My thoughts on the Beta so far... (possible spoilers)

So I am currently playing the Beta on PS3 and here are my thoughts so far. I have played all campaign missions available, and 1 crucible game, plus much exploring. I love just running into random people. It's great to see all kinds of people in the Tower, but really cool to see them while you are out exploring. When starting missions, you will first travel through open spaces where 2 or 3 other random people may appear with you. You can help each other, stay away from each other, and participate in public events. However each mission kind of has a starting point. At that point, other random people will disappear and only your fireteam will be left. It is a super smooth transition, I didnt realize it was happening. I am disappointed that the Tower does not seem to have public chat. I hope to be able to sell items to other people, but I have not tried yet. There is an interact menu, but I believe it is only to view information about the player. That will sadden me. I would hope to be able to give my friends great items I am no longer using or sell powerful rare items I don't need. The explore mode is wonderful. Its a great chance to do public events, find loot, earn rewards, and kill things. One huge disappointment for me, is no map. Unless I just can't figure out how to bring it up, there is no map to look at. I get turned around easily and I am not sure what areas I have explored and what areas I haven't. With no map to guide me or tell me where I have been, it gets frustrating. The loot drops from enemies can be hard to notice. Nothing seems to stick out well. I usually just run around and over all dead bodies to make sure. If rare loot drops, I would really like it more noticable. The vendors for armor and weapons seems real limited, I hope that is only because it is the Beta. Sometimes I like certain looks of armor better, but stats are better on another piece. So I always switch to better stats. I hope that eventually you will be able to find or buy the better looking armor with the stats you are looking for. I wish loot was a little more frequent, with more storage in your inventory. It always feels good to find loot, even if you dont need it. There are areas that often feel like they should have a loot chest and they dont. There are enemies that often feel like they should drop loot and they dont. I have only done one crucible match and I think it will just take some getting used to. Some things felt comfortable some didnt. Vehicles seemed quite overpowered, but that may be just because I don't know how to handle them yet. I have yet to do the strike mission. No one I know plays on ps3 and I don't want to go it alone. A few tips: Use your abilities, they level up as you use them. Remember to keep yourself upgraded as you go, sometimes I would forget after leveling up or picking up new loot. Collect spinmetal (a shiny silver plant) when you see it, you can trade it in for good rewards. Collect bounties as soon as possible. Check back at the Tower often for rewards and such. Public events are fun and challenging. Have fun!!