First things first, we haven't actually finished this game yet, but not through lack of trying. To game developers Bungie's credit, they have created a vast, expansive universe to explore with this game - and any and all future additions - and after a week's worth of playing, we haven't reached its limits yet. What we have ascertained so far is a grasp of just how beautiful the game is, how marvellous a technical marvel the entire project is, and just how repetitive it has the potential to become.
That repetition may be slayed in the future when Bungie start releasing the first of what they claim to be years of extra content for their game, but right now it feels like we're playing in a blueprint and told "This is going to be AMAZING when it's finished."
It also doesn't help that the story that the entire game is pinned to is also underdeveloped, as we're informed that there's a great big war, and we're a small part of it, so go fight it. There's no instant connection like Bungie created with Master Chief in Halo, and despite the MMO elements of creating your own character, it still just feels like you're playing with a pawn in the galaxy's biggest game of chess.
Aside from the one-player game - which isn't REALLY all that one player, as you can see other players online in your game, shooting at the same things you are - there's also the PvP option, as you go in for the kill with a pack or by yourself against a slew of other players online. It's fun in the same way that playing the main campaign is fun, but lacklustre in the same way that we were expecting more, and have been promised more, but just not right now.
However, these "lack of distractions" also help focus on the incredibly tight gameplay and aspects of that create-your-own-adventure freedom, as well as just how beautiful and vivid the whole game is. The lush, propulsive score work, the gorgeous, minutely detailed visuals, the feeling of accomplishment as you gain a new level of experience, the stomach churning fear when you're confronted with a new type of enemy... it's these reactions in players that confirm that Destiny has much of the makings of a classic-in-the-making, so now all we need is a good enough reason to keep playing it.
Platforms: PS4 (review copy), PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360
