If Star Wars Can’t Save Destiny 2, Nothing Can
▼ Summary
– The Edge of Fate expansion is considered one of Destiny 2’s worst, with disappointing loot and a sharp drop in player numbers on Steam.
– Bungie announced Renegades, a Star Wars-themed expansion launching December 2, blending Destiny’s gameplay with Star Wars elements like lightsabers and AT-ST walkers.
– Renegades will feature a criminal underworld storyline in a Mos Eisley-like outpost, with players performing jobs for syndicates and unlocking gear.
– The free Ash and Iron update brings back the Plaguelands, adds a new activity, and includes new gear and lore, as part of Bungie’s efforts to fix the game.
– Bungie plans to improve rewards, buff supers, and simplify systems to make Destiny 2 more fun and less grindy, though skepticism remains about Renegades’ success.
The recent Destiny 2 expansion, The Edge of Fate, has left many players underwhelmed despite a few narrative high points. Even standout story moments couldn’t make up for what many consider one of the most unrewarding loot systems the game has ever seen. Player counts on Steam have plummeted to historic lows less than two months after launch, putting pressure on Bungie to deliver a meaningful turnaround. In response, the studio recently unveiled Renegades, a Star Wars-themed expansion that may represent the game’s final opportunity for a major revival.
Scheduled for release on December 2, Renegades marks the first full crossover event in Destiny 2’s history. Originally teased back in May, the expansion blends elements from the iconic sci-fi franchise with Destiny’s established universe. Described by Bungie as a merging of “Destiny’s distinctive storytelling and gameplay with themes and elements drawn from Star Wars,” the expansion introduces lightsabers, AT-ST walkers, and an X-Wing jumpship, all set within a sci-fi Western atmosphere rich with Star Wars sound design and aesthetic touches.
The campaign is set in Tharsis, a Mos Eisley-inspired outlaw outpost where players align with criminal syndicates to gain reputation, gear, and influence. A new Cabal faction, the Barant Imperium, serves as a central antagonist. As players complete missions for competing groups, the action escalates in difficulty and scale, weaving back into the ongoing mystery of The Nine that has defined the current Year of Prophecy narrative arc.
New mechanics also draw inspiration from other popular titles, including ammo crate drop pods that eliminate enemies on impact, reminiscent of Helldivers 2. The Praxic Blade, a lightsaber-like weapon, can be customized with various parts and colors earned throughout the campaign and an upcoming dungeon. It even allows players to deflect incoming projectiles, much like Jedi in the films.
Yet questions remain about whether these elements will mesh well with Destiny’s identity. While the idea of a faction-driven, non-linear mercenary campaign is appealing, and a shooter-style Star Wars MMO sounds exciting, combining them feels risky. There’s concern that the crossover may come across as a licensed cash-in rather than an organic evolution of the Destiny universe. Only time will tell if Renegades can win over skeptical players.
Alongside the expansion reveal, Bungie detailed the free Ash and Iron update, another step in the studio’s effort to address player feedback. This content drop brings back the Plaguelands from the original Destiny and introduces Reclaim, a new three-player activity focused on Golden Age technology and the Vex. New gear, lore related to the character Maya, and an event titled Call to Arms, which finally sees Devrim Kay leave his bell tower in the European Dead Zone, round out the offering. Additional seasonal events like Iron Banner and Festival of the Lost will also receive updates outlined in a forthcoming roadmap.
Perhaps more significant are the systemic improvements Bungie has promised in the lead-up to Renegades. The development team aims to accelerate the power climb and enhance reward structures across all activities. Planned buffs for supers and subclasses will roll out alongside a temporary halt on nerfs and balance changes, signaling a shift toward player empowerment. Special attention is being paid to improving loot incentives in raids, dungeons, and three-player fireteam activities.
Still, the success of these changes depends entirely on execution. Tinkering with systems introduced in The Edge of Fate could either simplify and improve the experience or further complicate Destiny’s already layered mechanics. After a decade of major storytelling that concluded with last year’s The Final Shape, the game may need to embrace a more casual, session-based identity rather than demanding weekly commitment. While there’s plenty of intriguing content ahead, whether a Star Wars infusion can truly save Destiny 2 remains an open question.
(Source: kotaku)
