Destiny

 Xbox One
User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 1786 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 693 out of 1786
  2. Mixed: 436 out of 1786
  3. Negative: 657 out of 1786
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  1. Kairotic
    Sep 9, 2014
    9
    So far I am really enjoying the game. It has a Warframe feel to it, but with more polished controls and better shooting mechanics. Loot is delivered at a decent pace, enough to always feel like you are getting more powerful. I love how you can vendor items straight from your inventory. 6v6 matches are intense and varied, and the allowing of vehicles in the matches is fantastic! The artSo far I am really enjoying the game. It has a Warframe feel to it, but with more polished controls and better shooting mechanics. Loot is delivered at a decent pace, enough to always feel like you are getting more powerful. I love how you can vendor items straight from your inventory. 6v6 matches are intense and varied, and the allowing of vehicles in the matches is fantastic! The art design is perfect in my opinion... Not over the top, but still breathtaking.

    The one major complaint I have is the lack of match making for PvE missions. You will run into people during your "quests", but for the most part they are doing their own thing and don't want to join you. They really need to add a mission/group board similar to PoE, allowing you to find/advertise for groups as needed. I know this is the number one feature requested by the community, so I expect it will come at some point.

    Another thing they need to implement is some form of main city chat. Either by voice or text. SO many people I can't talk to! Also, where is the clan support? It's on Bungie.com but seems to be disabled...

    I honestly think they have delivered a fantastic foundation and a truly fun game, and I hope they continue to build upon it. If they maintain an MMO content model with the only purchases past initial game as ~$10 DLC packs, then I am in for awhile.    … Expand
  2. novatribe
    Sep 15, 2014
    9
    Let me put this in the simplest of terms: IN ABSOLUTELY NO GALAXY should "Wolfenstein: The New Order" have a higher score than Destiny. Let's just start there.

    From the extremely tight and responsive controls, to the vast, wonderful and gorgeous environments, to the crisp graphics, the intriguing storyline, the excellent art direction, the seamless multiplayer, the bungie-mastered    Let me put this in the simplest of terms: IN ABSOLUTELY NO GALAXY should "Wolfenstein: The New Order" have a higher score than Destiny. Let's just start there.

    From the extremely tight and responsive controls, to the vast, wonderful and gorgeous environments, to the crisp graphics, the intriguing storyline, the excellent art direction, the seamless multiplayer, the bungie-mastered competitive multiplayer, the expansive single player, the CONSTANTLY rewarding leveling system.....I could go on and on here.

    Spending time in Destiny's world and in it's game experience is a treat. I cannot remember the last time I played a game that felt so good, that I genuinely didn't even care if another cutscene came on or not. While other games (such as the Metal Gear Series) still think its 1996 and cutscenes are impressive enough to wow the gamer, Destiny prides itself on its gameplay being more enthralling than watching a story. Which makes sense, because the medium is VIDEO GAMES....not movies. Playing the game feels unlike any shooter, but also like every shooter(?). Its a weird mashup that feels incredibly tight and enjoyable throughout your entire experience. This game will EASILY eat up 20+ hours and more if you want to get into the hidden co-op exclusive missions that ONLY UNLOCK when you reach level 20.

    I LITERALLY have no clue as to WHY the hate for this game exists vs. any of the 8 million other shooters where your their TRUE only objective is....go here...shoot things. I think expectations were unrealistic for this game CLEARLY. It's a PHENOMENAL experience one that belongs on a next generation console and is worth every penny of $60 dollars. Nuff said.

    THERE IS NO WAY I would not recommend this game if you are at all interested in a refreshing shooter that feels and looks like it belongs on your brand new $400 and up video game box. There is just too much here, too well done, to ignore and give a mediocre ranking to. Do NOT let these reviewers confuse you.............this is a MASTERFUL game that shows what a talented team can do when they work on a passion project.    … Expand
  3. TheGuyverB
    Oct 10, 2014
    9
    The first thing you notice about this game is its sheer beauty. The second... Peter Dinklage! So far so good.
    The scenery is better than anything I've seen on a console, the first person control is as good as Battlefield and the Destiny universe is as intriguing as anything from Knights of the Old Republic to Mass Effect.
    So why does this game get a 5 from me? Because there's nothing    The first thing you notice about this game is its sheer beauty. The second... Peter Dinklage! So far so good.
    The scenery is better than anything I've seen on a console, the first person control is as good as Battlefield and the Destiny universe is as intriguing as anything from Knights of the Old Republic to Mass Effect.
    So why does this game get a 5 from me? Because there's nothing else. The missions (whether additional or story) are all pretty much identical. The amazement of discovering a new world each time a planet is unlocked is soon dampened by the realisation that whilst the enemies look different, the mission parameters are identical. This repetition alongside very limited customisations to weapons and vehicles and a lack of class specific characterisations left me very disappointed. Despite the unfathomable depth of the scenery in this game, the only word I can use to describe it is shallow.
    Maybe DLC and patches will fix this game for future players and those willing to pay for it time and time again, but for me it feels like an amazing game that got aborted somewhere along the way, packaged and fired out in to the stores.
    I'd love to say the game is redeemed by its multiplayer, but that's simply not the case. The matchmaking isn't good enough for the amount of time it takes and the maps/weapons/vehicles are no better than Halo 2, a game released a decade ago.
    Really disappointing. Worth a few hours of your time but I fear the longevity of this game won't extend past that.    … Expand
  4. Jmatik
    Sep 10, 2014
    9
    Just like many others around the world I picked up my copy of the long-awaited Destiny for the Xbox One. I popped it in, installed it an about 40 minutes and jumped right into the action. I had played the beta a few months ago, which definitely peaked my interest. As I ran through the first mission I was amazed, the game still blew me away with gorgeous visuals, it plays so well. TheJust like many others around the world I picked up my copy of the long-awaited Destiny for the Xbox One. I popped it in, installed it an about 40 minutes and jumped right into the action. I had played the beta a few months ago, which definitely peaked my interest. As I ran through the first mission I was amazed, the game still blew me away with gorgeous visuals, it plays so well. The movement and shooting feels so natural and precise its awesome, and it makes it fantastic to play. As I moved up in level I managed to join up with a friend, we began making our way through missions which weren't available during the short demo, again I found myself in awe of the beauty.
    The loot system is also fun and addictive, many will compare it with Borderlands 2, a loot-centric game, but Destiny is different, the game is not about just loot (which is a good thing). In Borderlands' games I often find myself spending half my time in the menus comparing items, however in Destiny loot is not constantly bombarding you, every so often (just the right amount of time) you find a new piece of equipment, this keeps you playing not comparing stats. When you finally find that new armor piece or weapon that is better than your own it feels rewarding, and often isn't replaced right away. Borderlands throws loot at you so much that your constantly switching items in and out, Destiny allows you to use the loot you have earned rather than swapping it out every few minutes. The weapon leveling system works well and helps a great deal with this, rare items often can level and give you new bonuses, this makes them even more useful and increases longevity.
    After a couple hours I decided it was time to play competitively in the crucible. I wasn't sure what to expect, I was only level 7 and I assumed I would be outgunned, but surprise again, the multiplayer is incredibly balanced. Not once did I feel outmatched or out of my depth, the weapons all feel fair and evenly matched. The maps are also extremely well put together, mind you this isn't a surprise, it is Bungie after all.
    My only gripe so far is a lack of information, I want more backstory on what happened to earth for it to get to this point, I want more context around all these ruins and abandoned buildings everywhere. Who and what exactly are the Fallen? What exactly is a guardian? Why did I get revived from the dead? I want more! (I have a feeling at least some of these answers will come farther into the game).    … Expand
  5. diggs
    Sep 17, 2014
    9
    I want to point something out about the professional reviews. Game spot gave this game a 6. They are saying that this game is about as good as Ryse Son of Rome? That is one of the other XB1 titles to receive the same metascore..... I feel obligated to point out that they gave The Incredibles a 61. Is Destiny really that bad, or could they possibly have a slight fan boy burr in theirI want to point something out about the professional reviews. Game spot gave this game a 6. They are saying that this game is about as good as Ryse Son of Rome? That is one of the other XB1 titles to receive the same metascore..... I feel obligated to point out that they gave The Incredibles a 61. Is Destiny really that bad, or could they possibly have a slight fan boy burr in their trousers?

    The hype of this game was large, but if you expected this game to be something else, and were too lazy to research what it really was, that's your fault Game Spot. For a professional, that's pretty amateur.    … Expand
  6. funkamonkey
    Sep 10, 2014
    9
    WARNING!! If you love gaming you have to read this review!!

    If you are reading Metacritic to help you make a decision about whether to buy Destiny or not. STOP. All the positive and negative reviews are useless at this point because unless you've played this game for the last 24 hours or so in one sitting, then you don't know anything about the game. This game is massive and    WARNING!! If you love gaming you have to read this review!!

    If you are reading Metacritic to help you make a decision about whether to buy Destiny or not. STOP.

    All the positive and negative reviews are useless at this point because unless you've played this game for the last 24 hours or so in one sitting, then you don't know anything about the game.

    This game is massive and there's so much to see and do that no decent reviewer or gamer would dare to review it at this point. Saying that, my review and score are based on my first 8-9 hours in the Destiny universe.

    Firstly, this game is a great social experience. Get a fireteam together and head off the Devils Lair and you will pick up loads of loot and have a great time taking down the "bosses". Scouring the Cosmodrome for jobs and loot is a great way to pass the time and now and again, a public event drops in and the guardians in the area band together to take down a walker.

    There's a lot to unlock, from armour and guns to sparrows and ships. Then there's the Crucible, if you want to scratch your competitive MP itch. For me this is the weakest part of Destiny and feels a little lightweight compared to Halo's MP. The map design isn't great but I'm sure the DLC will sort that out.

    So to sum up so far, Destiny's first few hours in Co-op are excellent and that's where it's strength lies. Give it time and it will grow on you. It's more of an MMO than say Halo, so the more you put in, the more you get out.

    Go buy it and have fun. Oh and add me on XBL, gamertag: monkeyofthefunk.    … Expand
  7. blackeclipsevii
    Sep 17, 2014
    9
    Using all of my free time I have been playing the game for the past week and I love it just as much then as I do now. As of last night (one week from launch) I hit level twenty. The actual gameplay of Destiny is surprisingly long and in depth, though the story is very shallow and lacking narration. The majority of the negative feedback seem to stem from a misconception of what the game is.Using all of my free time I have been playing the game for the past week and I love it just as much then as I do now. As of last night (one week from launch) I hit level twenty. The actual gameplay of Destiny is surprisingly long and in depth, though the story is very shallow and lacking narration. The majority of the negative feedback seem to stem from a misconception of what the game is. Destiny IS an MMO. All the story/leveling quests are repetitive kill and fetch quests, and the game truly begins at the soft level cap of 20 - where you then grind up to 30 by getting gear that has light by repeating dungeons and eventually raiding. Destiny is truly great if it is the type of game you are into. However, if you're expecting a story driven single player en-devour it is not the game for you.… Expand
  8. NightXV
    Sep 12, 2014
    9
    I wish that people would give Destiny a little bit of time before they come on here and blast it, because the game truly opens up as you move along. If you are not a fan of having to trek through the same areas a couple of times to get to where you're going, and don't appreciate long, often difficult boss fights, then this game probably isn't for you. But if you enjoy games that reward youI wish that people would give Destiny a little bit of time before they come on here and blast it, because the game truly opens up as you move along. If you are not a fan of having to trek through the same areas a couple of times to get to where you're going, and don't appreciate long, often difficult boss fights, then this game probably isn't for you. But if you enjoy games that reward you for putting in the time and effort, then I would say that you should give it a shot. It's not perfect, sure, but it offers so much more than the average FPS, and I believe that it has even more in store.… Expand
  9. Cuscaden
    Mar 9, 2015
    9
    I had no intention of getting this generation of consoles, I am mostly a PC gamer. I played this on a friend´s Xbox One and was hooked. Bought my own Xbox One and the edition with the two expansion packs. I love this game. The graphics are great, the game is accessible and I am having a blast with my online buddy. I have ploughed 30 hours into this game so far. Looking forward to years ofI had no intention of getting this generation of consoles, I am mostly a PC gamer. I played this on a friend´s Xbox One and was hooked. Bought my own Xbox One and the edition with the two expansion packs. I love this game. The graphics are great, the game is accessible and I am having a blast with my online buddy. I have ploughed 30 hours into this game so far. Looking forward to years of gaming in Destiny. Great job Bungie.… Expand
  10. CCkAzE
    Oct 13, 2014
    9
    Everyone is hating too much on this game. It's basically the best looking MMO on any platform, and as with just about any MMO, it's not going to be perfect upon release. Yes, there are some issues with the game as it currently exists, but Bungie is already patching the game, and has already announced major expansion plans.

    In terms of presentation, gameplay, and most importantly,    Everyone is hating too much on this game. It's basically the best looking MMO on any platform, and as with just about any MMO, it's not going to be perfect upon release. Yes, there are some issues with the game as it currently exists, but Bungie is already patching the game, and has already announced major expansion plans.

    In terms of presentation, gameplay, and most importantly, potential, this game deserves an 11 out 10. It's one of the most addictive shooters I've ever played. It manages to combine the loot driven PvE content of Borderlands and the insanely polished and fast paced PvP shooting in Halo.

    I'll concede that the story is mediocre at best and some of the minor quests are pretty repetitive (although that's the nature of MMOs), but aside from that, this game is a really fun MMOFPS. It's an absolute blast to play with friends in the Crucible (the PvP arena) as well as in the Strikes and Raids (group PvE content).

    Are there things they could have done slightly better? Yes, but overall, it's getting way too much hate from other users and critics. Diablo 3 was a joke when it launched, and it's now been completely revamped into a much more streamlined and enjoyable experience. Destiny has even more potential than Diablo, and there's a pretty huge amount of room for new content and improvement upon existing content.    … Expand
  11. Ahamilt0n
    Sep 9, 2014
    9
    Better than Titanfall. Im afraid its going to be short and if they dont pump out new content ASAP they may have been under prepared for the long run. Destiny does a good job of mixing genres and I will continue to play it but I cant say exactly how long. After 36 hours of intense playing Im level 15.
  12. SenshudoTV
    Sep 13, 2014
    9
    Destiny has a great universe with massive potential, while the initial story seems short. We completed it within 12 hours, but it doesn’t just stop there’s plenty to do from the Crucible, Strikes and the upcoming Raid Parties. There’s no doubt that as the months go by we’ll see more added and balanced with Destiny. Bungie has made a fantastic game which in doubt this writer will spend aDestiny has a great universe with massive potential, while the initial story seems short. We completed it within 12 hours, but it doesn’t just stop there’s plenty to do from the Crucible, Strikes and the upcoming Raid Parties. There’s no doubt that as the months go by we’ll see more added and balanced with Destiny. Bungie has made a fantastic game which in doubt this writer will spend a great many more hours playing.… Expand
  13. busbfran
    Sep 13, 2014
    9
    Destiny is an extremely polished game by the best in the business Bungie, that executes gunplay and powers to make this one of the most satisfying games this year. The weapon sounds and mechanics are very similar to Halo's natural, as well as sound design and AI. Although the game lacks the pushing story its a shame it couldn't match the potential of what it could of been. However itDestiny is an extremely polished game by the best in the business Bungie, that executes gunplay and powers to make this one of the most satisfying games this year. The weapon sounds and mechanics are very similar to Halo's natural, as well as sound design and AI. Although the game lacks the pushing story its a shame it couldn't match the potential of what it could of been. However it provided enough to keep me moving forward. The range of enemies variety can somewhat be overshadowed by repetitive missions, but injuring this game with a friend, will make it much, much more enjoyable. Character upgrading is a massive area to explore that will take time to select your best equipment and abilities. Talking a bout massive the planet maps are amazingly good, along with level design. Destiny is a MUST! and a FPS heaven.… Expand
  14. Cirrusstrafe
    Sep 10, 2014
    9
    It's fun. It's more fun with friends. It's not Halo, it's not Borderlands, and it's not Call of Duty. It's kind of its own thing that borrows a lot of concepts from other games, merges them all nicely--some more than others--and polishes everything so well that if the sun were out it would blind you. It's doing what it wants to do very, very well.

