Destiny

[TheMightyEthan]

The beta actually did restore some of my interest.  Now I'm actually glad the PC version is delayed, because I can see what console players think after a month of playing before deciding for sure.

[Hot Heart]

I'm liking the look of this. Especially considering how much time I spent in patrol in Destiny 1.

 

And these make for some neat phone wallpapers.

 

Edited July 24, 2017 by Hot Heart

[MetalCaveman]

15 hours ago, Hot Heart said:

That's just because of limited stuff in the beta (and you already start with a fair few weapons anyway). Although, if you're referring generally to the shoot-and-loot cycle then, yeah, that won't change.

That said, given the amount of cutscenes and stuff they're supposed to be including, it sounds like it might make for an okay campaign experience (like, even The Division was alright in that respect).

That was part of the problem for me, having a bunch of high-level weapons and gear, plus an exotic you get in the story mission sort of takes everything away from the other loot, specially if they all have te same level, same damage, etc. Would have been better to have some degreeof progression there.

BTW Did anyone here get into the hub area? How was it?

[Hot Heart]

13 hours ago, MetalCaveman said:

That was part of the problem for me, having a bunch of high-level weapons and gear, plus an exotic you get in the story mission sort of takes everything away from the other loot, specially if they all have te same level, same damage, etc. Would have been better to have some degreeof progression there.

That's not what the beta was for though.

I wasn't around while the hub was up, but I can find a video if people are interested. Only the environment was there. No vendors, vaults, chickens, footballs, etc. as they were literally just testing capacity... which sounds odd if you don't have everything present as it should be, but Bungie know better than me.

I know people were having fun just jumping all over the scenery and getting on top of the buildings...

[CorgiShinobi]

Been meaning to post some of my Beta stuff. If you're looking for Farm images, I took more scenic screenshots. It was only filled with players, no NPCs, so all we could do was explore and play soccer/football.

[CorgiShinobi]

Didn't want to fill my one post with too much media. Here are my two videos that I thought I'd share.

 

 

[TheMightyEthan]

PSA: I've updated the PXoD Destiny Group to become a Clan for Destiny 2.  That means as of August 23 the PXoD "group" will be deleted, only the "clan" will remain, so anyone who's a member of the group but doesn't have it set as their clan will be kicked out.  You can set it as your clan from the group page on bungie.net

[Strangelove]

I get less excited for destiny 2 the more the date gets closer to it's release. I just didn't really feel the beta.

[Hot Heart]

I'm glad to see Bungie starting to show more and more now, since stuff that was leaking, being gleaned, etc. made it sound like a step in the wrong direction.

 

Anyway, there's a few more trailers

 

 

 

[Hot Heart]

And here's some gameplay stuff now they're at Gamescon:

 

 

 

 

I haven't had a chance to watch them myself but there are some things people have spotted or figured out based on stuff they saw. It feels stupid to spoiler this one but just in case anyone wants the surprise

The TTK subclasses are things you unlock later on while regaining all your powers

 

And something that's cool to see this time but possible story spoiler...

There will, at some point, be Fallen fighting alongside you. Which feels like it might be reminiscent of the UNSC & Sangheili situation from Halo 2 onwards. Noice.

 

[CorgiShinobi]

I'm trying not to spoil myself right now.

 

I don't normally do this, but part of me wants to go in surprised at what Bungie is bringing to the sequel.

[Hot Heart]

Yeah, after the amount of news snippets and stuff I've seen all of a sudden, I'm thinking I'd rather leave a lot of it as a surprise. I've already seen enough that I'm confident the game will be worthwhile.

[TheMightyEthan]

Here's my dilemma with Destiny 2:

 

1. I want to play it on the TV instead of my computer screen

2. That means I will be playing with a controller (likely Steam controller if I play on PC)

3. I am worried that on PC I will be at too much of a disadvantage, even PvE (I don't really do PvP so I'm not worried there)

4. Getting it on console requires resubscribing to their premium multiplayer service, effectively doubling the cost of the game

 

I don't know what to do

[Mal]

I don't think most people mind that you use a controller for PvE. Of course PvP is a completely different story.

[CorgiShinobi]

Yeah, if it's only for PvE, I don't think you'll be hurting using a controller. Even if you do a Raid, I don't see using a controller when facing AI would be a disadvantage.

 

Only PvP would be a concern. You've got to tackle other human beings either being clever or stupid, but not predictable.

[TheMightyEthan]

Apparently on PC they have regions just like StarCraft, so you can't play with people in the US region and Europe region at the same time.  That is lame as balls.

[TheMightyEthan]

Well, you guys had reassured me about playing with a controller, but I just played the beta and goddamn, I am so much deadlier with a mouse, I know I would always be dragging the team down playing with a controller, but playing on the computer monitor just is not as immersive as on the TV.

 

I guess I could play with a controller on the TV when I'm playing solo and switch to monitor/mouse when I'm in a fireteam...

[CorgiShinobi]

I'm downloading the PC Beta really just to see if I could run the thing at a respectable resolution and framerate. I still have a HDTV circa 2006, so 4K isn't actually a demand I have at the moment. If it can be 1080p60, I'm going to be tempted.

 

But then I remember PC version doesn't come out until late October.

