Destiny's The Dark Below impressions.

R o c k e t · December 10, 2014, 01:35:26 AM

So, I played it today. There was a lot of pressure on Bungie to deliver.
The fanbase wanted a separate storyline, something new.

Spoiler

Bungie took that literally

>Eris is a vendor, so she has her own Emblems, class items, and what-not to purchase.
You gain reputation with her to buy those items. So once again, its a bit of a grindfest. Luckily there are bounties that you can complete as well, to boost your reputation.

>new shaders, exotics, vanguard armor and weapons. Bungie replaced the final leveling step of Exotic weapons with shards and energy, so now you must buy an "Exotic Shard" from Xur. Upgrading weapons is slower than before, unfortunately.

The Story:
You will be happy to hear something from Dinklebot: silence.
He doesn't say a single word. It's all Eris, and the only time she seemed talkative was during the final mission. The story is an entire separate storyline. You won't even see the Vex, and you'll simply run past the Fallen. The story is better, but the missions are quite difficult too.

Unfortunately there are also some problems. How you unlock the Strike or complete Patrol Missions from Eris are really vague. You simply arent told how to unlock them, or where to go.

Overall the story is short, but good. The Raid itself, I haven't even looked at. But it seems to be the brightest light in this Expansion, just as the original raid was for the game's launch. all I've heard are good things. If you hate grindfests, then Destiny hasn't changed for you. It's still one, perhaps even moreso. But you get something new finally. You only get a few new areas, and they are small.......but it's something.

With this DLC, some will like it and some will not.

True Turquoise · December 10, 2014, 01:37:20 AM

Is it challenging?

R o c k e t · December 10, 2014, 01:45:33 AM

Quote from: True Turquoise on December 10, 2014, 01:37:20 AM

Is it challenging?

The Story missions can be quite brutal at times.
Basically: A LOT of wizards and knights :/

The Raid? I don't even know. It might bring people to tears.

Comet · December 10, 2014, 01:58:07 AM

Quote from: RocketRudolph287 on December 10, 2014, 01:45:33 AM

Quote from: True Turquoise on December 10, 2014, 01:37:20 AM
Is it challenging?

The Story missions can be quite brutal at times.
Basically: A LOT of wizards and knights :/

The Raid? I don't even know. It might bring people to tears.

can confirm.
i was just in a raid group of 6 for 4 hours with the most stupid piece of shit that did his own thing, fucking everyone else in the process.
i wanted to kill myself.
0/10

Spoiler

really though it wasnt bad at all. ive got a bridge check point.

R o c k e t · December 10, 2014, 01:58:52 AM

Quote from: Comet on December 10, 2014, 01:58:07 AM

Quote from: RocketRudolph287 on December 10, 2014, 01:45:33 AM
Quote from: True Turquoise on December 10, 2014, 01:37:20 AM
Is it challenging?

The Story missions can be quite brutal at times.
Basically: A LOT of wizards and knights :/

The Raid? I don't even know. It might bring people to tears.
can confirm.
i was just in a raid group of 6 for 4 hours with the most stupid piece of shit that did his own thing, fucking everyone else in the process.
i wanted to kill myself.
0/10

Dang. Is it atleast interesting, if done right?

Comet · December 10, 2014, 02:06:55 AM

Quote from: RocketRudolph287 on December 10, 2014, 01:58:52 AM

Quote from: Comet on December 10, 2014, 01:58:07 AM
Quote from: RocketRudolph287 on December 10, 2014, 01:45:33 AM
Quote from: True Turquoise on December 10, 2014, 01:37:20 AM
Is it challenging?

The Story missions can be quite brutal at times.
Basically: A LOT of wizards and knights :/

The Raid? I don't even know. It might bring people to tears.
can confirm.
i was just in a raid group of 6 for 4 hours with the most stupid piece of shit that did his own thing, fucking everyone else in the process.
i wanted to kill myself.
0/10
Dang. Is it atleast interesting, if done right?

imo, they did a good job making the Strike boss everyone gets (Omnigul) relevant to the 'story' unlike every other boss. she shows up and harasses you during some story missions before taking off.
she also teases you during the Strike while you make your way to the final room, which was a good change. the only negative about the whole thing was the map design had us hiding in the entrance areas the whole time because of crazy splash damage and little to no cover further into the rooms.

the Raid is... a Raid. my nerves are frayed right now because of that annoying asshole but no one looked up how to do anything and we did well enough, considering.

