#exploration mode

So I got an invite to try out the Destiny alpha over the weekend, and I spent a good 4-5 hours sampling the different things on offer.  I want to express my excitement over the Exploration mode and what it could potentially be.

Being in the alpha, there was only one map to run around on.  That said, it is a pretty massive map (at least it feels that way) with a bunch of different environments built into it.  I never seemed to run into any bounds no matter what direction I went in, so the idea that there is a bunch of stuff that I didn't see is exciting.

The quests are standard fare (kill this, fetch that, get to this location)  but do an excellent job of directing players farther in whatever direction they are headed.  On two different characters, I saw two very different areas of the map, each providing their own set of challenges.

I like that the two enemy factions on display were openly antagonistic towards one another.  Whenever I came across both Hive and Fallen, they were attempting to blast each other into nothing.  That said, having both factions immediately stop firing at each other and start at me felt the second I got involved felt a little cheap, especially since getting involved is the only reliable way to clear out the packs of enemies.  Seriously, it feels like none of them could aim at anything other than a player character.

Some of the other game modes take place in the maps, so having a good sense of exploration feels like it will be beneficial when attempting those challenges.  For example, I found the area that houses the included Strike and was able to make my way through it with that much more knowledge of what was coming.

The Strike itself is a pain and I found it possibly overtuned for what was on challenge.  It advertised itself as a 3 man mission for levels 6-8.  Even with an appropriate group, we found ourselves stonewalled several times and resorting to tactics that feel almost cheap in hindsight to make our way past.  Challenging is good; ragequit-inducing is not.  That's just one terrible gamer's opinion though.

The rest of the alpha is pretty basic.  City felt empty and PvP felt blah, but if the rest of the planets have many areas as big and filled as Old Russia in the alpha, I don't think I'll have much reason to stay in the places I don't like anyways.