Destiny 2 is coming – the sequel to the MMO shooter Destiny 1. What new features can the Guardians look forward to? What is changing? All information in the overview. Note: This article will be continuously updated.
Destiny is getting a sequel called Destiny 2 in 2017. Since the gameplay premiere on May 18, a lot has been revealed about the successor to the award-winning MMO shooter. However, many questions remain unanswered. The most important question is: Can Destiny 2 meet the high expectations of the Guardians?
In 2014, Destiny made a big splash on the gaming scene. Bungie’s and Activision’s combination of shooter and MMO captivated countless players and still has loyal and passionate fans. However, it has been and continues to be far from “perfection” and a completely happy community.
Exploits, glitches, balance issues, and content droughts characterized the history of Destiny as much as the ongoing lively discussion between those who play the game and those who develop it. Balance in PvP is a topic for which developers have never found an optimal solution.
Destiny 2 is supposed to improve everything. At least that’s what the Guardians hope and the developers strive for. But – what’s actually new in Destiny 2?
Destiny 2 – Story and Setting
One of the biggest criticisms of Destiny 1 was the campaign. The story missions were lackluster: there was no coherence, there were no strong characters, no one really understood what it was all about.
Destiny and Destiny 2 are set in a science fiction setting in a time after the “Collapse”. The Collapse marks the end of the Golden Age – an era considered the peak of humanity. New planets were colonized, and technological progress was unstoppable. This age began with the arrival of the Traveler (a mysterious, giant sphere). The Light of the Traveler is the source of the Guardians’ power. However, the Traveler has many enemies that the Guardians dealt with in Destiny 1.
Destiny 2 continues from the events of “The Taken King”. After the arrival of Oryx, the Cabal sent a distress signal – and now the Cabal Empire is responding. The Red Legion, an elite unit of the Cabal led by Ghaul, invades Earth, the Last City, and the Tower.
Ghaul traps the Traveler in a sort of cage, causing the Guardians to lose their power. Additionally, during the invasion, all the Guardians’ items are destroyed. This is the story-related explanation for why you have to start from scratch in Destiny 2 and learn new powers. Only the appearance from Destiny 1 can be carried over.
The story missions in Destiny 2 are supposed to include more cinematics and be better staged than in Destiny 1 – with the goal of: Better storytelling, more action. You can watch the first story mission of Destiny 2 here.
In addition to the campaign, the story of Destiny 2 will be told through side quests, characters you encounter, and scannable objects. Grimoire cards are no longer available.
New Worlds / Locations in Destiny 2
After the attack of the Red Legion, the Vanguard leaders are scattered throughout the solar system. Before you search for them, you will enter the European Dead Zone in Destiny 2, where many Guardians found refuge and formed a new community. Here is a new social space – a farm.
Other new worlds include:
- Titan: A moon of Saturn, where Zavala is located. This moon is made up of a methane sea, with no landmass.
- Nessus: A planetoid where Cayde-6 is located. This small planet has been reshaped by the Vex.
- Io: A sulfur planet of Jupiter. Ikora Ray has retreated here. There are said to be heaps of mythology and secrets on Io.
More information about the worlds in Destiny 2 can be found here. They are supposed to be more open, “livelier,” and more expansive than in Destiny 1.
Destiny 2 – Gameplay Innovations, New Content
Destiny 2 still feels very much like Destiny, as confirmed by early testers. And that is not a disadvantage – because the gunplay of Destiny has always been praised highly. There are no groundbreaking innovations in gameplay. Destiny 2 will not offer a completely new gaming experience in this aspect. But there are still many innovations that aim to make Destiny 2 better than its predecessor:
- New weapon system: There is no longer a division into primary, secondary, and heavy weapons, but: Kinetic, Energy, and Power. The kinetic slot includes the previous primary weapons as well as pistols and the new SMGs, in the energy slot are the same types of weapons as in the kinetic slot but with elemental damage, and in the third power slot are all powerful weapons that can kill you with one hit – such as shotguns, snipers, fusion rifles, rocket launchers, or the new grenade launchers.
- There are numerous new weapons, armor pieces, and exotics. We present three new exotics here
- During the gameplay premiere, “mod spots” were discovered for weapons. Specific information is lacking.
- Armor attributes – Intellect, Strength, Discipline – have been removed. Information about the armor pieces can be found here
- A new navigator: You no longer have to fly to orbit to start a new activity. The map can be opened anywhere.
- For clans, you can create emblems and descriptions.
- Guided Games: A new type of matchmaking that allows solo players to participate in raids and other activities. They are matched with other clans that need one or two players for an activity.
- Strikes: A new strike called Inverted Spire is known. Strikes remain three-player activities.
- Raids: There will be a raid.
- In addition to story missions, strikes, and more, there are new activities: Adventures (side missions), Lost Sectors (dangerous dungeons with unique bosses guarding treasures), and Public Events (dynamic combat activities).
- PvP: All modes in the Crucible will be played 4v4. A new PvP mode is called Countdown. There are no private matches at launch. All previous information about PvP can be found here.
- The enemy races seem to remain the same. However, there are new enemy units of various races (new fighters of the Cabal, the Hive, etc.)
Destiny 2 – Classes and Subclasses
In Destiny 2, there are the three known classes from Destiny 1: Titan, Hunter, and Warlock.
Each class receives a new subclass (focus):
- The Warlock receives the Dawnblade. The super is a solar sword. Additional information about this focus is already available.
- The Titan receives the Sentinel. With the super, he generates a void shield.
- The Hunter receives the Arcstrider. The super is an Arc staff. Information about the Arcstrider here.
The complete list of all subclasses in Destiny 2 is still unknown, but the three new focuses are supposed to replace the Sunsinger, Defender, and Blade Dancer. Additionally, existing focuses will be revised, such as the Striker Titan and the Gunslinger.
Information about the subclasses can be found here.
Destiny 2 Release – When is the launch for PS4, Xbox One, and PC?
Destiny 2 will be released on September 6, 2017, for PS4 and Xbox One. This is a Wednesday.
The PC version will be released on October 24.
A release for the Nintendo Switch is not planned.
There will be PS4-exclusive content.
Destiny 2 for PC – Battle.net, FPS, Dedicated Server
Destiny 1 is only available on consoles. With Destiny 2, the MMO shooter arrives on PC for the first time. Here’s what you need to know:
- Destiny 2 is not available on Steam. Instead, it is exclusively for Blizzard’s Battle.net.
- The PC version is being developed by Vicarious Visions, an Activision studio.
- While Destiny 2 on the PS4 Pro is limited to 30 FPS, FPS beyond 60 are possible on PC
- There are no dedicated servers
- The network model of Destiny 2 is explained here – almost like dedicated servers
- Cross-play and cross-save are not possible.
- You can find more PC features here – There are design adjustments such as a reticle that is positioned directly in the center of the screen. On consoles, it is slightly lower.
Destiny 2 – Beta: When is the start?
- All previous information about the Destiny 2 beta can be found here.
Trailer for Destiny 2
Several trailers for Destiny 2 have already been released:
- This is the reveal teaser
- This is the reveal trailer
- This is the gameplay trailer
- This is the “Zavala trailer” – What makes a Guardian?
- Here is the E3 trailer
- All ViDocs about Destiny 2 can be found here
Pre-order Destiny 2 – Pre-Order for PS4, Xbox One, PC – Editions
If the previous information convinces you, you can already pre-order Destiny 2. The pre-order is ongoing.
There is a standard edition, an edition including an expansion pass, a digital deluxe edition, a limited edition, and a collector’s edition.
You can find the contents, prices, and all information about these editions of Destiny 2 here:
