'Destiny' Won Me Back

Nearly four months ago, my journey in Destiny began. I started the game with a friend, and as we progressed through the early levels, we both agreed that the game lacked a good story, but had superb gameplay.

Just a few weeks later, however, we fell off the wagon.

Nights of playing Destiny turned into nights playing other games. It’s hard to point a finger at exactly why I felt burned out, but if I had to guess, I’d say it was the monotonous structure found in nearly every story mission. Fight waves of enemies while your companion, known to many as “Dinklebot,” tries to open a door, or tries to analyze data. Over. And over. And over.

We both left the game alone for a few months. In December, we jumped back in to try and at least finish out the story. We wrapped up that portion of the game, and I decided to do some strikes and bounties until I hit level 20.

That’s when everything changed. The game I had a hard time picking back up was suddenly one I couldn’t stop playing.

My friend did not feel the pull. Our two characters were once dead even at level 16. He’s still there. I’m now a 29.

I’m going to share a little secret with you. Those folks who say that Destiny doesn’t really start until level 20? They’re half right. If you’re big on story, you won’t find much going on past the lower-level Mars mission stories… that is, unless you pony up for The Dark Below expansion. But if you are the kind of person who wants to enter the toughest boss fight in the game and mop him up like he’s no big deal, or you’re a collector and you must have every item that exists, Destiny’s endgame will hook you.

Personally, I’d say I’m a mix of both at this point. I love the feeling that my character is getting more powerful. And I’m deeply intrigued by what I don’t have. I always see players talking about the different guns they have, or the cool armor they got from doing a raid, and it instantly creates this feeling that I might be missing out. A Galla-what? Gjallarhorn? It’s the most powerful gun in the game you say? I must have it.

I don’t know if this is some kind of short-term buzz I have for the game, or whether this is real enjoyment that can sustain. And I’m certainly not saying that Destiny is without flaws — there are plenty, and I still feel the game is deserving of the 7-out-of-10-type scores that it got. But I’m finding it to be quite the addicting 7-out-of-10 game, and through future expansions and major updates, it’s only going to improve.

Do you play on Xbox One, by the way? Feel free to add me: FightinPanda.