Destiny 2 is one of the year's most anticipated video games and fans are enjoying their first day of gameplay after the sequel launched at midnight on September 6th.
Reaction to the sci-fi shooter has already been huge and developer Bungie (the same studio responsible for the early Halo games) has made some big changes this time around, chief of which is a renewed focus on story and narrative.
The game forces every player to start from scratch - whether they're seasoned Destiny pros or complete beginners.
That decision has been one of the talking points of Destiny 2 since it was announced. The first game has built up a loyal legion of fans who sink hours and hours into its futuristic world. So much so that it could be off-putting for new players to pick up a gamepad and get involved.
Even with that renewed focus on providing new or casual players with a better experience, Destiny 2 hasn't fundamentally shifted from what made it so good the first time around. You're still going to meet up with friends and strangers for Crucible (competitive multiplayer) matches or co-operative raids across the futuristic universe.
Destiny 2 will, like its predecessor, grow and develop over time. But if you're new to the game, we've put together some of the essential things you need to know before you decide to purchase it.
Which platform is it on?
Destiny 2 is available for both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One players right now. It is also set to launch on the PC on October 24.
There's been a lot of work behind the scenes to make sure that the PC and console experiences are similar and don't give any kind of unfair advantage.
How much does it cost?
The standard console edition costs £50, whether you buy it on Xbox One or PS4. The PC release is slightly less at £41.99.
As with other games, there will be additional downloadable content (DLC) that enhances the game further down the line that'll be sold separately.
There's also a huge amount of merchandise being flogged around the internet if you want to really commit to being a Destiny fan.
What are gamers saying about it?
Put simply, they're excited.
How do I get started?
In Destiny 2, Earth has been invaded by a new faction of the Cabal group called Red Legion who not only destroyed the Citadel but also stripped the Guardians of their connection to the Traveler and their ability to use Light.
If that makes no sense to you, don't worry. It will in time.
Starting out, you need to pick which class to join. There are three main classes and three subclasses. Firstly, decide if you want to be Hunter, Titan or Warlock.
Then you'll start with the default subclasses - Sentinel Titan, Dawnblade Warlock or Arcstrider Hunter. The other two subclasses for each class will become available once you play the game. Your class determines which weapons and abilities you will gain and use throughout the game, so pick one that you feel is best suited to your play style when it comes to first-person shooters.
What are the changes?
A number of changes have been made to Destiny’s gameplay based on fan feedback from the first title. The hope from Bungie and Activision is that it’ll be more accessible.
First up, a change to the Crucible mode (competitive multiplayer) means all matches are now 4 versus 4 rather than 6 versus 6.
Official clan support is also being included, letting dedicated gamers play together. A new feature called "Guided Games" will help solo players join clans and find colleagues.
“We want to make the game learnable, but still difficult to master,” Destiny’s developers told Mirror Tech earlier this year.
Should I buy it?
If you're going to take a punt on Destiny 2, then make sure you set aside a reasonable amount of time to enjoy it.
Even with the changes, this isn't really a game you pick up and play for ten or fifteen minutes every three weeks.
What's more, the game is set to grow and increase as more players join. So look at it as your next big gaming investment and get stuck in.
