Bungie’s Deep Dive Into Destiny 2’s Star Wars-Inspired Renegades
▼ Summary
– Destiny 2: Renegades releases on December 2 and is a major Star Wars-inspired expansion featuring elements like lightsaber-like weapons and stormtrooper-like enemies.
– The expansion maintains Destiny’s canon by renaming Star Wars-inspired elements, such as Praxic Blades instead of lightsabers and the Barant Imperium instead of stormtroopers.
– The storyline centers on Drifter as a scoundrel-like character and introduces Aunor Mahal, who wields a Praxic Blade to fight the new villain Dredgen Bael.
– Players can pledge to factions, complete jobs like smuggling and bounty hunts, and wield new weapons including Praxic Blades and blasters with overheating mechanics.
– The expansion’s music draws direct inspiration from Star Wars scores, and new weapons like the Praxic Blade will remain relevant in future game content.
Bungie has unveiled a detailed preview of Destiny 2: Renegades, a major new release arriving December 2 that draws clear inspiration from the Star Wars universe while remaining firmly rooted in the Destiny canon. Early visuals feature elements reminiscent of lightsabers, stormtroopers, and Sith lords, but the development team emphasizes these are distinct creations designed to fit seamlessly into the existing game world.
Rather than direct copies, these assets have been reimagined with Destiny’s lore in mind. Praxic Blades replace lightsabers, the Barant Imperium stands in for stormtroopers, and the primary antagonist is not a Sith but a new villain named Dredgen Bael. Bungie is making a concerted effort to ensure that, despite the obvious stylistic nods, the expansion feels authentic to longtime players.
The narrative centers on the roguish Drifter, whose scoundrel personality channels a Han Solo-esque vibe as he guides players through the solar system’s criminal underworld. Another key figure is Aunor Mahal, a character previously known through lore entries, who wields a Praxic Blade in her fight against Dredgen Bael, positioning her as the expansion’s equivalent of a Jedi Knight.
A new explorable zone called the Lawless Frontier serves as the backdrop, with Tharsis Outpost acting as its social hub. Players will align with one of three factions: The Pikers, an anarchist Eliksni biker gang; the Tharsis Reformation, a collective of sentient Vex; or the Totality Division, a rogue Cabal faction. Reputation is earned by completing faction-specific tasks such as smuggling operations, bounty hunting, and sabotage missions.
In addition to NPCs using these new weapons, players will also wield Praxic Blades with multiple combat styles, including deflecting attacks, melee strikes, and throwing the blade. Bungie confirmed that the Praxic Blade will not be limited to this expansion but will remain a relevant exotic weapon in future content.
New Blasters heavily inspired by Star Wars blaster rifles are also introduced, featuring several variants. Some deliver high-impact damage, while others offer rapid fire rates. Instead of traditional reloading, these weapons overheat and require a cooldown period. A special solar exotic crossbow named Heirloom, inspired by Chewbacca’s bowcaster, adds another iconic touch.
Renegade abilities are another addition, seemingly influenced by the faction a player chooses to support. These skills promise to diversify combat and align with the underworld theme of the expansion.
One standout feature highlighted in the preview is the music, which takes clear cues from John Williams’ legendary Star Wars scores. The new themes are dynamic and immersive, enhancing the atmosphere of the Lawless Frontier and making the audio experience a compelling reason to dive into the new content.
Destiny 2: Renegades launches on December 2, expanding the game’s universe with a fresh setting, factions, weapons, and a score that pays homage to one of sci-fi’s most beloved franchises.
(Source: Game Informer)
