STACK NZ Sep #66

GAMES

FEATURE

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Destiny has come to be known as the game that redefined the term “online shooter”, and Activision and Bungie are at it again with the addition of their latest DLC: The Taken King . STACK caught up with David Dague to chat about the newest expansion. Taken With Destiny

O riginally considered an ambitious project from the creators of the original Halo trilogy (and Reach ), Destiny proved a success, taking $325 million in its first five days of release in 2014, and setting the pre-order record for a new IP. The first-person-but-with-friends-shooter is known mostly for its lack of story, grinding for

loadouts of new gear for all three classes – Warlocks, Titans and Hunters – and introduced new Ghost shells. These shaders won’t just make you distinguishable from the millions of other Guardians, however. Both fashionable and functional, the upgrades will offer perks everywhere from boosting light level to detecting nearby spinmetal. Our Little Lights just became a lot more helpful. Guardians themselves have also received an upgrade. With the release of TTK come three new subclasses – one each for Hunters, Titans and Warlocks. Dague elaborates: “Infusing each Guardian with new energies is a thing we’re doing to give them new ways to fight. Mastering a new subclass will be an evolution that provides a player with new abilities, new grenades, and new perks. These new subclasses will mix and mingle with the existing Guardians in the sandbox for some surprising combinations and engagements." If multiplayer is more your thing, Dague reveals that TTK will add seven new multiplayer maps and three new modes for the Crucible. “Rift is an objective game type in which two teams fight over a common element they can use to destroy each other’s base. Mayhem is a variant of Clash, with an enormous emphasis placed on Guardian abilities. Zone Control is just what it sounds like – controlling the zones is the only way to earn points." With Trials of Osiris and the Prison of Elders also hanging around, there’ll be no shortage of co-op for Guardians in Year Two. The Taken King pits Guardians against a new enemy, in a new frontier, in a new year. Bungie’s latest drop of DLC endeavours to both encourage newcomers and reinvigorate veterans’ love for the series. There’ll be a whole new indent in our couch cushions come September 15.

gear, and Game of Thrones actor Peter Dinklage’s underwhelming voice acting, but that hasn’t stopped people from playing. One year on, The Taken King is the third drop of DLC for Destiny , and this time Guardians are up against Oryx – father of Crota, and King of the Taken. Oryx is hell-bent on enacting revenge for the death of his son, and it’s up to players to end his rampage and quell the rise of his army. Having killed Crota and fought with the Queen against the Fallen, what can we expect in The Taken King ? “With every update to Destiny, our goal is to expand the world of the game and give players new things to do”, offers Bungie community manager David ‘Deej’ Dague. “ The Taken King is the largest infusion of action and adventure yet. We’re delivering a new destination to explore, new

enemies to fight, new abilities for every Guardian to master, and the largest arsenal that the Tower has ever seen”. The prospect of a new Raid in The Taken King is something a lot of Guardians will relish,

as House of Wolves notably missed out. “Raids are always

meant to be the most challenging experience in Destiny”, says Dague. “They’re the pinnacle, cooperative activity.

Survival is dependent upon communication. Teamwork is crucial to success. The essential

experience is venturing into the unknown to confront immense danger in the interest of sweet rewards.”

• Destiny: The Taken King is out Sept 15

And sweet rewards there will be. Bungie have promised loads upon

SEPTEMBER 2015

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