No, no, no, wait, why do I play this game again? (Destiny)

by Durandal, Thursday, March 31, 2016, 18:02 (3253 days ago) @ CruelLEGACEY

"do I enjoy leveling up in Destiny?"

No, I get minimal joy from it, mostly it's a race to the top so I can do all the things that are locked out till you are max level. You really don't get to enjoy much of the game till you hit that level.

"what does the rank and light level system really add to Destiny?">

Nothing for me, other then limiting some of my weapons and gear options.

"In what ways is Destiny better thanks to RNG?"

I think the RNG aspect really encourages you to try weapons and equipment that you otherwise wouldn't touch, just because those are your high light options. With the new infusion system, people will really chase rolls on guns, and won't feel as compelled to try other weapons just because they are higher light.

I generally don't consider the above the best approach to encourage players to try different things, I would prefer a more modular approach. With respect to exotics, RNG is nice when the field is open and any exotic drop is special, but once you have about 75% of the exotics then it starts becoming punishing as you get the same weapon or armor piece over and over and over while that last one turns into your elusive unicorn.

The weapons quests were better. I liked Bungie's thought that weapons should be tied to a story of how you got them, but nearly all of mine are random drops which makes it less impressive. And since I don't really have any design input on guns, I'm really just iterating till i get a roll i like rather then having any good story behind most of my weapons.

So why do I play this game?

Comradarie is a big part, as is the setting. I'll tolerate games i hate, like COD, just to play with my friends, but I won't solo those games.

Destiny's story is more engaging and interesting to me then the others out there. I think Warframe would come in a close second, along with the Mass Effect series. From the little we've seen it just seems smart and impressive. I like the deep philosophical questions that lie in the grimore cards. I flat out skip the cutscenes and phone messages in the Division.

From a game-play perspective I find Destiny's PVP to be pretty good. Sure, there are things I would like to see fixed, but it feels smooth and mostly fun. COD has it's share of lag, and broken weapons combos and gear, and they've moved into the Pay to Win mode with their new weapons that you can earn via RNG in game, but can pay 100$ to have now.

Division suffers from a punishing RNG with so many hidden stats and LL on top of everything else. The enemies are all the same, just with more shields, and they toss grenades like a taken captain tosses blind balls. All of NY looks the same, and I don't feel at the end of the day that I accomplished anything in the Dark Zone other then a small chance of loot.