Adam Sessler on Destiny: "Good, But 'There's Not Much There'"

Adam Sessler shares his perspective on Destiy in an interview on NPR.

[ritsuka666]

Yea Adam...Probably the most forgettable game I've played in a long time. It was painfully average in almost every department.

[AngelicIceDiamond]

Its not that bad. Bungie purposely held back Destiny in the sake of opening it up to everyone.

Think about it these are the reasons. The marketing sold the game the game didn't sell itself.

Its made by Activision who publishes COD.

The developers are former Halo makers.

That alone is the reason people really bought into it. The game didn't have to do much just have "something" to initially draw players in.

I like the game but Bungie and Acti pulled the rug over our eyes.

[NewMonday]

Sessler gave Titanfall 5/5 and it has less content, 2 hour story, dumb AI, bad graphics

[Mr Pumblechook]

I thought this clown quit the industry. Last time I heard from him he was complaining how Sony were destroying his life because they didn't give him his free launch PS4 and games much earlier then the public! And they say gaming journalist aren't overpriveleged.

[Gazondaily]

"Sessler gave Titanfall 5/5 and it has less content, 2 hour story, dumb AI, bad graphics"

Although I agree that the score is too high, simplifying Titanfall like that does it an injustice.

"less content"- agreed- not only less content but little content in its own right- it needed more game modes etc

"story" the story was pretty much non-existent; it was a MP only affair

"dumb ai" People still dont get this. The A.I was not the problem- they are 'minions'. The problem with the bots is that it was hard to distinguish pilots from bots sometimes- Respawn should have made pilots look a lot more distinctive. I have no issues with bots carrying over into the next game (if there is another one) but they need to be distinctive from the pilots.

"bad gfx" yeah but its built on an aging source engine. Still, its no excuse.

BUT what Titanfall really did well is concentrate on gameplay over gfx. It is still a solid shooter and the pacing was brilliant; fast paced, wall running with very tight combat mechanics with mechs that weren't just a glorified kill streak. Some proper thought went out into how to progress competitive shooters and for that I admire them. Titanfall does however, feel like a foundation upon which a greater game or franchise can be built.

[GundalfDeGrej]

@Mr Pumblechook

He wasn't complaining because he didn't get his own PS4 to play around with. He complained because Sony only allowed journalists to look at their games in a controlled environment. He was worried that journalists wouldn't be able to give a proper assessment while having devs breathe down their neck. When playing something in a controlled environment there's also a chance that journalists will only get to see what the devs want them to see.

People read the headline "Sessler's pissed he didn't get a PS4" and they assume he's the bad guy because Sony is the good guy right?

[medman]

@AngelicIceDiamond
They didn't pull the wool over my eyes...I had it preordered..cancelled it about 3 weeks before launch. I didn't play the beta but the more I saw the more I disliked what I saw. The game looks great, but I'm a single player gamer primarily and the story looked a complete joke. I also didn't care for the voice work of Dinklage, nor the limited number of areas on offer to gamers. One area per planet/moon?? Really?? Destiny would have been much better served limiting itself to ps4/xbone and possibly pc...but by now I would hope gamers would realize if a current gen release is also releasing on 360/ps3, look out. It's going to be gimped somehow, someway...that is just reality.

[LightDiego]

Whatever this guy says, you are pathetic Sessler, you and your reviews.

[llxKonanxll]

Adam's reviews are generally on point. Yeah he gave Titanfall a 5/5, Infamous SS a 3/5.. and his GOTY for 2013 was Gone Home. But he's right about Destiny.

[WillGuitarGuy]

I don't think people will ever forget his God of War: Ascension review either.

[user6540948]

Wtf? I like Adam Sessler's reviews because they are detailed and intelligent (even if I see things differently from him at times), but to choose Gone Home over TLOU for game of the year is ridiculous. May he knew everyone else was gonna do the same by voting for TLOU and he wanted to be different (?).

[llxKonanxll]

@WillGuitarGuy

Only issue i had was his little rant about the "Bros before Hoes" trophy and his so-called worst experience with brutality in video games (Kratos curb stomping the fury's face in). 3/5 for Ascension is appropriate.

[CaptainPunch]

And you're just some dude commentating on a gaming website, while he actually got to work in the industry. You obviously cared enough to comment, looks like you're the one that's pathetic and not Adam.

[morganfell]

No he did not work in the industry. He never did. He wrote about the industry.

Those that want to be journalists, but are not, tell themselves "I am part of this". No, just no. They are not in THE industry. They write about the industry. They evaluate, quite poorly, the industry. They critique, without standards, the industry's products. But lacking true skill they are left to stand outside the industry and throw rocks at it. They are left to give unskilled opinions about the industry. They are not in the gaming profession or industry.

