Players, not Destiny 2, are to blame

Why do certain enthusiasts of Destiny 2 incessantly criticize Bungie? This question has been on my mind throughout my extensive experience with the game. From what I can gather, these individuals are deeply invested in the game. It’s almost as if we should take control of our decisions and step away when something no longer satisfies us. However, setting aside the snarkiness, it’s crucial to delve deeper into the reasons why this FPS game is becoming increasingly polarizing.

There have been discussions about Destiny 2 turning into a ‘microtransaction hell.’ It’s true that since the release of the original Destiny in 2014, the game’s format has evolved to accommodate its expansive content and monetization strategies.

Currently, the most popular live service games are free to play, with additional microtransactions, expansions, and DLCs sustaining their long-term operations. Destiny 2’s free-to-play content offers a generous selection of activities, allowing players to experience all three classes and providing a revamped version of the New Light quest to guide newcomers in using those classes.

The new Guardian Ranks system and the built-in Vanguard Strikes playlist are available for everyone without cost. This means that even though most strikes are exclusive to paid expansions on the world map, players can still get a taste of them when they cycle into the playlist.

The majority of the PvP mode, Crucible, as well as the hybrid Gambit mode, are accessible to all players for free. The same goes for seasonal events like Guardian Games, Festival of the Lost, Solstice of Heroes, and The Dawning. The Prophecy dungeon, Vault of Glass, and King’s Fall raids are all free. Patrols, public events, and Lost Sectors? Free again.

In addition, the newly added 2021’s Dares of Eternity event, which celebrates 30 years of Bungie, is also free. Furthermore, free players can access the first campaign missions in full for The Witch Queen and Lightfall campaigns. That’s an impressive amount of content for nothing, including a mix of all gameplay modes, the latest campaign missions, and endgame activities. Bungie hasn’t locked all the best parts of Destiny 2 behind paywalls.

Therefore, I fail to see any significant issues with Bungie’s monetization methods. It might cause frustration for long-time fans who feel the need to collect every weapon ornament or the latest emotes and shaders. However, personally, I prefer to wait until they become available in the Bright Dust store. After that, I can purchase them using in-game currency earned through completing activities.

Perhaps the issue lies in Bungie’s previous decision to sunset paid content, rendering it unplayable. This was undoubtedly a source of frustration for many, including myself. It doesn’t seem fair that content I’ve paid for is suddenly inaccessible. However, Bungie has since reversed that decision and pledged to never sunset anything again. They have even brought back old content from the vaults, including raids from the original Destiny, such as Vault of Glass and King’s Fall. These raids now feature improved mechanics and balancing, all available for free.

Therefore, maybe the problem lies in the gameplay loop. For several years, some players have complained about the seasonal model and its storyline, claiming that it lacks fulfillment or fails to provide enough engaging content. Bungie responded last season by eliminating a core character and providing extensive context about their departure, linking it to the upcoming Lightfall expansion, something they struggled with before. They also surprised players with a revealing cutscene that answered longstanding questions about the origins of The Witness and the Veil. Last month, Bungie further astounded fans by revealing the resurrection of Savathûn, the Hive goddess of trickery and the central antagonist in The Witch Queen. It seems like Bungie is finally delivering a more integrated narrative with The Witch Queen and Lightfall.

Despite these numerous improvements, there is still a section of the playerbase that expects more, and they want it faster. They desire a live service game without any flaws, challenges during transition phases, or a developer trying to juggle numerous tasks while adapting monetization methods accordingly.

Some individuals overlook the phenomenal narrative that led us to Lightfall and forget the gripping and revelatory campaign of The Witch Queen. They also fail to acknowledge that Bungie has been consistently providing new raids or dungeons every three months for over a year now. The game offers a range of features such as character customization, transmog, weapon crafting, Guardian Ranks, seasonal model, engram focusing, arsenal tuning, and new game modes. However, for some players, these enhancements are never enough. This then begs the question: if they feel that way, why don’t they simply stop playing?

The answer lies in the fact that deep down, we Destiny 2 fans understand that these complaints pale in comparison to the positive aspects of Bungie’s work. We recognize that Destiny 2 is an enormous game because of its unparalleled gunplay, captivating character development and adventures, and the sheer amount of rewarding gameplay it offers. As we approach the Final Shape release date and the conclusion of the Light and Dark saga, we should appreciate how fortunate we’ve been to experience this sprawling epic. Yet, at this moment, some of us struggle to simply sit back and enjoy it.

Ensure you’re ready for the next challenge by exploring our guides on the best Destiny 2 builds, the weekly Xur location, and a comprehensive breakdown of the current top Destiny 2 class.

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