Naoto · December 10, 2014, 02:51:10 AM

Made the mistake of purchasing the digital guardian edition (really made the mistake of purchasing the game at all), so I have access to this and the next dlc.

Finished the story missions in under 45 min. Once again had no idea what was going on since there is barley a plot there. Its really just go here, shoot this, and defend this guy again (for what 3 missions?). Suddenly I'm told I destroyed the soul of crota. Realized that was it and I laughed.

If anyone thought for a second they actually listened and changed things (like they said they did), instead of just cutting this stuff from the original game prior to launch, then you're in for what should've been expected disappointment.

Yea there's more shaders and gear if your willing to grind more bounties and strikes. Though how anyone could not be sick of that by now is beyond me. Could not care less about the raids. DLC actually manages to make the core game worse by limiting it for non-dlc-owners.

Bungie has really become such a sad joke of their former selves.

Flee · December 10, 2014, 02:51:31 AM

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A Cheese Potato · December 10, 2014, 03:04:17 AM

In terms of design they basically took a slight misstep in the right direction, after falling down a cliff in the wrong direction

R o c k e t · December 10, 2014, 03:07:42 AM

Quote from: Flee on December 10, 2014, 02:51:31 AM

Is it as short as everyone is saying? I saw someone streaming Destiny last night and watched for a little while, he got through a mission in no time.

The story itself is short, but more present. No cutscenes though.
Anything after that is a patrol missions you don't have the directions for, a VERY difficult strike from what I've heard, and the Raid.

If you don't care for anything more than Story missions, you'll probably feel cheated. I beat them over the afternoon.

Sigma617 · December 10, 2014, 03:16:02 AM

I have to say the Strike feels different, and really fun.

I like the new armors too.

R o c k e t · December 10, 2014, 03:23:31 AM

Quote from: Sigma617 on December 10, 2014, 03:16:02 AM

I have to say the Strike feels different, and really fun.

I like the new armors too.

The new gear is a huge plus. It's something to try and get for sure.

Statefarm · December 10, 2014, 05:51:26 AM

Haven't tried the strike but I'm at Crota the Final boss.

You literally can't beat him because of the level jump. You need a level 31.

A Cheese Potato · December 10, 2014, 06:05:39 AM

Quote from: Statefarm on December 10, 2014, 05:51:26 AM

Haven't tried the strike but I'm at Crota the Final boss.

You literally can't beat him because of the level jump. You need a level 31.

Is he just a really big Knight? Or does he actually have different attacks?

Statefarm · December 10, 2014, 06:12:20 AM

Quote from: A Cheese Potato on December 10, 2014, 06:05:39 AM

Quote from: Statefarm on December 10, 2014, 05:51:26 AM
Haven't tried the strike but I'm at Crota the Final boss.

You literally can't beat him because of the level jump. You need a level 31.
Is he just a really big Knight? Or does he actually have different attacks?

Spoiler

He's a badass looking knight but the fight is hard as fuck. At least, the strategy we used to get him to half health, our most successful, was tough. It requires perfect execution multiple times.

Crota himself doesn't do much. He has a "talk to the hand" attack where he lifts his hand and fires giant arc blasts. He also sprints down a path at you, like full force sprints and wacks you in the face. But there are multiple places you can stand and not worry about him.

If anyone dies he summons an "oversoul" that kills everyone if you don't destroy this giant green sun.

You have to battle ogres and beefy sword knights because picking up their swords and attacking crota is the only way to damage him. But only one person has the sword, the rest shoot him to drop his shields.

A Cheese Potato · December 10, 2014, 06:15:55 AM

Quote from: Statefarm on December 10, 2014, 06:12:20 AM

Quote from: A Cheese Potato on December 10, 2014, 06:05:39 AM
Quote from: Statefarm on December 10, 2014, 05:51:26 AM
Haven't tried the strike but I'm at Crota the Final boss.

You literally can't beat him because of the level jump. You need a level 31.
Is he just a really big Knight? Or does he actually have different attacks?

Spoiler
He's a badass looking knight but the fight is hard as fuck. At least, the strategy we used to get him to half health, our most successful, was tough. It requires perfect execution multiple times.

Crota himself doesn't do much. He has a "talk to the hand" attack where he lifts his hand and fires giant arc blasts. He also sprints down a path at you, like full force sprints and wacks you in the face. But there are multiple places you can stand and not worry about him.

