Recent reviews by manahouse

The “Tetris Effect” (or Game Transfer Syndrome for the Milhouses in the audience) occurs when one’s connection to a video game is so ingrained within their subconscious that elements of said media invade one’s perception of reality. My father has dreamt in Fire Emblem. My friends see Puyo Puyo when they close their eyes. I’ve played so much Picross that I often spend my sleepless nights thinking about its methodical calculations. I can never look at numbers like a normal human being ever again.

I have been a Destiny fan for 7 years. I’ve been there for its audacious highs and catastrophic lows. There have been times where I’ve taken year-long breaks; There have been times where I’ll play until bolts of sun cast through my once darkened windows. In all of these years, there has never once been a moment where Destiny’s rich tapestry of dense game design and luscious world-building has not held the back of my skull hostage.

What I’m trying to say is that there are two kinds of Destiny fans. Those smart enough to drink the kool-aid, and those smart enough to stay away.

Destiny is not for everyone, and yet anyone is vulnerable to its sawtooth claws. It’s as dumb as a popcorn action flick and as dense in its design as a renaissance painting. It has just enough D&D jargon to satisfy a fantasy buff and enough greebled astro-rust to satisfy any hardcore sci-fi geek. Its systems are simple enough to attract a Call of Duty fan and numbers-heavy enough to attract any MMO veteran. Never once will Destiny insult your intelligence – it will go as far as you want it to.

With all of this being said, there are plenty of reasons to dislike Destiny. Its major expansions can be hit or miss, the meta is in constant flux, and the current seasonal model with which the game presents new content in can feel dry and mundane. The abundance of content can be difficult to parse as a newcomer and returning players will undoubtedly feel intense FOMO.

However, by the time you become embittered with the game, it is too late. Even outside of the series’ core gameplay loop, you’ll find yourself endlessly embroiled in its decadence.

Regardless, it’s worth making an effort to become one with that core gameplay loop. If you can make your way past the overwhelming onramp, Destiny is an experience truly worth having. Its community is vibrant and welcoming and makes a night of bounty farming feel like a round at the pub. Its lore is intricate enough that entire novels worth of loquacious story content is waiting for you to unlock and discover in-game. The multi-hour raids and dungeons are experiences that you simply couldn’t have in any other FPS game, the memories of which will stay relevant for eternity.

There’s no shame in trying Destiny and realizing its not for you. However, if you find yourself becoming privy to this ridiculous world of space wizards and gun magic, it will already be too late. You are now one of us. Join the hivemind.

We’re actually really nice!