[CaptainPunch]

It's the same as being a film critic, you're still working in the film industry. He might talk about the industry, but he was able to work closely with developers, publishers, and in the gaming industry in general than most people can say. I would say he's more qualified to give an opinion than most people commenting here.

Funny how I got attacked with a bunch of disagrees because N4G has a vendetta on Sessler, stay classy guys.

[morganfell]

^^^No you are not. You are still working in the journalism induistry, albeit poorly, not the film industry. You are not an actor, director, producer, cameraman, or even best boy. When you are a critic you are a leech. You are a snot rag with an opinion that is worth absolutely nothing. Its good to watch this slow awakening of companies as they realise interfacing directly with the public frees them of having to curry favor to the bloodsucking press. And the more entitlesd the press acts the more they work themselves out of a job.

[CaptainPunch]

"They evaluate, quite poorly, the industry. They critique, without standards, the industry's products." "They are left to give unskilled opinions about the industry. They are not in the gaming profession or industry." Funny how you feel so strongly about this yet you visit N4G which is filled with absolute crap and has no integrity in the type of content that gets submitted and approved here. But hey you keep doing your thing, it's obvious I can't make up your mind. Difference of opinions my friend.

[morganfell]

It isn't funny at all. I have to wade through the crap to find the news. That is the current state of affairs.The fact that you agree only makes it more evident the so called gaming press is nothing more than a collection of pussbags. N4G is well aware of this issue yet refuses to perfomr even a single action that serves the gaming demographic.

And a disageree? A little petty.

[Tedakin]

Most critics, and players, agree with Sessler this time.

[NewMonday]

the positive reviews outnumber the average ones so how "most" exactly?

[user6540948]

@NewMonday: A slew of positive Reviews do not make for a good reviewer. That is why I like gamespot. They are brutally honest with their reviews and don't care what other gamers think--they just tell it like it is from their own perspective.

[Shadonic]

Why everyone hate Adam Sessler, grew up watching him on Xplay :( . I love Destiny but i'm not going to hate the dude because our opinions don't align on a product.

[GundalfDeGrej]

From what I've seen he's pretty respected everywhere but here. I think it's because people here only know him by looking at various sensationalist headlines. Most of which are taken out of context in order to create a sh*tstorm.

I've followed his videos for quite a while as well and to me it feels really strange to see so much hate for him here. Sure, some of his opinions differs from most but that's one of the things I like about him. It's nice to see things from a different perspective.

[morganfell]

Why does everyone hate him? Here is just ONE example:

WARNING! ADULT LANGUAGE

https://www.youtube.com/wat...

[GundalfDeGrej]

Late response but whatever.

Like I said, context is important. Don't tell me there's not a difference between standing on a scene trying to get a crowd riled up and then on a different occasion actually discussing the topic in a more mature manner.

[DefenderOfDoom2]

I miss SESSLER's SOMETHING !!!

[Conzul]

I miss his reviews, but not his SOMETHING.

Sessler's Something!!!
In which I will very intelligently speak about something that is complete BS.

Yeah no thanks.
And review - wise he is usually right except for the "final score" he assigns. Also ranting about Bros b4 hoes was unforgivable.

[PS4isKing_82]

Didn't this guy leave the game industry earlier this year or late last year?

[DeadRabbits]

No, I think he has been in hiding & growing a beard in the wilds of Canada!

Like all media Hoors he will be back for more!

[DimensionalSound]

Technically he's working closer to the game industry. He stepped down from doing reviews, but does do commentary on new games like in the interview.

[HaveSumNuts]

This guy gave TitanFall a 5 out of 5, he kept on acting it was the second coming or something while he was advertising peppermint ass wipes. He should keep his mouth shut.

[Einhert]

He is like most other big publications a complete rat and a sellout! but sessler is a special kind of hack. No wonder he fled the review scene after the flak curtain from that shamefur dispray sellout review.

no surprise that Rev3 games channel had Titanfall adverts on it 24/7, Destiny is a better game than Titanfail IMO as well, At least Destiny would last more than a week, Titanfall lasted me a few days, hate myself for ever giving EA money for that garbage.

I feel like the only publication I can trust these days is Giantbomb because jeff and his team have proper integrity.

[GundalfDeGrej]

You're right, it's impossible to actually like Titanfall so he must be taking bribes. /s

[YodaCracker]

I love Giant Bomb! I'm a premium subscriber. But the GB crew has not had many nice things to say about Destiny and Jeff scored Titanfall higher than Destiny, as the majority of sites have.

