As we currently round out the first month of Destiny 2‘s release, it’s high time the late console adopters to start looking at this game as a purchasing option. I’ll admit, though, that there are a ton of good games releasing these days, so it’s a difficult task to decide on just one. Worry not, friends, as I’m here to help you decide if Destiny 2 should be that game.
The simple answer is yes. I can break it down a bit further, though.
Destiny 2 comes at your standard video game price, $60. There’s not much to see here, as it is a full AAA release from the revered game company, Bungie, so this should come as no surprise. However, in an odd turn of events, there are a few microtransactions in the game, all focusing on cosmetic items and skins to make you look cooler. It’s not that you can go to a store, though, because this is 2017 and loot boxes are still a thing and if you can fit them in, you do it! In this case, they’re called Bright Engrams, which you can earn by playing at top level anyways, so I haven’t actually had the joy of spending money to have my ship look cute. Maybe next time, Bungie.
It’s also of note that Destiny 2 is expected to get a steady stream of expansions, which will slowly bulk up the price over time. Therefore, if you don’t get in now, the entry cost may be a bit higher when you’re finally ready. Currently, there’s the Expansion Pass that offers the two announced Expansions for the low low price of $35, with the individual price of each probably set at $20. The first pack, Curse of Osiris, is set for the end of this year, and as with most MMOs, this content will be a necessity to play the best parts of Destiny 2.
Perhaps the money isn’t really an issue for you, as you find $100 bills between couch cushions all the time. In that case, let’s check out what you’re actually getting in this package. Destiny 2 is a game that emphasizes the content once you hit the level cap of 20, generally referred to as endgame content. The grind to get from 1 to 20 should take anywhere between 6 and 10 hours, depending on how much time you spend completing side content and public events.
This is pretty much a very lengthy tutorial that familiarizes you with your Guardian and the different subclasses you can choose from, though this time doesn’t offer much in terms of challenge. Once at 20, the game opens up in a big way. There’s still plenty to do, as you’ll need to crank up your item level to play the hardest content, but this is alleviated by Exotic weapon quests, weekly objectives for Powerful Gear, and a few extra “quests” from the vanguards.
The whole point of this lengthy grind is to get ready for one thing: the Leviathan raid. This is the pinnacle of what Destiny 2 has to offer for the average FPS player.
The raid pits 6 players against a gauntlet of intense challenges that require almost perfect teamwork, quick communication, and a solid amount of problem-solving capped off by an epic boss fight with floating heads and everything. The whole package can take literal hours to complete but allows for breaks between major encounters. Even for the best of shooters, there’s this new level of coordination that creates an experience like no other, worth every minute it takes to prepare through all those quests. If there were just one reason I could give to play Destiny 2, it’d be that you need to experience the magic that is a Destiny raid.
Maybe you can’t be bothered by all those stupid mechanics, and you’re looking for a great story to play through. If that’s you, move along, nothing to see here. Destiny 2’s story is the John Wick of video games. You solve all problems with guns, the plot is extremely predictable, but there’s a whole bunch of fun to be had in the execution. I mean, Destiny even touches on some potentially interesting concepts just before it moves right back to the contrived storyline. It’s a really cool universe that’s been squandered, so far. The shooting is fun, though.
In short, if you want a new kind of challenge in your shooter, Destiny 2 is the game for you. If you’ve been looking for that game to play with you and 5 friends, Destiny 2 is right up your alley. If you love the ability of games to tell stories in new ways, play Divinity 2. Otherwise, Destiny 2 is out now for PS4
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