If anyone dies he summons an "oversoul" that kills everyone if you don't destroy this giant green sun.

You have to battle ogres and beefy sword knights because picking up their swords and attacking crota is the only way to damage him. But only one person has the sword, the rest shoot him to drop his shields.

Okay well that's a lot better then I was expecting. I think it's just Atheon being a bigger Minotaur with some shoulder armour made me less than enthused about what bungie might make Crota out to be.

Girl of Mystery · December 10, 2014, 06:32:25 AM

lolDestiny

Fondue · December 10, 2014, 10:01:33 AM

"We Want a lot of Thralls in the Beginning!"
-Destiny Community
The Raid is full of 3 million fucking Thralls.

Corrupt Setter · December 10, 2014, 10:18:15 AM

I thought the DLC was alright. It's a small step in the right direction for Destiny. Like the OP said the boss is relevant to the story so it's not some generic boss fight. The raid I haven't done yet either but I want to try it out since I enjoyed the Vault of Glass raid.

Tyger · December 10, 2014, 10:29:25 AM

lol the first people to beat the raid took 6 hours (I know some of them from bungie)

Considering people can beat VoG in 20-40 minutes at this point, how soon before the new raid becomes a cheese fest?

Splendid Dust · December 10, 2014, 12:23:53 PM

Quote from: Statefarm on December 10, 2014, 06:12:20 AM

Quote from: A Cheese Potato on December 10, 2014, 06:05:39 AM
Quote from: Statefarm on December 10, 2014, 05:51:26 AM
Haven't tried the strike but I'm at Crota the Final boss.

You literally can't beat him because of the level jump. You need a level 31.
Is he just a really big Knight? Or does he actually have different attacks?

Spoiler
He's a badass looking knight but the fight is hard as fuck. At least, the strategy we used to get him to half health, our most successful, was tough. It requires perfect execution multiple times.

Crota himself doesn't do much. He has a "talk to the hand" attack where he lifts his hand and fires giant arc blasts. He also sprints down a path at you, like full force sprints and wacks you in the face. But there are multiple places you can stand and not worry about him.

If anyone dies he summons an "oversoul" that kills everyone if you don't destroy this giant green sun.

You have to battle ogres and beefy sword knights because picking up their swords and attacking crota is the only way to damage him. But only one person has the sword, the rest shoot him to drop his shields.

I'm a little confused here

Spoiler

I thought at the end of the story missions you pretty much destroy Crota when he's sleeping in that green crystal thing with the wizards and stuff, so how the hell is he at the end of the raid, especially when the raid can be done prior to even killing the guy

But anyway, while it isn't worth the steep price, TDB shows Bungie have learnt something from vanilla Destiny

Statefarm · December 10, 2014, 12:40:05 PM

Quote from: Splendid Dust on December 10, 2014, 12:23:53 PM

Quote from: Statefarm on December 10, 2014, 06:12:20 AM
Quote from: A Cheese Potato on December 10, 2014, 06:05:39 AM
Quote from: Statefarm on December 10, 2014, 05:51:26 AM
Haven't tried the strike but I'm at Crota the Final boss.

You literally can't beat him because of the level jump. You need a level 31.
Is he just a really big Knight? Or does he actually have different attacks?

Spoiler
He's a badass looking knight but the fight is hard as fuck. At least, the strategy we used to get him to half health, our most successful, was tough. It requires perfect execution multiple times.

Crota himself doesn't do much. He has a "talk to the hand" attack where he lifts his hand and fires giant arc blasts. He also sprints down a path at you, like full force sprints and wacks you in the face. But there are multiple places you can stand and not worry about him.

If anyone dies he summons an "oversoul" that kills everyone if you don't destroy this giant green sun.

You have to battle ogres and beefy sword knights because picking up their swords and attacking crota is the only way to damage him. But only one person has the sword, the rest shoot him to drop his shields.