    However, a lot of people get the wrong    It's fun. It's more fun with friends. It's not Halo, it's not Borderlands, and it's not Call of Duty. It's kind of its own thing that borrows a lot of concepts from other games, merges them all nicely--some more than others--and polishes everything so well that if the sun were out it would blind you. It's doing what it wants to do very, very well.

    However, a lot of people get the wrong picture, or expect the wrong thing, or just "don't get it" so I'm going to clear a lot of the misconceptions up right now, as neutrally as possible, so as to guide people who are on the fence or help people who don't seem to like it learn to like it more for what it is and not what they were expecting it to be.

    Destiny is first and foremost a co-op game, and is greatly enhanced by playing with a tight-knit group of friends. It is also about "grinding." The thing about grinding though, is that it isn't really a grind when you're doing it with your friends. Destiny creates this great play space for your friends to hook up for a few hours and just blow **** up together, whilst slowly gaining power for bigger, crazier things (Storms, Raids, etc).
    Destiny's core play model seems to be to lay the groundwork for continual "grind" style advancement, but then serve that up on a silver platter with fun, polished gameplay, frenetic action, and doing it all with your friends, all at easily choosable and switchable levels of difficulty and depth while being able to flip to PvP at the drop of a hat.

    It is not without its flaws. The first few hours of pacing are really awful compared to everything mid-Moon and on. Similarly, the game doesn't really hit full stride until you, and your friends, hit max level and you all start gunning for super difficult stuff as a team. Thankfully this only takes about 12-14 hours to get to, and it's not like the game isn't smooth and fun up till then anyway.
    The storytelling excels in some places (Venus-endgame/Awoken arc) and falls super flat in others (Ghost's VAing, Dinklage I am disappoint). Many things are not explained well, if at all (bounties, transferring gear between characters, how vendor rep/levels and faction rep works).

    All in all, for what it sets out to do, it hits home well enough to have a truck load of staying power, especially if they really ratchet out the expansions and DLC quickly.

    In terms of just wanting to hang out with friends and blow **** up while feeling a sense of advancement and at the same time opting in or out of competition at my discretion, this is totally going to be my number one go to now. It hits all those marks with flying colors, at least for me. I just hope enough of my bros stick with it when the dust settles.

    TL;DR
    Destiny is co-op loot grind game at its core and if you don't like that then it won't appeal to you at all, but it's the first FPS style one that really gets it right. The gunplay is great, the graphics are fantastic, the underlying design is solid, and the UI/menus/feedback/HUD should be an industry standard.
    Bungie cast a mortar and pestle out of gold, polished the crap out of it, made it **** out candy and explosions while you did it, and put in up to five extra handles for your friends.

    I can only assume the reason this game has a 5.0 average user rating as of this review due to the fact that half of the players were expecting something else, and the other half realize what it is and like it.    … Expand
  15. Pyrefyre
    Sep 15, 2014
    9
    This game does not have the story that MMORPGs have, but it has very little RPG elements. However this game has something that WoW and other MMOs don't have, it is fun to play whether you are in a guild or not. You can play this game buy yourself and still have fun, then you could jump into a party and have a blast.

    Reviews of "this is the most repetitive game I have ever played" must    This game does not have the story that MMORPGs have, but it has very little RPG elements. However this game has something that WoW and other MMOs don't have, it is fun to play whether you are in a guild or not. You can play this game buy yourself and still have fun, then you could jump into a party and have a blast.