[NewMonday]

from GB a 6 is good score, they are consistent with all games from all publishers big or small.

[WilDRangeRfc]

I have Destiny on PS4 and TF on X1 it's not even close TF with its lack of content is still 20 x more enjoyable but I guess you haven't played it have you?? Destiny is a flop

[DARK WITNESS]

Bull crap....

At the end of the day that's your opinion.

I also have Destiny on the ps4 and titanfall on the xb1.

I have put more hours into destiny in the last weekend then I have the last 4 months I have owned Titanfall.

if Titanfall is an 8 out of 10 then Destiny is at least an 8.1.

I am happy that Bungie is getting all this shit for destiny not meeting up to expectations, but of all the games to compare it to as far as overhype and not delivering on content, Titanfall is the only game to do worse.

I mean it has even less of a story then destiny.. and thats hard to beat!

The only thing they did right with Titanfall was make clear from the very beginning that it was a MP focused game. The really big mistake Bungie made was hyping the story and how "massive" this world with it's "epic" story adventure was going to be.

I think Titanfall could be let off lightly because they didn't have the sort of budget and marketing pushing them that destiny had. They also didn't have the number of people working on it like Destiny had. Still the hype for TF when it was launching and how it was going to revolutionize MP gaming and all that... it failed hard!

Both games in my opinion were massive letdowns, but I have still enjoyed Destiny more then Titanfall.

[HighResHero]

Speaking of not much there, I think I remember something about Gone Home being his GOTY or something like that.

[Funantic1]

But Titanfall is way better than Destiny. Most reviews say so. Titanfall isn't perfect at all but deserves an 8/10, Destiny 6/10. Titanfall's reviews weren't held back for 2 days. Destiny's reviews were. Destiny is the biggest and most expensive disappointment this year.

[WilDRangeRfc]

Spot on TF is the much better game,better gameplay mechanics and fun

[Tedakin]

Most critics gave titanfall 9s and 10s. That game was great. It was FUN. Destiny is not FUN at all is the problem. It's boring.

[WilDRangeRfc]

TF is 10 x more fun than Destiny I have both on X1 and PS4

[ps5fanboy]

I won't be purchasing it , I played the beta and the sad "*%#%# who read the guides to find the best weapons and armour were owning ppl , I don't read guides , so I won't be buying the game.

[Cryptcuzz]

Were you also mad that people who actually looked into guides and did their research to learn more on a subject scored higher on tests as well, compared to someone that didn't?

[ps5fanboy]

Talk about trying to match a log with a stick....

Researching a subject is fine, if it doesn't lead to a unfair advantage ....

Which of course it doesn't in the way of researching to pass an exam....

As the only advantage to that is yourself with no disadvantages to another....

[Cryptcuzz]

Wow, I can't believe your reasoning and logic.
Might as well find a new hobby. There are guides for every damn game ever released. It's like talking to a Neanderthal.

[sAVAge_bEaST]

"Sessler" -He's still a "thing"?

that interview read like a noob explaining Destiny to infants.

[Wni0]

NPR

[psnCAShville_615]

i thought he gave up? what happen to staying out of gaming industry?

[Darkfist]

and yet he gave titanfall 5/5 which has less content and no campaign

[Wni0]

It had more MP content, and was a MP game. So it had more content for what it was trying to do. I agree Titanfall wasnt the best game, but think a little more critically next time.

[Cryptcuzz]

Destiny has more of story than anything in TF. It also has more things you can do as well. It has the story mode, explore mode, abundance of loot to acquire, abilities to unlock and also an online multiplayer that is intense and a lot of fun.

[patsrule316]

I have both an XB1 and PS4. I really liked Titanfall, and played the heck out of it for about 4 or 5 weeks before I moved on to something else. I really haven't gone back since. Still, I don't play hardly any games for over a month, and I gave Titanfall an A-. Its big drawback was that it was MP only and there weren't even many MP modes. But it was a lot of fun, and played well.

I have Destiny, and I am really enjoying it as well. It is single player, multiplayer, co-op, etc. For me, its biggest drawback is that other than enemies and architecture, there isn't much out in the world (granted so far I have only been to Earth and the Moon, so I would be psyched if this changes on Mars and Venus). Still, once again, I am having fun playing. I like going out on missions, I like doing the strikes (with friends), and I like the co-op. Right now, I also give it an A-.

As far as Sessler, I like listening to his opinions on games (not his politics though), even if I disagree with them. Too many people have taken to personally maligning people they disagree with, rather than just saying 'I disagree and here is why.' I guess it is a side effect of the anonymous nature of the internet.