INTRODUCTION
As the progeny of Bungie Software’s exceptional creative intelligence, Destiny comes into its own, etching a significant mark in sci-fi gaming. Bunge, the acclaimed brain behind the massively popular Halo series, has birthed this sensational first-person shooter game that takes place across the cosmos. Destiny, like its predecessor, brings intense combat to the forefront, but with a twist: Players can now wage wars against alien civilizations and against one another.
THE INTRIGUING LORE
The storyline of Destiny catapults the player into the distant 28th century, an era where humanity is teetering on the brink of destruction. The fall of the Golden Age has led to the almost complete wipeout of humankind. The saving grace for the besieged species is a colossal alien vessel, the Traveler, akin to a second moon floating ominously above the Earth. The remnants of humanity have cobbled together a bastion known as the Last Town, hoping to spur civilization’s resurgence. However, the looming threat returns with malicious entities hell-bent on eradicating the remaining humans.
THE GAMEPLAY DYNAMICS
Destiny gives you the mantle of the Guardians, protectors endowed with extraordinary powers from the Traveler. There are three classes to choose from, each boasting unique abilities. The Titan, a veritable tank with potent firepower; the Hunter, a stealth expert, and proficient sniper; and the Warlock, the magic aficionado. A significant aspect of Destiny is the promotion of communal play. While you could journey alone, encounters with potential allies occur regularly, aiding in achieving objectives and completing quests. There’s also an element of competition through Destiny’s integrated multiplayer mode, which lets players partake in player vs. player battles, complete with unique maps and exciting ways.
THE EXPANSIVE UNIVERSE
Destiny’s universe extends far beyond the confines of Earth. It encompasses the Moon, planets of the solar system, and derelict spacecraft adrift in the cosmos. Each Guardian has their spaceship, facilitating the exploration of the galaxy’s furthest reaches. The path to destiny is fraught with adversaries like the Fallen, insectoid aliens, Vex robots with the ability to time travel, and zombie-esque entities.
TECHNICAL FINESSE
Destiny’s aesthetics are a testament to Bungie’s prowess. Powered by a custom engine built for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Destiny is a visual spectacle, easily one of the era’s most stunning games. Complementing this is a captivating soundtrack, the brainchild of composers Marty O’Donnell and Mike Salvatori (who previously scored for Halo) and legendary Beatles member Paul McCartney.
EXTRAS AND ACCESSIBILITY
Expanding the Destiny experience beyond the game, an application exists for smartphones and tablets, updating players with the latest happenings in the virtual world. This includes notifications about upcoming tasks and friends’ plans. This nifty application allows players to lend their friends a hand, irrespective of their current ability to log into the game.