    Reviews of "this is the most repetitive game I have ever played" must be from people that don't play games, because all games are repetitive. Football - score goals, CoD - kill other players, any racing game ever - overtake and don't wreck.    … Expand
  16. Sipheren
    Sep 9, 2014
    9
    Got it yesterday and loving it so far, the music and visuals are amazing. The story is pretty cool so far, I like the voice acting. The game play is very cool, all the mechanics seem really smooth. Big thumbs up from me.
  17. RevWynn85
    Sep 16, 2014
    9
    First, did it live up to the outrageous expectations? Nope, and there's not any game out there that could if you're real and honest about it. But when it comes to judging games, we really shouldn't judge it on what we "thought" or "expected" it to be. What it is, is a fun but flawed game. The combat, the presentation, the visuals (the world's), the classes, the looting, the co-op evenFirst, did it live up to the outrageous expectations? Nope, and there's not any game out there that could if you're real and honest about it. But when it comes to judging games, we really shouldn't judge it on what we "thought" or "expected" it to be. What it is, is a fun but flawed game. The combat, the presentation, the visuals (the world's), the classes, the looting, the co-op even the pvp are all top-tier. However, there are flaws - 1. The Story is egregious, it is atrocious, it stinks. (The premise is incredible, the execution is NOT) 2. (Personal Opinion) I didn't enjoy the same starting points on levels, it kinda took you out of the immersion where you say to yourself, I was just here, and this new mission I am on is something I could have done last time I was here, rather than travel to a different planet to receive the mission and then come back and go through it all again..so yea there's a sense of repetition. 3. (From #2) Repetition - from starting points where you have to go through same bad guys, or the level structure which is exactly the same every time - go here, shoot bad guys, go there, shoot bad guys, deploy ghost, defend ghost against bad guys, mission over. A little bit of change of pace in the mission structure would be nice (But really...think about it...Halo, which gets terrific reviews every time is all about repetition - go here, shoot bad guys, go here, defend against bad guys, repeat. HOWEVER - aside from these flaws it's the most fun (well...that and Diablo III for me personally) you'll have playing video games today. Brushing aside the expectations, Destiny delivers!… Expand
  18. MaGicBush
    Sep 10, 2014
    9
    At this point I am rating the game a 9 out of 10, although I am not to far into it. As long as the content is at least 30 hours worth then I will keep that rating(which I would say it will be more than that looking at all the things to buy and save for). The gameplay is a blast, and the graphics are the best I have seen yet on the xbox one. I love being able to tell if someone is aroundAt this point I am rating the game a 9 out of 10, although I am not to far into it. As long as the content is at least 30 hours worth then I will keep that rating(which I would say it will be more than that looking at all the things to buy and save for). The gameplay is a blast, and the graphics are the best I have seen yet on the xbox one. I love being able to tell if someone is around the corner just by seeing their shadow on surrounding objects if the lighting is right. The gameplay itself is very fluid and seems to be a mixture of Halo, and Mass Effect. The seemless co-op play at any point in the game is a very welcomed addition and something the Xbox one needed, as me and a friend have been waiting for a good co-op game and none had been released to this point unless you count BF4 which I don't consider really co-op since you cannot go through the campaign together. Those bashing the game are just that, bashers. You can tell reading the 0 review ratings that they have put little effort into the game and most likely may not even own the game. The game is not repetitive so far and I have put about 5 hours into it, and each mission is somewhat unique your not just going to point a and b and killing stuff as some others stated. The only reason I have not given the game a 10 is because to me no game can be perfect, there are some little things that I would love to see expanded upon or improved. The tech tree seems pretty lame as in you have no choice on what abilities to unlock each level unless this changes later on. You have a specific ability you get each level, and that is it. So the same class will be to different from each other. However I have noticed there is sub classes that I have yet to unlock and maybe that will add that customization I was hoping to see.… Expand
  19. mcconnin
    Dec 5, 2014
    9
    I have been playing this game in the evenings after my wife and kids go to bed. I tried some of the other recent releases but they just don't seem to be any where near as immersive or entertaining for me.

    If you like shooter games I can not see giving this game below a 6. I give it a 9 with potential for a 10. For me this game gets better as I play it. I played my first Nightfall    I have been playing this game in the evenings after my wife and kids go to bed. I tried some of the other recent releases but they just don't seem to be any where near as immersive or entertaining for me.

    If you like shooter games I can not see giving this game below a 6. I give it a 9 with potential for a 10. For me this game gets better as I play it. I played my first Nightfall Strike two nights ago and it was an amazing experience. It was so good I now have to rate Destiny is one of the top 2 or 3 games I have played. (Mass Effect are the others)

    I typically don't write reviews or letters to editors but after seeing zeros... I felt compelled to praise the people who crafted it. Thank you, Bungie. (note, I am a bit ticked you are giving an extra strike to the PS4... but I get over it.)    … Expand
  20. Chippeez
    Sep 16, 2014
    9
    While Destiny initially comes off as a highly-repetitive, highly disjointed experience, it blossoms into something much better, given the chance. True, content after getting through the story arc is limited to repeating a bunch of very simple-natured missions and bullet-sponge boss raids (strikes), the core gameplay is something that ages like wine. The controls are impeccably tuned.While Destiny initially comes off as a highly-repetitive, highly disjointed experience, it blossoms into something much better, given the chance. True, content after getting through the story arc is limited to repeating a bunch of very simple-natured missions and bullet-sponge boss raids (strikes), the core gameplay is something that ages like wine. The controls are impeccably tuned. The graphics and vistas, amazing. The weapons (at least the more rare weapons) have special upgrade features that actually change the way you not only play, but the way you *want* to play. I was a rifle user through and through. I obtained a lucky rare hand-cannon drop. It's upgrade paths included ones for aiming, damage, and range. In Destiny, the hand cannon is like a short-range insta-gib. After levelling up the gun and getting it's upgrades, it became much more. The weapon became me and I became the weapon.

    If you enjoy Halo, Mass Effect, Borderlands or the like, you should really give the game a try. Stick it out, though and the rewards become more substantial. Additionally, Bungie's post release support plans for new content regularly patched in have me wondering what exotic locales in the Solar System we may yet see. Fantastic game, easily worth a buy to most.    … Expand
  21. MrSquidga
    Sep 9, 2014
    9
    The game starts off with missions which, if you participated in the beta, you would have played already, and will seem a bit dull. Reading negative reviews, I'm not sure how far they have progressed in the game, and also not sure what they expected from an MMO.

    Some of the levels have already provided a good challenge, and I am currently waiting for friends to get their copies to make    The game starts off with missions which, if you participated in the beta, you would have played already, and will seem a bit dull. Reading negative reviews, I'm not sure how far they have progressed in the game, and also not sure what they expected from an MMO.

    Some of the levels have already provided a good challenge, and I am currently waiting for friends to get their copies to make it more enjoyable (what game isn't more fun with friends).

    The way the game was made means Bungie can easily add lots of content in the future.

