Bungie Wants Destiny 2 To Return To the 'Feeling Of Destiny 1'
Bungie wants Destiny 2 to feel more like the first game in the sci-fi franchise, with the Beyond Light expansion giving players more freedom to customize their characters. The game originally launched in 2017 and suffered a rough launch, prompting the developer to make a number of changes to the gameplay experience. Last year, the studio split with publisher Activision in a move that gave it the ability to move forward with the series as it sees fit.
The Beyond Light expansion, which was originally due to launch in September but has now been delayed until November 10 due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, is the third major update to Destiny 2. Acting as the start of a new arc in the story, it will feature some of the most significant changes to the shooter since it was released three years ago. This includes new Darkness-based Stasis powers in contrast to the standard Light abilities.
Bungie's Luke Smith has revealed the developer is looking to make Destiny 2 feel more like its predecessor. Speaking in an interview with EDGE magazine (via Wccftech) the game director detailed the benefits of the new Stasis powers that will be introduced in the new expansion Beyond Light. The studio is hoping this can be accomplished by giving players more options to customize their Guardians and make them feel more personal like in the original Destiny. He shared:
"What we're trying to do with Stasis and wielding the Darkness is to show you as a player more freedom. There's also a meta statement tha we're making about the difference in the powers between light and dark, but there's this other part, which is the fantasy of, 'This is my Guardian, there are many like it, but this one is mine'... I think we're trying to get a little bit back to the feeling of Destiny 1, but updated to how we're thinking and some of the systems that we're using today in Destiny 2."
The launch of Beyond Light comes as Bungie enters into a new relationship with Microsoft. Amid rumors that the tech giant is looking to purchase the development studio once again, Destiny 2 is now available on Xbox Game Pass. All of the previously released expansions are also able to be downloaded as part of the subscription service, including the upcoming DLC. Those who own a copy of the game will also be able to upgrade to the next-gen version on PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X for free.
Destiny 2 has gone through a number of changes since it launched in 2017, and The Beyond Light expansion is just the latest attempt by Bungie to improve the game and fix the issues that left fans disappointed when it originally released. The fact that the studio wants to make the sequel more like its predecessor is no great surprise, as many of the changes - and confusing reversions - made in Destiny 2 were not well received.
Destiny 2: Beyond Light is due to launch on November 10 for current-gen systems and Xbox Series X/S, with the PlayStation 5 version following later in the month.
Source: EDGE, Wccftech