GAME MASTERS

Gaming news, views, reviews and more by our resident geek the original, I fell mostly into the final group. The original didn’t grab me, but then I also never gave it another chance to do so after it underwent quite a few dramatic changes in the form of regular and substantial updates. So I came to the beta with an open mind, ready to experience Destiny 2 for what it was, not comparing it to the original or expecting it to conform to some idea of what a Destiny game should be like.

PERFORMANCE

Destiny 2 looks gorgeous, and on a purely technical level is quite a leap from its predecessor. Not having to develop for two console generations at once would have been a huge help in this regard, with Bungie not having to ensure the game would also run at a decent framerate on much older hardware. The sound design is worth a special mention: the weapons sound absolutely incredible, each shot producing a satisfying aural jolt that combines beautifully with the controller vibrations.

Performance is as smooth and fluid as one would expect. The gunplay in the beta has that familiar Bungie feel to it, and can best be described as intensely satisfying. Wielding a gun and taking down enemies with it, from whatever range, always feels rewarding.

CLASSES

The class that you choose has a big impact on how you will approach the game’s many challenges.

In the beta we could try out the Titan, which is your classic heavily armoured full-frontal assault soldier. This class has the ability to deploy an energy barrier that can be used as cover.

If the Titan focuses on Strength, in terms of classic RPG stats, then the Hunter is an Agility character, focusing on quick, precise movements and positioning to achieve victory. And if the Titan and Hunter are the Warrior and Rogue classes of Destiny 2, then the Warlock is the Mage, focusing on longer-distance highdamage attacks and buffs that increase you and your party’s damage output and healing rate. All three classes were a lot of fun to play, and complement each other really well.

IMPRESSIONS THAT LAST

After spending some time with the beta’s Player vs Environment and Player vs Player modes, I began to understand why this series has developed such a devoted following. The setting is intriguing, the shooting has that familiar and rewarding Bungie feedback loop, and the MMORPG elements add to rather than detract from the experience. The super abilities, which have a cooldown period that should probably be slightly reduced in the final release, make you feel like a real force of destruction. Unleashing them in the middle of a multiplayer session to help your teammates achieve victory feels intensely satisfying.

September 6 is still quite a while away, but I’m already thinking of who I need to recruit to join me in regular Destiny 2 sessions.