    Not sure what some people were expecting but instead of reading bad reviews from people with nothing else better to do, I'd recommend taking time to go watch gameplay videos, and wait for actual reviews to be released.    … Expand
  22. Flute
    Sep 15, 2014
    9
    lifetime gamer here and longtime fps shooter fan. Started playing Battlefield 1942 and love FPS. Not an MMO player at all but thought I'd give Destiny a try since it also wrapped in some RPG elements that I love. So far I've had a ton of fun playing with friends in story mode and strikes and also playing solo in the crucible. I've played roughly 20 hours and finished the story missions.lifetime gamer here and longtime fps shooter fan. Started playing Battlefield 1942 and love FPS. Not an MMO player at all but thought I'd give Destiny a try since it also wrapped in some RPG elements that I love. So far I've had a ton of fun playing with friends in story mode and strikes and also playing solo in the crucible. I've played roughly 20 hours and finished the story missions.

    Graphics are very good, not mind blowing, but better than I expect from 30 fps. Audio is great with gun sounds & explosions done very well and the music is very good also although not as good as Halo. I'm not sure if firing the former Halo music director Marty O'Donnell was a wise decision. Matchmaking for strikes and PvP is fast and the combat play is solid. No server crashes whatsoever. Loot drops and loot awards are random and level appropriate which is a fair and equitable system. Destiny's phone app is the one of the best I've seen allowing you to view your buddies loadouts and even equip and adjust your own loadout.

    On the negative side there seems to be a love hate relationship going on with this game, a lot of it I'm sure is due to the hype train setting peoples expectations too high. The other aspect of that is people who were expecting a Mass Effect type of story from the get go. I do agree Bungie could have done a better job fleshing out the story line, maybe introducing a few more memorable characters instead of directing you to Bungie.com to learn more about the lore. That is lame this day in age. We will go to Bungie.com if there is a compelling reason to, not to learn more about the Hive or the Fallen that should have been ingame information. Hopefully they patch in an encyclopedia like the one that was in Mass Effect. Also lacking is the social aspect in the tower. The inability to chat with anyone without having to join a fireteam is just strange when they tout the social aspect of the game. Watching your character dance is not a substitute for this. As I mentioned I've played mostly with friends and I think that's what makes this game fun. For the majority of the bad reviews I bet they were playing solo, which I give Bungie credit for making the game even playable that way. I feel like Bungie is trying to draw in a huge community of solo players and slowing introduce them into the multiplayer world at a pace that makes them comfortable. The risk there is they will get turned off before they join in the multiplayer community.

    I give the game an 8 and I hope in a year I can come back and give it a 9 because of the support and content that Bungie has promised to bring so the ball is squarely in Bungie's court to not burn those of us who are enjoying the game. My fear is that it will become way too repetitive and grinding and I will lose interest due to lack of content. I hope my fears are false.    … Expand
  23. AkimboTitan
    Sep 9, 2014
    9
    Destiny arrived this morning and I have been playing it for around 7 hours, ergo this is only really a first impressions review. This is coming from a fan of CoD, Halo (Die-hard fan), Battlefield, Boarderlands, and Titanfall, as well as Forza.

    For me, the only aspect in which Destiny dissapoints is the actual gunplay. The gunplay feels like a remake gone-wrong of Halo. Honestly, I    Destiny arrived this morning and I have been playing it for around 7 hours, ergo this is only really a first impressions review. This is coming from a fan of CoD, Halo (Die-hard fan), Battlefield, Boarderlands, and Titanfall, as well as Forza.

    For me, the only aspect in which Destiny dissapoints is the actual gunplay. The gunplay feels like a remake gone-wrong of Halo. Honestly, I sometimes felt that if they were gonna rip of their Halo franchise, they should have copied the lot. The shooting is not as snappy, or accuracy-based as Halo is, and that tells me that this game won't ever be competitive. They really should have left the gunplay as it was, because Halo stuck that balance perfectly.

    However, this game is more than just shooting. I can't help but feel that all these guys giving it a 0 either haven't given this game a chance, or haven't played it at all. The whole ambience and feel of the world is real and ingaging. The graphic style is awesome, and render/draw distances even more impressive than Dead Rising 3, (and resolution is at full HD 1080p). The soundtrack, though not quite Martin O'Donnell's best work, is atmospheric and iconic.

    The most fun to be had is on Patrols, Strikes, and Raids with friends. (No, we didn't complete the raid D: ). The game is certainly a social experiece, and if you don't have a group of 3 or so friends to play with, you won't experience all that Destiny has to offer, and I'd reccomend sticking with CoD or BF or Titanfall. The level design for the open-world is very good. I mean VERY good. The skyboxes are incredible (similar to Titanfall's), and the levels never leave you without action for too long. Character Customization is cool and very extensive, but doesn't persuade me to try to unlock more gear to swag myself up like I was hoping.

    Although the crucible is, in some ways, Destiny's achilles heel, due to the frankly bland gunplay, It certainly adds to the experience. I hear complaints that you can't start in the crucible until level 5? Trust me, you probably won't want to. I recommend getting though the first few campaign missions and do a strike with some friends before getting into the crucible. Fundamentally though, The crucible itself lacks identity. Its customization is very extensive (same guardian as co-op), which is fun and interesting, especially for casuals, but compromises competitive play. Crucible is, despite it's relative lack of revolutionary ideas, is great fun and is a greater challenge than that found in co-op. You can rely on the crucible to hold your interest for a few hours until your friends come online.

    Lastly, the framerate is very steady for me, never dropping at all. The controller is perfect for this game, which in some ways actually redeems it. Having played the game on my PS4 aswell, I can tell you that X1 is the place to play Destiny. Movement is fluid, responsive and natural, unlike the clunky nature of the PS4 controller, plus there is no spec difference between the versions. Matchmaking (where applicable) is rapid and finds great, no-lag games most of the time, with matches being close almost every time as well.

