The next week the raid reset and all Destiny 2 players learned something new about the raid: not only did the raid reset, but the order of the rooms was different. This is a smart design, allowing players to take on challenges they are unfamiliar with or maybe were having trouble with the week previous to improve upon them. Dogs were now first; this was fantastic news as the same fireteam could tackle the raid and knock out the part that had been challenging us, first. Unfortunately the same fireteam couldn’t all make it, instead the four that did show (myself included) ended up playing Trials of the Nine. We did try everything in our power to fill the two spots putting out lines throughout our friends list and even Destinylfg.net and other sources, but we gave up after a few hours at this. No raid this week it looked like. This is not a new problem for Destiny, Destiny2Focus.Com with Destiny 2’s new feature of Guided Games it seemed some of this searching for party members stress could be alleviated.
Just about everything you love about Destiny is returning. We’ve got a campaign with a series of story missions that tell a grand tale of courage and heroism. We have strikes. Of course, we’ve got a brand-new Raid, which I can say nothing about because it’s the pinnacle activity. We have different ways to explore the world. We’ve all been on Patrols, but now there are Lost Sectors to discover, public events with heroic activities, adventures given to us by MPCS. Finally, of course, there’s the Crucible for when we want to step away from the fight against the enemies.
Having done every previous raid in the first Destiny, it was exciting looking forward to the first raid for Destiny 2. What would it be thematically? How would it operate with challenging a fireteam of six? What would the loot be? Would it be so fun that it would call Guardians back for multiple run throughs? And then Leviathan dropped. It looked spectacular, challenging and unlike any raid seen yet. It was a freaking massive space fish eating a planet; it screams ominous!
We think that a lot of players are going to be pretty surprised about how 4v4 changes the landscape. In terms of being on a big team in Destiny, that’s the Raid. The pinnacle activity in our game is all about being in a Fireteam of six and solving the biggest mysteries in the game together.
It’s hard to believe that it has already been three years since Destiny first hit the scene . It came from a developer that had, and still has, an incredible track record when it comes to space shooters, so it’s no surprise that their next project after Halo took off in the way that it did. Love it or hate it, Destiny has quickly become one of the biggest new franchises released this generation thanks to tight mechanics and addictive gameplay.
In terms of maps, only six have been announced so far: Midtown, Javelin-4, Altar of Flame, Vostok, Endless Vale and Retribution, which is PS4-timed exclusive. The final count has yet to be revealed, but no maps from the original game and expansions are returning.
Hardcore Gamer went hands-on with the PS4 and PC versions of the upcoming game and if what we played is anything to go by, Bungie may have a real winner. While Destiny 2 may not change the minds of those opposed to loot shooter or MMO-lite mechanics, it will make those who were disappointed by the original game very happy. Destiny 2 is bigger, better structured and packs a more powerful punch.
We liked the way the Hunter, Titan and Warlock complement each other. In terms of the lore, these are all disciplines that took centuries to discover and master. At this moment in time, the theme is about losing those abilities and rediscovering them. It’s about mastering them in some new and exciting ways.
Finally, we were able to sneak in a match of Countdown, a new multiplayer mode in Destiny 2. The mode is essentially Search & Destroy. One team is tasked with planting a bomb, and the other is tasked with defusing it. If an entire team is eliminated, however, the round ends. The first team to win six rounds is the victor. It’s a neat mode for those who like these types of multiplayer modes. For those who don’t like it, modes like Clash will return. Unlike Destiny, however, all multiplayer modes will only support eight players, down from twelve.
Each of the three Guardian Classes – Hunter, Titan and Warlock – come equipped with a brand new subclass. An Arcstrider Hunter becomes enveloped in Arc energy and unleashes attacks via an electrified staff. Sentinel Titans summon a shield constructed out of Void energy, which they can throw at enemies or use as a melee weapon. Last, but not least, is the Dawnblade Warlock who summons a Solar sword and rains fire from the skies.
Considering how Destiny’s campaign was universally panned, Bungie took extra care to craft a proper campaign for the sequel. Destiny 2 does have a campaign, one where each missions has unique objectives and doesn’t always end with a battle against some large, bullet-sponge boss.