I'm a little confused here

Spoiler
I thought at the end of the story missions you pretty much destroy Crota when he's sleeping in that green crystal thing with the wizards and stuff, so how the hell is he at the end of the raid, especially when the raid can be done prior to even killing the guy

But anyway, while it isn't worth the steep price, TDB shows Bungie have learnt something from vanilla Destiny

Spoiler

The way I think of it...the crystal was him trying to invade Earth with his soul, and you stopped that. The raid is actually killing him. The raid being do-able prior was just for people going for the worlds first

I think the DLC needed like 2 more missions though

Splendid Dust · December 10, 2014, 01:23:33 PM

Quote from: Statefarm on December 10, 2014, 12:40:05 PM

Quote from: Splendid Dust on December 10, 2014, 12:23:53 PM
Quote from: Statefarm on December 10, 2014, 06:12:20 AM
Quote from: A Cheese Potato on December 10, 2014, 06:05:39 AM
Quote from: Statefarm on December 10, 2014, 05:51:26 AM
Haven't tried the strike but I'm at Crota the Final boss.

You literally can't beat him because of the level jump. You need a level 31.
Is he just a really big Knight? Or does he actually have different attacks?

Spoiler
He's a badass looking knight but the fight is hard as fuck. At least, the strategy we used to get him to half health, our most successful, was tough. It requires perfect execution multiple times.

Crota himself doesn't do much. He has a "talk to the hand" attack where he lifts his hand and fires giant arc blasts. He also sprints down a path at you, like full force sprints and wacks you in the face. But there are multiple places you can stand and not worry about him.

If anyone dies he summons an "oversoul" that kills everyone if you don't destroy this giant green sun.

You have to battle ogres and beefy sword knights because picking up their swords and attacking crota is the only way to damage him. But only one person has the sword, the rest shoot him to drop his shields.

I'm a little confused here

Spoiler
I thought at the end of the story missions you pretty much destroy Crota when he's sleeping in that green crystal thing with the wizards and stuff, so how the hell is he at the end of the raid, especially when the raid can be done prior to even killing the guy

But anyway, while it isn't worth the steep price, TDB shows Bungie have learnt something from vanilla Destiny

Spoiler
The way I think of it...the crystal was him trying to invade Earth with his soul, and you stopped that. The raid is actually killing him. The raid being do-able prior was just for people going for the worlds first

I think the DLC needed like 2 more missions though

How does the raid itself compare to the VoG anyway? I know the first section is a dark room full of Thralls and all, but what happens after that?

Assassin 11D7 · December 10, 2014, 05:15:53 PM

How much bullet sponge are we talking about?

GOODDAYSIRE · December 10, 2014, 05:57:43 PM

I can't believe people actually think the raids are well designed.

Assassin 11D7 · December 10, 2014, 06:01:27 PM

Quote from: scorchwarlock on December 10, 2014, 05:57:43 PM

I can't believe people actually think the raids are well designed.

Well, when you're comparing them to the rest of what Destiny has to offer....

R o c k e t · December 10, 2014, 06:32:06 PM

Quote from: La Foudre on December 10, 2014, 10:01:33 AM

"We Want a lot of Thralls in the Beginning!"
-Destiny Community
The Raid is full of 3 million fucking Thralls.

This DLC is basically a Thrall-fest >_>

Can we just nuke them? Screw the moon!

Fondue · December 10, 2014, 06:32:54 PM

Quote from: RocketRudolph287 on December 10, 2014, 06:32:06 PM

Quote from: La Foudre on December 10, 2014, 10:01:33 AM
"We Want a lot of Thralls in the Beginning!"
-Destiny Community
The Raid is full of 3 million fucking Thralls.

This DLC is basically a Thrall-fest >_>

Can we just nuke them? Screw the moon!

Why? The Moon is our main source of cheese.

Assassin 11D7 · December 10, 2014, 06:47:37 PM

Quote from: RocketRudolph287 on December 10, 2014, 06:32:06 PM

Quote from: La Foudre on December 10, 2014, 10:01:33 AM
"We Want a lot of Thralls in the Beginning!"
-Destiny Community
The Raid is full of 3 million fucking Thralls.

This DLC is basically a Thrall-fest >_>

Can we just nuke them? Screw the moon!

The moon in Destiny isn't even real, gravity doesn't apply to it.

R o c k e t · December 10, 2014, 06:54:47 PM

Quote from: AC on December 10, 2014, 06:47:37 PM

Quote from: RocketRudolph287 on December 10, 2014, 06:32:06 PM
Quote from: La Foudre on December 10, 2014, 10:01:33 AM
"We Want a lot of Thralls in the Beginning!"
-Destiny Community
The Raid is full of 3 million fucking Thralls.

This DLC is basically a Thrall-fest >_>

Can we just nuke them? Screw the moon!
The moon in Destiny isn't even real, gravity doesn't apply to it.

You aren't real