    The Verdict! Destiny is not perfect. Neither is is the best game of the year, nor Bungie's best game. But, with the debatable exception on crucible and gunplay, the game is fun an unique in its own right. This isn't the Holy Grail of fps games, no game ever will be, but this game has impressed me. Its scale is massive. This game is fun, and is worth the price tag. I certainly do not regret my purchase, and would recommend this to any FPS fan, looking mainly for a co-op/singleplayer experience.    … Expand
  24. qcDOOMqc
    Sep 9, 2014
    9
    Borderlands + Halo + Mass effect with a MMO twist to it... simply amazing. There is a very solid PVP in this game, sure it's not balanced or competitive as Halo (especially the coming Halo 5!), but it's still very solid.

    Ton of content solo, coop, pvp, "raids", dynamic events... it really is its own thing, love it! easily a 9/10.
  25. mrpiccollo
    Oct 5, 2014
    9
    This game is criminally underrated, really fun and with lots of daily content and weekly updates plus scores of endgame content to keep people busy, Extremely pleased with my purchase.

    Try it yourself it has so much depth and variation and the game only starts really when you get to level 20-26
  26. akcollector
    Dec 9, 2014
    9
    The games can be repetative at times, but I have over 350 hours in it now and its more about the social aspect and playing with friends. They are improving the game a little each update so it will only get better. I only took a point away because of the disparity between the content in ps4 and xone. I paid the same for the game and dlc and you screw me for choosing to play on xone. I haveThe games can be repetative at times, but I have over 350 hours in it now and its more about the social aspect and playing with friends. They are improving the game a little each update so it will only get better. I only took a point away because of the disparity between the content in ps4 and xone. I paid the same for the game and dlc and you screw me for choosing to play on xone. I have both systems but have the game on one because of the social environmental of xbox live.… Expand
  27. Bopperman
    Sep 29, 2014
    9
    I am really struggling to understand some of the negative reviews for Destiny. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but giving Destiny a zero is not credible in my view. It leads me to suspect that the writers of such reviews are either working for the competition or their just being objectionable.

    I've read lots of reviews; official critics and users who have said that Destiny is    I am really struggling to understand some of the negative reviews for Destiny. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but giving Destiny a zero is not credible in my view. It leads me to suspect that the writers of such reviews are either working for the competition or their just being objectionable.

    I've read lots of reviews; official critics and users who have said that Destiny is trying to be all things and mastering none. This could be true, but it depends what you want. The question in my view is "do you enjoy playing it?". If you do, does it matter what it's trying to be?

    Ok so there are games that have deeper RPG elements - if you want the depth, play Diablo. From what I've seen so far there are lots of weapons & ability upgrades, with gradual enough increments to make it fun; without needing an encyclopedia.

    No story? I'm not a fan of cut scenes, so the minimal story is fine with me - I enjoy running around the beautiful landscapes and shooting things; in this respect Destiny ticks the boxes. The shooting element, which is actual the point of the game is fantastic.

    I'm a massive fan of Battlefield and in my view it is hard to beat for multiplayer - but battlefield's 32 v 32 matches are chaos 99% of the time and unfortunately in my experience the cooperative / team element of battlefield is not fully exploited by players. Very few player use the mic and the vast majority play the game as loners. Even so great game. Destiny is a different thing and not trying to compete.

    The co-op missions in Destiny are the highlight - you really feel like you're working as a team even with no verbal communication; it's very natural and feels better than Battlefield in my view.

    We can get picky about the details if we want; talking about weapons balance etc....boring...There plenty of weapons from high rate of fire kill everyone in the room types to precision weapons, to all kinds of specials....so pick the weapons you enjoy playing with and have fun and don't complain about this weapon being over power or that one taking too long to reload.

    The only area that is negative in my view is the AI; for the most part the enemies appear in exactly the same places and aren't particular clever. Yes they hide behind cover when your are hitting them from range, but they don't stay there and pop out now and again so you can shoot them in the head; when realistically you'd just stay behind the cover and wait for the enemy to come to you; or try some suppression and diversion to get some bodies in amongst the sniper. Where fights get tough it's because either there are a lot of enemies or/and they have a lot of hit points & fire power; not because they are smart. This is a pity, but Destiny manages to pitch the challenge nicely against your level, so your are in the most part on the edge of your players ability.

    Overall great game that will keep you coming back for hours on end.    … Expand
  28. Booradley18
    Sep 16, 2014
    9
    WELL BALANCED ONLINE GAME

    VERY LONG TIME GAMER REVIEW. I played atari and got a NES system when they were brand new. Have played almost every system released since, even 3do. THIS IS AN UPDATED REVIEW AFTER PLAYING FOR ONE WEEK I AM RETAINING MY 9 RATING as some of my only issues have already been corrected. I did not consider them in my original first impression review as they    WELL BALANCED ONLINE GAME

    VERY LONG TIME GAMER REVIEW. I played atari and got a NES system when they were brand new. Have played almost every system released since, even 3do.

