This year's most anticipated game, 'Destiny 2,' is both brilliant and terrible

"Destiny 2" is one of this year's most-anticipated blockbuster games, and it's finally available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. The game launched on September 9, and millions of people are playing it already.

I'm one of those millions, having spent a few dozen hours traveling from planet to planet in search of slightly better gear.

Destiny 2

But just because it's anticipated doesn't mean it's any good. So, uh, is it? Yes and no.

"Destiny 2" is a gorgeous first-person shooter that's clearly been lavished with hundreds of dedicated, top-of-their-class game developers. In terms of the shooting, it might be the best of all time. As evidenced above, it is very pretty.

"Destiny 2" is also an always-online game that intends to blend storytelling with a multiplayer experience that's at odds with any sense of pacing or gravity.

Destiny 2

In addition to all of that, "Destiny 2" is only a first-person shooter insofar as that's your main form of interaction with its world. What the game really is, at its heart, is a "loot game," forever pushing you toward the next dopamine hit.

"Destiny 2" is excellent. "Destiny 2" is terrible. It's complicated.

DON'T MISS: Here is everything you get inside the $250 Collector's Edition box set for 'Destiny 2'

WARNING: Spoilers ahead for "Destiny 2," including story and gameplay.

It probably goes without saying, but I'm going to speak explicitly about "Destiny 2" — this is a review, after all. If you don't want anything spoiled, turn back!

"Destiny 2" is a much better game than the first "Destiny."

The first "Destiny" game was divisive, to say the least.

Like the sequel, the first game had excellent shooting. Devoted fans latched onto so-called "endgame" activities, like elaborate "Raid" missions that can only be completed with a squad of friends and good communication.

Critics charged that it lacked content, that its world felt empty, and that the story was a mess.

Both sides of that divide are right, and some of those issues have been fixed in "Destiny 2." Rather, more than enough of those issues have been fixed in "Destiny 2" — enough to make it a far better game than its predecessor.

The world of "Destiny 2" feels more alive than ever.

Destiny 2

Each planet is distinct in look and feel, rife with hidden treasures to find and nests of enemies to savage. Just getting around can be a lot of fun, as "public events" happen near-constantly. These events are quick, and short in scope — stand near this object while fighting waves of enemies, or take down a massively powerful boss enemy, or whatever else. Since they provide a nice reward to whoever participates, you'll often find other people spontaneously joining in with you.

This is where "Destiny 2" shines.

"Destiny 2" may be the best first-person shooter ever made in terms of shooting.

There are a seemingly infinite number of slightly different guns in "Destiny 2," and they feel shockingly distinct. It's an incredible achievement, and it's no surprise that the studio behind the revolutionary "Halo" game franchise, Bungie Studios, is also behind "Destiny."

It's hard to put into words — the shooting "feels" precise in a way that few first-person shooters do. There's subtlety to movement that has a tremendous impact on each shot you fire. Single-shot revolvers pack a huge punch, but hold few bullets and reload slowly — forcing you to make sure every shot counts. Automatic weapons offer higher ammo counts, but do far less damage and are far more difficult to keep steady.

And I'm speaking in vastly broad terms — each of the types of gun in "Destiny 2" is distinct unto its class, but within each class there are dozens (hundreds? thousands?) of variants.

If nothing else, "Destiny 2" is an incredible achievement for its best-in-class shooting — from feel to variety.

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