Is Destiny 2 Worth Playing in 2026?

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The question of whether Destiny 2 is still worth playing comes up frequently, often every year. This is because the game has had periods of great success followed by significant disappointments. Each new expansion or update seems to reignite the debate: some players believe the game is back on track, while others feel it has lost its appeal. Many are somewhere in between, frustrated that a game with so much potential can also be so draining. This cycle of ups and downs has, for better or worse, become a defining characteristic of Destiny 2.

The debate about whether Destiny 2 is still worth playing keeps coming up because, at its best, there’s really nothing else quite like it. Despite years of changes and occasional mistakes, the core gameplay is still excellent. With the upcoming Renegades expansion and future updates planned, 2026 looks promising. However, whether you’ll enjoy Destiny 2 now depends more on your personal preferences – how much you enjoy ongoing, evolving games, your level of patience, and if you’re open to being surprised by what the game offers.

There Is Still No Shooter Experience Out There Like Destiny 2

No matter what’s happening with new content in Destiny 2, the core shooting mechanics are fantastic. I believe it’s one of the best first-person shooters of all time, and that makes it worth playing for years to come.

One of the best things about Destiny 2 is how satisfying the shooting feels. Each weapon has a unique feel and sound, and you can really sense the developers’ experience with games like Halo in the precise feedback you get with every shot. Plus, Destiny 2 offers a ton of variety in how you can build your character, and the developers have continually made this even better over time. Now, there are more ways than ever to customize your character, so you can always switch things up and try a new approach when your current build gets old.

No matter what’s happening with new content in Destiny 2, the core shooting mechanics are still excellent and stand out.

One of the best things about Destiny 2 is how rewarding it feels to collect powerful gear and create effective character builds. This constant chase for better loot keeps players engaged for a very long time. Plus, the game’s world is beautifully designed and truly immersive, with varied environments, interesting enemies, and a rich story that makes for a compelling first-person shooter experience. Once you get invested, it’s hard to stop playing.

These aren’t so much reasons why Destiny 2 will be great in 2026, but why it’s consistently a good first-person shooter to play. It can be a bit daunting for newcomers, as the game hasn’t always been welcoming to new players. However, the recent Renegades expansion feels like a good place to start, if you’re willing to invest the time. This is also what keeps players, including myself, returning – there’s really nothing else quite like it. Ultimately, if you’re looking for a quality first-person shooter experience, Destiny 2 is worth playing, now and in 2026.

Destiny 2’s Renegades Expansion Is Fun, and There Are More on the Way

Even before the new Renegades expansion, Destiny 2 was a great game to play this year. Now, it’s even more enjoyable, especially if you’re a Star Wars fan. As a big Star Wars enthusiast myself, I loved all the little nods to the franchise when I first started playing Renegades. Exploring the new areas, one of which is clearly inspired by the Death Star, was a real treat. I even found Destiny 2‘s take on a Mouse Droid and eagerly waited to hear its signature sound – and Bungie delivered! It’s a fantastic blend of Destiny 2 and Star Wars that still feels true to the original game.

Even if you don’t know much about Star Wars, the Renegades update still brings a lot to Destiny 2. It adds new things to do, new weapons and gear, and new abilities, plus it improves the overall experience and balances gameplay. This makes Destiny 2 feel fresh and exciting, at least for a while. It’s normal for that feeling to fade after playing for a long time, but the initial experience is enjoyable. However, because Destiny 2 is a constantly evolving game, that fading feeling can be more noticeable than in other titles.

Everything Destiny 2: Renegades Adds or Improves

  • NEW CAMPAIGN STORY tied to Renegades’ Star Wars theme.
  • LAWLESS FRONTIER ACTIVITY introduces a fresh playable hub with multiple mission types like bounty hunts, sabotage, and a new Invasion style mode where enemies (even players in some cases) can intervene.
  • NEW EQUILIBRIUM DUNGEON with unique bosses and loot, free to players who own Renegades.
  • BLASTER WEAPON ARCHETYPE in the energy slot with heat-based mechanics instead of traditional reloading.
  • NEW WEAPONS AND PERKS, including several exotic weapons like Praxic Blade, Heirloom Crossbow, and others.
  • NEW ARMOR SETS with unique bonuses, giving more build diversity and power fantasy.
  • NEW ABILITY SYSTEM that replaces traditional grenade/melee buttons with specialized Renegades abilities that change combat dynamics.
  • POWER NOW CARRIES OVER BETWEEN SEASONS instead of resetting your progress.
  • UNSTABLES CORES (a much-criticized infusion currency) are removed entirely, making gear infusion simpler and far less frustrating.
  • MASSIVE VAULT EXPANSION (+300 SLOTS) and improved filtering so players can actually keep gear and organize inventory.
  • PORTAL SYSTEM FIXES, bug fixes, and improvements to activities and matchmaking across the game.
  • MAJOR SANDBOX TUNING with buffs to abilities, weapons, and subclasses, notably bringing some underperforming builds back into viability.

Players have been particularly impressed with the recent “Renegades” update in Destiny 2, highlighting its engaging story, new weapons and perks, and the challenging Equilibrium dungeon. While the Lawless Frontier activity has received some criticism for being repetitive – a common issue in games like this – many players, including myself, find it enjoyable due to the sheer number of enemies. The new Praxic Blade, a lightsaber-like weapon, has also been a hit, praised for both its feel and its Star Warsinspired design. Overall, the story has been well-received for capturing the Star Wars* atmosphere and being genuinely fun, and the Equilibrium dungeon has earned praise from players like Curious_Land7928 on Reddit.

Even after the release of Renegades, Destiny 2 has two more expansions planned for 2026: The Shattered Cycle and The Alchemist, which could make the game even better. Most of the criticism surrounding Renegades has been that it’s good, but not revolutionary, and that it didn’t immediately bring in a lot of new players. However, these points aren’t major drawbacks for players returning to the game or trying it for the first time, especially looking ahead to 2026. Renegades offers a more streamlined and rewarding experience than Destiny 2 did a year ago, and with those future expansions confirmed, it seems Bungie is dedicated to building a clearer path forward for the game.

So, Is Destiny 2 Worth Playing in 2026?

Whether or not Destiny 2 is still a good game to play in 2026 really depends on your personal preferences and what you’re looking for in a game.

  • For new players or those who have been away for a while, the longstanding MMO is currently in a place where it can really hook you if you give it a chance, especially if you’re a Star Wars fan.

The Renegades expansion is a strong addition to Destiny 2. While some hardcore fans might say it strays too far from the core Destiny experience, it still feels distinctly like itself – albeit with a heavy dose of cinematic flair. More importantly, it remains one of the best first-person shooters available, and its consistently excellent gameplay raises a tricky question: does the game even need a sequel?

Whether or not Destiny 2 is still a good game to play in 2026 depends on your personal preferences and what you’re looking for in a game.

  • Those who have already played through the new content that arrived with Destiny 2‘s Renegades expansion and have put a significant dent in their Power grind might find it’s no longer worth playing—until the next expansion, The Shattered Cycle, launches anyway.

Even dedicated players might feel like Destiny 2 has lost its momentum, and that’s perfectly reasonable. The game has consistently delivered on its original goals, overcoming numerous challenges. However, after repeatedly fixing, rebuilding, and refining the experience, many long-time players are understandably feeling burnt out. For those players, either Destiny 2 isn’t worth playing in 2026, or this year might be their last.

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2026-01-13 19:40