Last week, I got to play a beta version of Bungie's brand new video game, 'Destiny'. To say I was excited to roam around this brave new world would be an understatement, ever since the original 'Borderlands' dug its claws into my attention, I've been waiting for a game that's threatened to cut me that deep again. And 'Destiny' achieved that instantly. It reminded me why I fell in love with games in the first place: the stories they tell, the escapism, the atmosphere and how sometimes in some games you feel superhuman. Like when you get a huge killstreak in 'Call of Duty' or 'Halo' for example. Some games out there have amazing worlds, which I spoke about here, but 'Destiny' just blew all my expectations away. It's got everything I love: capes, science-fiction, an amazing soundtrack and a world that demands to be explored. So, stories in video games. How are they?
Forward Beyond the Stars
Books are the ultimate storytellers, but video games allow immersion into the story, and they offer interactivity unmatched by any other story platform. There are loads of games that follow a book format, in the sense that you have no choice but to follow a path designed by the author. Games like 'Call of Duty' are prime examples where the player has no choice how the story unfolds. Whereas, 'Skyrim' is all about player choice and forging your own path, ignoring quests and just starting a new virtual life in a new virtual land. So many 'Skyrim' players take it to the next level, create fan-fiction and make up back stories for their characters. 'World of Warcraft' probably has the same effect as well. I've always loved a good story, video games for me were just another way to get that fix and now with powerful technology backing consoles, the power to create giant stories in giant worlds can now reach beyond the stars. That's where 'Destiny' comes in.
In 'Destiny', you are a Guardian of the Earth's Last City protected by a gigantic globe called the Traveler. It's up to you and hundreds of other real players to protect Earth from different alien races and cement humanity's future. You could say it's typical science-fiction 101, but I don't mind. When you experience this game, it's so much more. As soon as I landed feet first on Earth, I knew I'd love it. I wanted to explore everything about the beta, learn about the lore and keep playing until the beta said 'no, go to bed'. With science-fiction, or any story, I don't really know what I'm after until I see it. I'll read anything and try to absorb myself in any universe, but 'Destiny' found me and now I'm totally hooked. It actually reminded me why I love science-fiction in the first place. Plus, Bungie made 'Halo' which is sci-fi gold and right now, I'm listening to the 'Halo 3' soundtrack. If it can create an engaging story from start to finish then that'll be something special, but given the nature of how the game works with other players, it might be harder than expected to keep the story going. Hey, there's always multi-player, and it's fantastic.
In 'Destiny', you are a Guardian of the Earth's Last City protected by a gigantic globe called the Traveler. It's up to you and hundreds of other real players to protect Earth from different alien races and cement humanity's future. You could say it's typical science-fiction 101, but I don't mind. When you experience this game, it's so much more. As soon as I landed feet first on Earth, I knew I'd love it. I wanted to explore everything about the beta, learn about the lore and keep playing until the beta said 'no, go to bed'. With science-fiction, or any story, I don't really know what I'm after until I see it. I'll read anything and try to absorb myself in any universe, but 'Destiny' found me and now I'm totally hooked. It actually reminded me why I love science-fiction in the first place. Plus, Bungie made 'Halo' which is sci-fi gold and right now, I'm listening to the 'Halo 3' soundtrack. If it can create an engaging story from start to finish then that'll be something special, but given the nature of how the game works with other players, it might be harder than expected to keep the story going. Hey, there's always multi-player, and it's fantastic.
Golden Games
Video games can tell incredible stories, maybe more so than books given the genre, of course. One of my most favourite stories is from the game 'Bioshock' which has a plot twist that's so unexpected, your jaw will still be on the floor well after you've finished the game. 'Metal Gear Solid' is so complex and unique that a film adaptation would never do it justice and 'Halo' is profound, simple and engaging in every way. Mind you, 'Halo' has a gallery of books to go with its video game narrative, but that just shows the power of its story! I'll always prefer a good book over a game, but that doesn't mean that video games are in any way less capable of telling a story. I've heard people slate video games because of what they are or that they are pointless, but such people can never be torn free from their ignorance. I don't like films, but I get why many love them and that's OK. Video games offer something else, they let you experience something nothing else can- to feel superhuman. Whether that means dominating a matchmaking game, defeating dragons or ordering people around in 'The Sims'. You'll always come back for that fix. And I guess that makes it an addiction worth relapsing.
'Destiny' launches on the 9th of September and I can't wait to dive in alone and with friends to explore the Solar System. And that's another thing, playing with your friends is perhaps the ultimate escapism. All worries disappear for a while when me and some mates blast on 'Halo' and have a laugh. Because no matter how deep the story may be, it's the laughs and fun you have that really make the experience sometimes and when you're done fighting aliens in the virtual world, you can always jump in with friends and fight other human players in a virtual world and have a good time. Books are designed to make you happy, and video games are as well.
Songs of the Week:
'Destiny' launches on the 9th of September and I can't wait to dive in alone and with friends to explore the Solar System. And that's another thing, playing with your friends is perhaps the ultimate escapism. All worries disappear for a while when me and some mates blast on 'Halo' and have a laugh. Because no matter how deep the story may be, it's the laughs and fun you have that really make the experience sometimes and when you're done fighting aliens in the virtual world, you can always jump in with friends and fight other human players in a virtual world and have a good time. Books are designed to make you happy, and video games are as well.
Songs of the Week:
- 'Methadone' by Rise Against
- 'The Eco-Terrorist in Me' by Rise Against
- 'One Final Effort' by Martin O'Donnell Halo 3 Soundtrack
- 'Be Brave' by Destiny Soundtrack
- 'Becoming a Legend' by Destiny Soundtrack
- 'Main Theme' by Destiny Soundtrack