in lore documents that can be difficult for players to access. However, this sense of mystery is a hallmark of the Destiny universe, encouraging players to piece together the larger narrative themselves through exploration and research.

World Design and Exploration:

Destiny 2 features a variety of expansive and visually stunning environments. The game offers multiple planets to explore, including Earth, Titan, Nessus, the Moon, Europa, and more. Each location is distinct in its design, from the lush forests of Earth to the icy wastelands of Europa, creating a diverse array of environments to traverse.

The world is designed to feel alive, with dynamic events and areas that constantly change as new content is introduced. Public events, which are random occurrences that bring players together to fight powerful enemies, provide a lot of opportunities for spontaneous multiplayer interactions. The game also includes a variety of activities such as Strikes (cooperative missions), Raids (longer, more complex cooperative challenges), and Gambit (a hybrid PvPvE mode), giving players plenty of ways to engage with the world.

Exploration is an integral part of Destiny 2, especially with the introduction of seasonal updates and expansion packs that add new zones and secrets to uncover. The game rewards players for exploration with hidden collectibles, lore items, and the chance to discover powerful gear. However, there’s a degree of repetition in the open-world activities, as many events and objectives can feel somewhat grindy over time.

Multiplayer and Social Features:

Multiplayer is at the heart of Destiny 2, and the game shines in its cooperative and competitive modes. The most significant multiplayer modes are PvE and PvP.

• PvE: The cooperative content in Destiny 2 is some of the best in the genre. Strikes are short, team-based missions where players tackle increasingly difficult waves of enemies, while Raids are massive, complex challenges requiring full fireteams (six players) and excellent teamwork. Raids are widely regarded as some of the most well-designed, rewarding content in the game, offering some of the best loot and experiences in all of Destiny 2.

• PvP: The Crucible, Destiny 2's PvP mode, is where players can face off against each other in a variety of competitive game modes, such as Control, Clash, and Trials of Osiris (a more elite, skill-based mode). The gunplay in PvP feels fast-paced and intense, and the addition of various supers and abilities adds a layer of strategy. While the game is balanced fairly well, some players feel that certain abilities or weapons can feel overpowered, leading to frustration in competitive matches.

The social features of Destiny 2 are also strong. Players can form fireteams with friends or join clans for group activities and rewards. The game encourages a strong sense of community, and many in-game activities are designed for group participation. Regular events, such as seasonal content and timed challenges, give players opportunities to play together and earn unique rewards. Cross-play functionality, added in 2021, also allows players on different platforms (PlayStation, Xbox, PC) to play together, broadening the game's multiplayer community.

Graphics and Sound:

The visuals of Destiny 2 are stunning, with each environment beautifully crafted to capture the wonder and vastness of the Destiny universe. The character models and animations are fluid, and the special effects during combat, especially with supers and explosions, are breathtaking. The lighting effects, in particular, add a lot of depth and immersion to the world, making it feel alive and dynamic.

The sound design in Destiny 2 is equally impressive. The soundtrack, composed by Michael Salvatori and others, fits the epic, otherworldly tone of the game. The ambient music and atmospheric sounds bring the different planets and locations to life, and the voice acting for key characters is well-done, especially for the main characters like Ikora Rey, Zavala, and the Drifter. Weapon sounds and enemy audio cues are also key in combat, helping players anticipate enemy movements and actions.

Endgame and Longevity:

Destiny 2 thrives on its endgame content, which keeps players engaged long after completing the main campaigns. From Raids to Gambit, to seasonal activities, the game is designed to keep players coming back for more. The addition of new expansions and updates introduces fresh challenges, gear, and lore, ensuring that there’s always something to chase.

One area that has received mixed reactions is the game's reliance on grinding for loot. Some players appreciate the rewards system and the sense of progression, while others find the repetitive grind of certain activities to be tiresome. The inclusion of microtransactions, such as cosmetic items and season passes, has also been a point of contention, with some feeling that the game leans too heavily into a "live-service" model.

Conclusion:

Destiny 2 is a fantastic looter-shooter that offers a mix of action-packed combat, expansive worlds, and rich lore. The game’s blend of PvE and PvP content provides something for every type of player, from those who enjoy cooperative gameplay to those who prefer competitive matches. Its world is beautiful and expansive, offering plenty to explore, and the social features make it easy to engage with friends or other players.

While the game can feel grindy at times, and the ongoing nature of the story may be confusing for new players, Destiny 2 remains one of the best online shooters on the market. With regular updates, expansions, and community-driven content, Destiny 2 continues to evolve and improve, offering a thrilling and rewarding experience for both casual players and hardcore fans.