The Games I Wasn’t Playing Over The Holidays (And Why)

I had big plans over the holidays. And, as you can probably tell from the headline, I dropped the ball on quite a few of them. But let’s start with the successes.

While I was on vacation with my family, I wrapped up one of last year’s best games. Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc was a delightfully demented experience filled with interesting characters and surprising twists throughout the multiple murder mysteries.

When I got home, I expected that I would be diving into Dragon Age: Inquisition. I’ve played through the first hour or so. And that’s where my save game stands now.

I also thought I’d be playing more Sunset Overdrive. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve played so far, and the humor and frenetic action works for me. I also find myself replaying challenges to get gold medals (and unlock the costume pieces). I haven’t touched it since before the holiday.

I figured I might play more Persona Q (also one of my favorite games of 2014). I have much more to play, and the story has me intrigued. I hope I remember how to use the map-making features when I get back to it.

So, if I wasn’t playing these great 2014 games that I promised myself I’d be enjoying, what was I doing? Put simply, Destiny has accomplished the improbable. 

I rarely return to persistent and evolving games after I abandon them. I threw my hands up at Destiny right before the Vault of Glass was introduced. I had hit an extended plateau and simply wasn’t having fun anymore.

Thanks to some friends, I gave it another try. I’m glad I did, because with some assistance, I finally understand Destiny.

The result has been unexpected. I’ve intended to pick up other games, but each time I sit down, I convince myself that I’ll just log in, check bounties, and maybe run the daily mission.

What ends up happening is that I spend a few hours playing, forgoing everything else. This weekend, Destiny accomplished something that few other titles have. It convinced to play (and enjoy) competitive multiplayer with random players.

I spent most of Sunday in the Crucible, inspired by bounties for two of Destiny’s elusive exotic weapons. After some help from friends, yesterday’s efforts resulted in Thorn, Bad Juju, and Pocket Infinity (all considered great weapons).

My time in Destiny has purpose now. I’m logging in to raid, engage in strikes, and level up weapons. I’m going to be ready for House of Wolves come March (and maybe even ready to run the Crota’s End raid on hard mode).

Destiny gets a lot of flack. The game’s story is confusing (when it isn’t threadbare) and the gameplay loop has some vocal detractors. It reminds me of how I felt playing Chromehounds, though.

I log in, I join a party chat with friends, and I just shoot the breeze while playing. It’s just as much about the social interaction as it is about the gameplay.

I’ve even started working on a second character. It’s a bit of a chore, to be honest, but I think it will pay off when I reach the end-game and can run the raids and weekly rotating content twice (for more loot drops).

I don’t know how long Destiny will keep me hooked this time. I could drift away again if my regular crew moves on. But for now, I’m glad I’ve returned and invested the time. It’s been a while since I’ve been so happily immersed in a game, and I’m glad I spent my holiday with my friends playing it.