Can I Play Destiny 2 in Front of my Kids?
Parent gaming considerations for Destiny 2
Being a gamer with kids, gaming time is limited. So when I can pop something on when the kids are around I always need to make sure it is something that is appropriate. Sometimes there are games that on the surface are not suitable for kids, but are fine if played in a certain way, like GTA V, Nier: Automata, the Uncharted Series or Horizon: Zero Dawn (to a certain extent).
Now I have not completed all the content in Destiny 2 by any means. I’m at level 20 and my light level is just a hair under 200. There is a lot more content coming my way and I have a small section of the main story missions to get through. The only concession I can see changing as I play more of the game is Concession 3: Things can get a little scary, as things might get a lot more scary!
The short answer for playing Destiny 2 with kids about is that it won’t be easy. Not so much due to the content, but more to do with the persistent nature of the game. Below you’ll find my considerations and concessions for the incredibly tight and fun multiplayer shooter.
Concession 1: You can’t pause
The nature of a connected and persistent world game like Destiny 2 means that the game can’t be paused. If you are in the middle of a story mission, strike or (…yelp!) raid and your little one starts tugging at your boots (or, more likely, slippers), you don’t have the luxury of pausing your progress and coming back to it later.
Sure, you can just let the enemy do their thing and revive your character upon returning, which is fine when playing through the campaign or duking it out in one of the many public events. But you won’t be popular if you can’t help your Fireteam in the middle of a raid. Which leads to…
Concession 2: Don’t play the raids with the little ones about
With the first raid, Leviathan, out and more to come, this later game content is a big part of what made the first Destiny so beloved. These take hours to get through and require teamwork and commitment, not something that lends itself to having your kids about.
I’d recommend saving the raids for when the kids are all in bed and you have a few hours ahead of you (for me, most definitely a weekend only thing).
Concession 3: Things can get a little scary
Most of the enemy types in Destiny 2 are very sci-fi alien types in the style of Halo (fitting that the game is made by Bungie). There are a few enemies, however, that are designed in a more creepy way.
The little kid nightmare inducing Thrall are skeletal, almost zombie style monsters that even give me the heebie jeebies at times, particularly with the sound up.
I suggest when you are playing Destiny 2 with the little ones around that you stick to the outside areas and just turning tail and running the other direction when you hear the distinctive screech of a Thrall (or when things get a bit spooky).
The way to play
My suggestion is to stick to the concessions above and just have fun roaming around the planets when the little ones are about.
Roam and go hard at the public events and patrols and get in a few cheeky patrols and missions on your own.
The good thing is that everything you do in the game will slowly strengthen your character and lead to new gear (which is a fun meta-game in and of itself that I spend a lot of time in with my kids).
Heads up!
CAN I PLAY IN FRONT OF THE KIDS? is a semi-regular series on Versus Player. The hope is to give those parent gamers out there a bit of a heads up on ways to play some of the more mature games in ways that are kids friendly. Either that or I suggest you to steer clear!
If you liked this you might like our previous articles on GTA V, NIER: AUTOMATA, Horizon: Zero Dawn and the Uncharted series (including Uncharted: The Lost Legacy).
As always, let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below or email me at joe@versusplayer.com.
Happy gaming (and parenting)!