Destiny 2's Final Shape: End of an Era and New Frontiers
Bungie's popular online shooter Destiny 2 is approaching a pivotal moment with its upcoming expansion The Final Shape. This release marks the culmination of the decade-long Light and Darkness saga, but also raises questions about the game's future direction.
The End of Sunsetting
In a major reversal, Bungie has announced the end of weapon sunsetting. All previously sunset weapons will now be usable at full power. However, this change may have limited impact due to power creep:
- Many older weapons lack synergy with new subclass 3.0 elements
- New perk combinations often outclass older fixed-roll weapons
- Previously dominant weapons have been rebalanced or nerfed
Post-Final Shape Plans
After The Final Shape, Bungie plans to release three episodes - standalone stories set in the aftermath. But beyond that, the future of Destiny 2 remains unclear. This creates potential retention challenges:
- Players may view The Final Shape as a natural endpoint
- Lack of an overarching narrative could reduce long-term engagement
- Bungie needs consistent revenue to fund future projects like Marathon
New Enhancement System
To keep older weapons relevant, Bungie is introducing a new enhancement system:
- Three tiers of upgrades, unlocked through weapon usage
- Adds enhanced perks and customization options
- Available for most weapons with origin traits
While this system helps bridge the gap with crafted weapons, questions remain about its long-term impact on the game's economy and progression systems.
Potential New Frontiers
Hints from recent announcements suggest Destiny 2 may be preparing for interstellar exploration:
- Return to the massive Dreadnaught ship in upcoming content
- References to flying and navigating the Dreadnaught
- Tease of Destiny 2 - Codename: Frontiers for Year 11
While exciting, such a major shift in the game's scope may be better suited for a full sequel rather than an expansion to the existing game.
As Destiny 2 approaches this critical juncture, Bungie faces the challenge of concluding a beloved storyline while laying groundwork for the game's continued evolution and player engagement.
Update: Monday June 17 14:01
The new Breach Executable mission in Destiny 2 features a hidden loot system that many players are overlooking. By collecting samples between encounters and using the Piston Hammer tool, players can significantly boost their rewards. Key strategies include equipping a Resource Detector mod, coordinating with teammates, and activating the Piston Hammer at specific locations to spawn additional resource nodes. This system offers substantial rewards including armor, weapons, and even exotic items, but its poor explanation has led to player frustration and calls for improved visibility of mechanics.
Update: Wednesday July 17 12:52
Destiny 2's Act 2 of the Echoes Episode has launched, bringing new content and some controversies. Three new weapons have been added: Aberrant Action (Solar rocket sidearm), Corrasion (Arc pulse rifle), and Perfect Paradox (reprised Kinetic shotgun). The new battlegrounds content features improved level design, unique boss encounters, and fresh mechanics. However, Bungie's decision to implement multiple layers of timegating has drawn criticism, with players unable to focus on specific new weapons and facing inconsistent release schedules for story content. This has led to frustration among the player base, despite the quality of the new content.