Destiny 2 is at its best when you're out exploring its open world and socialising with other gamers.
Destiny 2 is at its best when you're out exploring its open world and socialising with other gamers.
The first Destiny game was, at launch, an amalgamation of genres that didn't quite seem to fit. It was like putting together three-quarters of a 1000-piece puzzle only to find the remaining pieces made up a different image.
It improved over time with additional content, but for many, it never quite managed to overcome the hype and then the disappointment of its release.
Fortunately, Destiny 2 is an enormous improvement on the previous game, with a clear enemy, more fleshed out characters and more streamlined integration of its component parts.
The narrative is used to explore mechanical game design concepts. First-person shooters such as the Destiny series, generally, are designed to make the player feel powerful.
One of the first things Destiny 2 does is remove much of that power, creating a sense of anxiety and foreboding. It makes the stakes seem much higher than its predecessor, which is very motivating.
The luxury environments support this feeling beautifully: in Destiny 2 you'll find a mixture of the natural and the built, the empty and the populated.
At times you feel completely alone and like every step is a challenge, and at other times you're surrounded by structures, people, other players and, of course, enemies.
There's a huge amount of choice: you can play solo campaign, with friends, or co-operative strikes and competitive multiplayer. But Destiny 2 is at its best when you're exploring the open world, running into people whose goals briefly dovetail with yours.
Where playing solo can be lonely or even frustrating, public events create a sense of urgency and companionship. Other players will happily risk their own skins to save yours by reviving you or distracting an enemy.
It's clear from the outset that the game is designed for those who are in it for the long haul. The campaign is short and it doesn't take long to reach level 20, but in each location, there are adventures and extras to complete, alone or with friends.
There's still a lot of additional content to come, with co-op raids being released soon and extra-hard nightfall strikes on their way for the truly hardy.
A scene from Destiny 2.
If you were one of those who stuck with Destiny long after its release, you'll love its sequel. If you were a bit disappointed in the first game, you'll probably be pleasantly surprised.
In Destiny 2, Bungie has found the missing puzzle pieces and created a complete picture - a game that looks stunning, feels great to play and will keep you busy for months to come.
Destiny 2
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, coming soon to PC Rating: M Verdict: Destined for greatness.
