Destiny [PS3,X360,PS4,XO]

Scooby seems more qualified to answer than me. Admittedly, I don't play many games like this (haven't played Borderlands) so I don't know how big the maps are relative to other games, and I don't know what classifies a game as open-world.

 

Borderlands is not open-world in the same way that GTA and Skyrim area. It isn't one huge map that you can explore freely. You zone between areas. Some of the areas in Borderlands 2 were fairly large, but nothing like you'd see in an MMO.

 

I would describe Destiny as a mix between the two. Each area like Old Russia is actually a pretty huge area. There are a lot of "sub" zones with different level creatures and stuff to do. Some of these can be fairly large, some of them are fairly small. But combined, it takes me ~10 minutes to go from one end to the other even using the vehicles. There are no loading screens in these areas.

On the other hand, you then have to jump to orbit to go to different areas. Old Russia is the only area we have access to right now, so I don't know the names of others. But apparently there are 5 on Earth and more on the moon, mars, etc.

This clean division is complicated by the story mode though. In story mode, you will jump between missions. There are multiple missions in the same area. Each mission will land you in a different area of Old Russia with different objectives. These areas are connected to the larger Old Russia map. However, when in mission mode you enter special "Respawning Restricted" areas that are for you and your fire team only. They are sub-instances of the map where party specific special events happen. I would note that the entire area the mission is in is generally not these special areas. I frequently saw other players while trying to accomplish the story missions. Only areas where you have a specific task to complete are generally respawn restricted.

So playing through story mode, it can feel like you are playing a bunch of really small areas that require you to go to orbit and jump back down fairly frequently. In other words very non-open world. However, in exploration mode you can visit all of the areas you have unlocked through story mode in a fairly large "open" world.

It is actually pretty difficult to explain until you've played it a bit. Took me a while to figure out what other players could and couldn't see, where I would run into other players, and what places I could go into when in story mode vs exploration mode.

 

I think I get what you're trying to explain. It sounds like the exploration maps will be big enough for my liking. I don't need them to be GTA big, just big enough that you can explore around and look for secret stuff.

 

They have some pretty neat secret stuff in there. For instance, there are 5 golden chests that give you a pretty awesome upgrade. But they are hidden.

One of them is actually hidden off the map in a "restricted" area that you get warned for entering and a 10 second timer to get back into the normal section. There are "ghosts" hidden all over and you get Grimoire points for collecting them. I've found caves that are accessible with only well timed jumps, caves hidden behind water falls, and a lot of chests in secret rooms. I've probably had too much fun exploring.

 

Sounds similar to borderlands. That's a plus.

 

Guess I missed out on all that in my 2 hour playtime. Was kinda torn on whether to explore or try to get through the missions.

 

So, what did you think Al?

 

Just needs a Halo graphics conversion. Not too fond of the weapon sound effects in general. Don't mind ADS on the guns, but I went for the DMR weapon anyway.

hrm.... the pitch black sections underground were a throwback to Doom 3 I guess. Maybe a little too dark for my tastes. Just seems out of place somehow.

Minor nitpicks.

Not sure I care for the "flood" guys who swarm you, but I was playing solo warlock, and just mashed the melee button there.

Gameplay seems fine. Bungie AI at work... I suppose.

The UI seems nice at first, but it's pretty much a mouse cursor attached to the joystick, and... I don't think you can use the D-pad for box selections as you'd expect for a console title. Was only slightly annoying to have to move the cursor all the way over to the launch button instead of just pressing A to launch.

Needing a button to do item comparison (equipped vs store) is only slightly annoying. I guess I'm just used to Dragon Age or Diablo where the item stats/comparison window just displays when I move the cursor over the item. There's a reason why I'm hovering over the damn item in the first place!

I'll have to continue later.

 

How many vehicles were in the beta? Were they balanced into the gameplay well? Vehicles in borderlands didn't seem to fit as well as they should. Great way to get around though.

 

so they have the UI shorted. Keep the cursor mode for PC and add directional button selection box mode for console

 

Shhh....

I imagine it works with the PS4 touch pad I was on PS3 btw.

 

Xbox codes are up on bungie.net profile. Here's a xbox one code.

GYTTX-D2H3G-WYXQF-RH3M6-H4F7Z

 

Thanks! I redeemed the first code.

 

[strike]I have a couple 360 codes.[/strike]

 

Anyone know what the update for the ps4 version does? It was released today.

 

Oh that's neat, I didn't realize you get two additional beta codes to giveaway. Do I have to redeem the code now or should I just wait till the day of the beta?

 

Redeem now and start downloading.

 

Sweet. Thanks my man.

 

Well I got codes in my bungie account (for Xbox One) and I'm downloading, but I'm unclear if I'm actually supposed to get to play today or am just downloading an installer.

Also Amazon preordered for 360 just now because I'd like codes for that too...so far haven't been emailed one. I wonder if it's true they're out of codes? Amazon specifically said my order qualified for beta access...

Edit: I guess we do get to play according to gaffers. One guy is playing on Xbox One. Says it looks and runs great at 900P