    THIS IS AN UPDATED REVIEW AFTER PLAYING FOR ONE WEEK I AM RETAINING MY 9 RATING as some of my only issues have already been corrected. I did not consider them in my original first impression review as they seemed like day one launch type glitches that are usually resolved immediately. And they were. So maybe 9.5

    The Negative:

    1. Server issues. I don't want to see another code "fly" "hare" or "centipede" again, EVER! This game seems to be 100% connected and requires internet access to play at all times. This is scary considering how fun this game is. If the achilles heal here is the internet or server access. UPDATE: The server issues have settled, as I have not had more than 1 or 2 disconnections since the day one issues. I've noticed a couple of updates that hopefully fixed the problem. Also, one issue I noticed was with the sound. This still seems to be an issue and it occurs when you leave the game for some time and maybe "xbox go to TV" for a bit and then come back. Whenever I returned, I would have sound for xbox commands but not for the game itself. FULL REBOOT needed. Now I can just re-sign in and it seems to correct the sound. FIX THIS!

    2. Repetitiveness - As any long time or informed gamer will know, every game is repetitive to an extent. Historically some of the most simple and repetitive games are also the most successful, ie PacMan. It is expected and to base your whole negative review on that element says a lot about how much you do not understand about yourself and games. The only negative thing I feel when I play this game, when it comes to repetitiveness is with the levels themselves. It takes away from the richness, realness and diversity of each individual level or mission when you have already been to the exact same area in a previous one. It is still challenging, just distracting. It feels cheap and adds a rushed feel when you encounter this as a gamer. It's kind of like when you compare the original "Yoda" from Star Wars vs the CGI Yoda of the newer Star Wars. The original Yoda was more life-like and convincing. With the original puppet Yoda, you were not distracted by thoughts of the CGI version like, "I wonder if the actor was actually talking to someone when they acted out this scene or if they were pretending someone was there??" That is kind of how I felt about the recycling of the levels, it was distracting and took away from the reality or real factor as you try to imagine a real life situation that would warrant coming back to the same place over and over again to fight a different enemy... "Why didn't we just do that the first time we were here?"

    3. Difficulty Settings Are Limited - I love the challenge of increasing the challenge, but that is difficult to do from a single player standpoint. You only get two choices in this and it is possible that you could select a difficulty making the completion of the level impossible or too time consuming. This may be irrelevant as this game is very well balanced and seems to adjust to you, never dull or never too easy on "normal."

    4. Lack of social presence. Seems crazy when you consider you see other players all the time in this game. This is unlike Rockstar's "Red Dead" where you could chat within proximity of other players. You cannot chat with others unless you are partied up.

    The good:

    1. This game is so well balanced it is like a hybrid of a reality based game, first person shooter, and fantasy. Almost everything can be customized, ranked up, and expanded upon. Your stats, gear, and record are public and comparing with friends is very easy. Which for any competitive player, will suck you right in. You can add some variety to your character by adding and ranking up sub-classes as you go. I have only touched on this and it seems exciting and strategically challenging. Your classes only grow with level rank increase so you begin questioning, "Do I focus on my primary class or secondary?" Your rank is your rank. It and your weapons carry over from the storyline to multiplayer. I love this, it reduces the learning curve and encourages more people to play multiplayer versus.

    2. Social factor - As of this review conversing freely with other players is not happening. But the presence of other players carrying out their missions distant from you and sometimes crossing with your objective, is really cool.

    3 Visually stunning you will stop and gaze.

    The bottom line: This is a great game. The negative are very minor in comparison to the addictiveness, fun, challenge, and richness of this game. If you buy this game you will not be disappointed.    … Expand
  29. Leiros
    Sep 9, 2014
    9
    This has been a fun game so far. It's been out for a day, so we'll have to see how it fares over time. However, it's like Halo and Diablo had a baby and named it Destiny. I say it's like Diablo because of the gear grind. Multiplayer really reminds me of Halo. I'm surprised at all the negative reviews people are posting on here. It makes me wonder what they were expecting. I'm enjoying theThis has been a fun game so far. It's been out for a day, so we'll have to see how it fares over time. However, it's like Halo and Diablo had a baby and named it Destiny. I say it's like Diablo because of the gear grind. Multiplayer really reminds me of Halo. I'm surprised at all the negative reviews people are posting on here. It makes me wonder what they were expecting. I'm enjoying the game and it can only get better over time. It's way better than Titanfall.… Expand
  30. Razel90
    Sep 9, 2014
    9
    When I first began playing the game I felt frustrated by the lack of open world chat but then I realized it added to the feeling of isolation and despair of awakening in the ruins of the old world to start my journey into the behemoth world of Destiny. I began my quest solo and ended up running into some players while completing a public event which led to me gaining a solid group ofWhen I first began playing the game I felt frustrated by the lack of open world chat but then I realized it added to the feeling of isolation and despair of awakening in the ruins of the old world to start my journey into the behemoth world of Destiny. I began my quest solo and ended up running into some players while completing a public event which led to me gaining a solid group of people to quest and PvP with which made the experience alot more enjoyable! Having a blast 9/10 for me… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Best Xbox One Game of 2014
2
#2 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2014
4
#4 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Nov 8, 2014
    60
    It's a slick, mechanically sound, and lavishly produced shooter that uses beauty to try and mask the potentially great but uninspired gameplay inside. [Issue#117, p.62]
  2. Pure Xbox
    Oct 21, 2014
    70
    Destiny feels like the key elements of an FPS and an MMO gently resting shoulder to shoulder, instead of being fused together in a truly creative way. It plays and looks great, and offers many, many hours of entertainment to anyone okay with repeating the same tasks, but it isn’t exactly the game-changing science fiction epic we felt it was aspiring to.
    Read full review
  3. Hyper Magazine
    Oct 16, 2014
    70
    An ambitious if repetitive combination of shooter and loot based ARPG. A boost in loot drop frequency could definitely boost the fun/score. [Issue#254, p.47]
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