Destiny 2, the highly anticipated sequel to Bungie’s original Destiny, was released in September 2017. As a shared-world shooter, the game offered a mix of PvE and PvP activities set in a rich sci-fi universe. At launch, Destiny 2 received praise for its stunning visuals, engaging gunplay, and cooperative gameplay.
Over the years, Destiny 2 has undergone significant changes and improvements, shaped by player feedback and the vision of its developers. The world was expanded massively over the years with the addition of new content, story elements, mechanics, etc. It also became harder, a lot of people just go for a Destiny 2 carry service nowadays instead of beating challenges manually.
Here are some of the more prominent changes done to the game since its release.
Introduction of Forsaken Expansion
Forsaken, released in September 2018, marked a turning point for Destiny 2. This major expansion introduced a darker storyline, a new destination called the Tangled Shore, and the massive Dreaming City. It also added the highly acclaimed ‘Gambit’ mode, combining PvE and PvP elements. With Forsaken, players saw significant improvements in endgame content, weapon diversity, and a more intricate progression system.
Implementation of Armor 2.0
With the release of Shadowkeep expansion in October 2019, Destiny 2 introduced Armor 2.0, a comprehensive overhaul of the armor system. Note: The system was further changed in 2023, explained here on The Gamer.
Players gained greater control over their builds by slotting different mods into armor pieces. This allowed for more specialized load-outs, enhancing the gameplay experience and giving players more agency in customizing their character’s abilities and playstyle.
Addition of New Subclasses and Abilities
Plenty of new subclasses and abilities were added through the years: the solar-empowered Sunbreaker Titan, the electrifying Stormcaller Warlock subclass, the void-infused Nightstalker Hunter—just to name a few. The whole roster can be seen in this PCGamesN article.
They could only enrich the gameplay diversity, encouraging players to experiment with different playstyles and tactics.
Revamped Weapon System
In a major change to the game’s weapon system, Destiny 2 moved from its original fixed-slot system to a more flexible system called the ‘Weapon Retirement’ or ‘Sunsetting’ in Year 4. This revamp allowed players to use a greater variety of weapons in their loadouts, offering increased freedom in customizing their arsenals for various encounters.
Introduction of Cross-Save Feature
To cater to the growing player base across multiple platforms, Bungie implemented the Cross-Save feature in August 2019. With Cross-Save, players gained the ability to carry their Guardians, progress, and in-game purchases seamlessly between platforms, including PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and later, Google Stadia.
This feature allowed players to play with friends on different platforms and enjoy a unified Destiny 2 experience, regardless of their chosen gaming device.
Continuous Updating of In-game Economy and Progression
Bungie continually refined the in-game economy and progression systems to create a more rewarding and engaging experience for players. The overhaul involved adjusting the acquisition and usage of resources, implementing a more transparent reward structure, and streamlining leveling and progression paths.
The changes aimed to strike a balance between challenge and reward, making in-game activities feel more meaningful and satisfying as players embarked on their journey through Destiny 2’s evolving world.