[TheMightyEthan]

I cancelled my preorder.  I actually figured out a way to play the game with a mouse and keyboard in front of my TV using a lapdesk, so I solved that problem, but then I realized that if I get it I'll probably like it but compulsively play it way more than my enjoyment would justify, so I'd rather just not let it into my life.

 

*Edit - As far as performance goes, I was able to run it at a flawless 4k60 with everything maxed except SMAA instead of MSAA (which imo SMAA tends to get better coverage than MSAA anyway) and ambient occlusion on HDAO instead of whatever the max is called.  This is on a GTX 1080, i7 6700k, and 16 GB of RAM.

Edited August 29, 2017 by TheMightyEthan

[Hot Heart]

This has been a real rollercoaster ride, Ethan.

[TheMightyEthan]

I know everyone's super concerned with whether I get Destiny and what platform I get it on.

[Hot Heart]

I like Luke Smith.

 

I'm encouraged by his comments about a couple of things.

 

1. The comment about making ability stats more meaningful. While your levels of Intellect, Discipline and Strength did have an impact, it wasn't always that obvious. With the Agility, Resilience & Recovery stuff it sounds like they're trying to make it more intuitive and much more pronounced.

2. The weapon switch-up. So, there's a little insight into the switch to Kinetic, Energy & Power.  Besides the obvious reining in shotguns, snipers, etc. for balance there's the way that energy weapons interact with shields (popping the shield with a matching type causes an AoE explosion which also stuns the target) and other guardians (matching the element of the super a guardian is performing will deal more damage to them). So if sunbreakers are deemed too strong, at least a team that knows to bring solar weapons stands a better chance against them.

[Hot Heart]

FOR THE PUPPIES!

 

[CorgiShinobi]

I didn't get a lot of time with the PC beta. I was primarily more concerned with optimization, controls, and overall the difference between it and the console beta.

 

Surprisingly you can do very well for yourself if you use controller even in PvP. Admittedly I know the hardcore PC competitive base would still mop you using KB+M, but you're not at such a disadvantage. There's concern that people might spoof the aim assist for controller while using KB+M, which would be a nightmare as TTK is already insane with team-shooting and using mouse.

 

The default key bindings were odd and one of the things I didn't care for was how many of the abilities are tied to an individual button. Granted, if you have a mouse with many programmable buttons, you can alleviate this for say weapons, melee, and etc. Still, it's probably muscle memory as I kept goofing up on the controls in PvP. I once accidentally cast my Super when I meant to throw my grenade when experimenting on key bindings. Since I main as Hunter, the dodge roll was a bit odd to use in terms of movement.

 

The first time I cast Arc Blade, I didn't land a single hit and was taken out by the noobish of all Titans. After that I got the hang of it. On the reverse, Golden Gun is so deadly on PC. I swear it's like Destiny's version of High Noon. You see your enemy cast it in the feed and you hide. Mark my words, similar to how it was in Destiny 1, there's going to be a bias for Golden Gun in PvP for PC.

 

I don't mean to sound like I'm ragging on the PC version. For all intents and purposes if you've got a modern build and don't have any attachment to the console Destiny 1, you'll be set on PC thanks to it's performance and visuals. Personally, it's using keyboard for movement that gets me. While I was running the game 1080p60 with my GTX 760, my textures were on Medium and the rest being High or Medium. It was like running the PS4 beta at a smooth 60fps. Truly gorgeous and I'll definitely envy it when playing on PS4.

 

My point is that the only difference for me was the frame rate and aiming with mouse. I don't have as much of an incentive to jump to PC come October 24 when I can get to it in less than a week. Not even counting the PS4 exclusives, I oddly feel more comfortable with the game on PS4. To reiterate I believe no matter what platform you choose, you'll be well off for enjoying all that Destiny 2 has in-store for us.

[Hot Heart]

12 hours ago, Atomsk88 said:

There's concern that people might spoof the aim assist for controller while using KB+M, which would be a nightmare as TTK is already insane with team-shooting and using mouse.

 

The default key bindings were odd and one of the things I didn't care for was how many of the abilities are tied to an individual button. Granted, if you have a mouse with many programmable buttons, you can alleviate this for say weapons, melee, and etc. Still, it's probably muscle memory as I kept goofing up on the controls in PvP. I once accidentally cast my Super when I meant to throw my grenade when experimenting on key bindings. Since I main as Hunter, the dodge roll was a bit odd to use in terms of movement.

 

People have concerns over the XIM4 stuff, but if anything raw mouse input will still have an advantage at high level play. I mean, with aim-assist, the number of times I've got a decent bead on a guy at distance, I'm just about to finish them off and then their teammate zips across, dragging my reticule with them... With an even greater focus on team-shooting, you'd be better off without it.

 

And the sweaty players will gravitate more towards the competitive side of the PvP as opposed to the other one anyway. I can't remember the exact names but I know there are two "flavours" for more competitive and more casual.

 

The PC version does have dual-binding as well, except it was only in a config file at the moment. I know people are telling Bungie (or is it Vicarious Visions doing PC version?) that this should be in-game at launch.

 

But, yeah, I think you should have a fun time whichever version you pick and it'll be great to see new players experiencing it on PC.