It’s been a week since the release of The Rise of Iron DLC and this last week I have been striking,looting and shooting my way around in the new area called “Plaguelands”.
Was it worth the return? Continue reading and find out my thoughts on The Rise of Iron.

STORY

The story is laid out over 10 missions and very much like previous Destiny storylines you are tasked with investigating and ending the new and dangerous threat that has appeared in the Plaguelands. The new threat are SIVA, a powerful life form “The Fallen” are trying to control but they do not understand its power.

Without spoiling anything I can say that the story is very similar in the way it is presented and executed, much like “The Taken King”. I can not say it is a bad story but it’s forgettable.

And the ten missions go by pretty fast. Unfortunately Bungie did not deliver on this part in my opinion. The storyline culminates as the previous ones in a raid to take out the big boss.

GAMEPLAY

This has always been the strongest feature in Destiny, and it still delivers fast paced and fun gameplay that demands a lot from players wanting the most sought after gear.

New weapons and armor have been added with new perks and the ability to change the appearance of exotic items.

The new raid is, as its previous DLC’s , in my opinion the best part of the game.

This is a little bit shorter or not as difficult as the last raid, partly because Bungie has toned down the need for specific gears and items that greatly help or are needed.

That said I thought it was one of the most fun ones I have played. Involving more of the fireteam members to participate in the different segments of each stage.

It’s still challenging but in a slightly different way, not so technical as “The Kings Fall” raid was.

But that is just the normal mode, as before, the hard mode is not available yet. And I have not encountered any bugs in the raid, yet.

In the “Plaguelands”, which is the new patrol area on earth, are the familiar patrol missions you are used to plus one new patrol mission called “Quarantine” and a challenge area called “Archon’s forge”.

Much like “Court of Oryx” in the “Dreadnaught” area, you are challenged with waves of enemies with a boss. Three difficulties depending on the offering you present.

Fast, fun and a different way to get gear.

CRUCIBLE

With the new DLC is also a new CRUCIBLE mode called “Supremacy”, basically it is like “Kill Confirmed” from “Call of Duty”, you run around killing other guardians and then you pick up something resembling an engram to confirm the kill and get more points.

I have not been such a big fan of Destiny’s PvP, mostly because I felt that it needed balancing on multiple parts and partly because I play mainly for the PvE aspect.

But surprisingly I was having a lot of fun. It has been a while since my last PvP session and I felt that the teams were more balanced and the matches was pretty even.

With all the maps from “Trials of Osiris” now being available in regular crucible and 3 new maps,(4 if you have PS4), new weapons and gear, players have a lot of things to do.

“Iron Banner” and “Trials of Osiris”will also return.

ARMOR, WEAPONS AND LIGHT LEVEL

With the new DLC came also new weapons and armor both in PvE and PvP, new light level capping at 400. The “Gjallarhorn” returns in a cool Black design, though not as powerful as its predecessor.

It was little confusing at first thinking you straight up get it but it’s got to be earned and the black version is a skin you can infuse after earning it in a separate quest.

DESIGN, AUDIO & GRAPHICS

I always enjoyed look of “Destiny” and graphics are beautiful as usual. But I feel it is lazy from Bungie’s side that they basically just reskinned “Fallen” enemies like they did with the “Taken” characters in the previous DLC.

They should have take the time to design them way more different than the “Fallen”.

Same goes with a lot of the strike missions where you play on the same maps as another strike, you just enter from a different entrypoint.

And as always the musical theme to each mission or area are superb, as well as audio in general.

Denne bildekrusellen krever javaskript.

The lombax and his friend Clank is back again in Insomniac’s “new” adventure. And by new i mean old. The studio behind Spyro and The Resistance isn’t remaking into a HD version of the game. It’s a complete overhaul of the game plus more, i will come back to that later in the review.

The game based on the movie, based on the game is little start for those who haven’t played Ratchet & Clank before or if you’re a hardcore fan of the series. The movie itself launches in the end of april, but us in Norway won’t see it in Norwegian theaters yet. According to Filmweb Norwegian Distributor haven’t picked up the movie yet, but we can only hope.

The game itself is a glorious looking game, the overhaul of the graphics is improved and its impressive work. Ratchet has a little different look on his personality, but for the better.
If you are a 90’s kid you will remember the layout of the different planets, enemies and weapons. Our mission was to stop foreman Drek destroying the Galaxy Solona back in 2002.
And now we got to do it again in a new format.

Story
The story itself is basically the same as the original game back in 2002, but with a few small differences. For us hardcore fans it will be a little strange to play the same story again, but Insomniac games changes to the story will i say is a little improvement of the story. Basically it’s the same plus more to it.
Captain Qwark who is Ratchet’s idol, is telling the story of the lombax and his mechanic friend Clank throughout the galaxy while you play. But i got the feeling that the main story of the game was pushed on, i feel like there’s something missing in the story. It goes to fast forward. (But then again, i think we just got a little taste of what’s coming to the movie)

Gameplay
The controllers in the game is easy to learn, and off course fun to play. Even there is a few little frame drops on the graphics, but it isn’t so noticeable.
The maps or planets as we say in the game will feel like new to hardcore gamers even though you might have seen the planets before. Some maps will look exact the same you saw back in 2002, but you will notice something different every time. And the weapons, o mighty the weapons.
The weapons in the game is still so much fun to use, turning enemies to sheep’s, or maybe turn them into 8 bit enemies. My personal favorite, the Gravitron. Make the enemies dance will you slaughter your way through.

Even if you’re finished with the main story, there is still something you can do in the game. Collect all cards and gold bolts on the planets. Hoverboard tournament and more. So the game is replayable and not yet ready to be put on a shelf.

Denne bildekrusellen krever javaskript.