Activision and Bungie released a new preview video for the upcoming first expansion downloadable content for Destiny, The Dark Below. The new video features some behind-the-scenes footage for the new expansion and interviews with Destiny staff members. A CG cinematic intro for The Dark Below was also recently released, but the new video shares a more in-depth look at the actual gameplay for the expansion. I will be interested to see how The Dark Below turns out. The Dark Below will provide the first look at how Destiny runs with its expansions. This really highlights the future of the game. Regardless of the mixed reactions from reviewers, Destiny was a huge success this year, so it will be interesting to see how the game continues to move forward with new expansion content.
The video shows some new footage of Eris, one of the new Tower ally characters. Eris is a former Guardian who, some time ago, went into the Hellmouth with some comrades to destroy Crota. The mission failed, and Eris is the only survivor. Apparently, she has been undercover for years, gathering information about the alien race called the Hive and their god, Crota. Crota is the end-game boss in the Raid for The Dark Below. Eris seems to be the vendor informing the Guardians on the missions for The Dark Below. Her features look interesting. Physically, she spent so much time living among the Hive, so she took on the appearance of a Hive alien. My reaction from all this material: Can Eris truly be trusted? She has lived among the Hive for so long, was she brainwashed about their cause or does she truly want revenge. It would be interesting if the story for the game actually addresses or questiones the objectives of Eris. Is it wrong to expect this type of depth and level complexity from a part-MMO shooter like Destiny?
The footage features an enticing look at The Dark Below’s own unique raid, Crota’s End. One Bungie staffer describes the new raid as a “one-way trip.” Here is something I want to address about the Raid. In the Raid, the Guardians go after Crota to destroy him. It seems that Crota is the overseer or ruler of the Hive. So, destroying Crota should be a crippling blow for the race. That should figure in greatly for future storyline beats for the game. It would be very disappointing if later story beats for the game do not address Crota’s death. For example, in the main Destiny game, the finish is a letdown because players do not see the consequences. Apparently, the Heart of Darkness has been destroyed. This means the Traveler could re-awaken and find its voice again, or it would start to heal from whatever stopped the Traveler in its tracks during the Collapse. My main point is that the game cannot simply ignore something as big as Crota’s death and what that does to the Hive.
The new Crucible multiplayer maps look like fun. I look forward to getting some new environments where other players can battle against each other. Skyshock looks like it will be a fun map with one side loaded with vehicles. It seems that the other side will have the mounted gun turrets.
The Destiny staff members referenced that they listen to the community and change the game based on the reaction of players. I am curious to see exactly what reactions will play into the changes for The Dark Below. Community reactions with voice chatting have initiated some changes for the better in Destiny. However, some other changes have not been so great, such as hot fixing exploits and nerfing powerful weapons.
The Dark Below will be available on December 9.
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