Is Destiny 2’s New Episodic Model a Game-Changer or Just More of the Same?

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The grand debut of Destiny 2‘s Final Shape expansion signaled the conclusion of one era in the game and the commencement of another. It served as a culmination for many players after a decade-long journey, yet the introduction of an episodic narrative has effectively wrapped up the threads following the defeat of the Witness, setting the stage for a fresh tale within Destiny 2’s universe. The game’s episodes have sparked much debate among fans, due in part to their resemblance to the seasonal model used earlier, although opinions remain divided on whether this episodic approach should continue. Nevertheless, it offers certain advantages for specific types of gamers.

After the unveiling of all three episodes following The Final Shape, it’s evident that they function much like seasons in the game Destiny 2, contrary to what many fans initially anticipated. Originally, Bungie described Destiny 2’s episodic content as a means to deliver immersive, standalone narratives to maintain player engagement with fresh experiences throughout the year. In contrast, the seasonal model was designed to gradually advance the ongoing story of the Light and Dark saga across four distinct content updates annually. Essentially, Destiny 2’s episodes represent an adjusted version of the seasonal model, exhibiting some key distinctions:

  • Three episodes are released in a year, instead of four seasons.
  • Episodes feature a greater focus on narrative.
  • Each episode runs for a longer duration than a season, with each episode featuring a larger 200-tier battle pass and being split up into three acts.
  • Each episode features an exotic mission and an accompanying exclusive exotic weapon.

The Pros and Cons of the Episodic Structure

In simpler terms, the episodic structure of “Destiny 2” means fewer, but more consistent updates per year compared to a typical annual update cycle. Many players find that each episode doesn’t seem significantly bigger or more impactful than a good seasonal update. As a result, those who play the game consistently throughout the year often express criticism towards the episodic model because it results in only three content releases instead of the usual four.

Although it’s important to note that Destiny 2 isn’t reducing the number of seasons per year, the change in battle pass structure might seem different. Instead of the usual 100 tiers, each season now offers 200 tiers. This means there will be a total of 600 tiers per year, which is 200 more than before. However, players should remember that the entire battle pass for each Destiny 2 episode isn’t available at once. The episodes are divided into three acts, with new tiers on the battle passes becoming accessible as new acts are released. This way, regular players can stay engaged throughout the extended duration of each episode.

In each new act, you’ll find fresh artifact perks and seasonal weapons up for grabs, with a wait of roughly six weeks between acts rather than the full twelve weeks between seasons in Destiny 2. Each season presents a unique setting and a mix of loot, making it clear that the game’s seasonal model provides a wider array of content annually. However, when weighing the number of exotic missions and battle pass sizes offered by the episodes, as well as the fact that Destiny 2 has still delivered its usual two annual dungeons this year, it’s challenging to determine whether seasons or episodes offer more content.

Episodes Are Ideal For The Story-Minded Casual Fan, But Not Daily Players

The episodes in Destiny 2 still contain the usual seasonal tricks and activities that fans have come to expect. However, whether the game should revert back to its traditional seasonal model may vary among Destiny 2 players. The episodes aim to provide more story-driven, campaign-like experiences, which could be attractive to those who play the game sporadically to follow the narrative progression. Conversely, players who are deeply involved with Destiny 2 on a daily basis are likely to derive more benefits from the seasonal model in the long term.

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2025-04-23 16:36