One Year Ago, Destiny 2: The Final Shape Briefly Reignited a Fire

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Summary

  • The Final Shape expansion is considered one of the best in Destiny history, delivering an emotional and impactful story campaign.
  • The expansion focused on concentrated storytelling and new gameplay elements like the Prismatic subclass, improving the player experience.
  • Despite the live-service model’s setbacks, The Final Shape showed that redemption is possible, setting the stage for future expansions like Edge of Fate.

This year marks the anniversary of the long-awaited launch of Destiny 2’s Final Shape expansion. As the culmination of the ten-year Light and Darkness Saga, there was a great deal at stake with The Final Shape, given that Destiny 2 had been steadily losing ground with its live-service model that failed to meet expectations. Fortunately, The Final Shape managed to reignite some passion, even if only for a short while.

Currently celebrated as one of the top expansions in Destiny’s history and a shining example of exceptional DLC quality, The Final Shape significantly improved the gaming experience and left a lasting impression on players and the game’s reputation a year ago. For a brief while, optimism flourished that Destiny 2 would rise to new heights following several challenges it faced due to its repetitive and outdated seasonal format. Despite where the game ultimately ended up, The Final Shape nonetheless demonstrated that redemption is always an achievable goal for Destiny 2.

One Year Ago, The Final Shape Gave Destiny a Brief Moment of Clarity

A Campaign That Finally Delivered

In the Final Shape expansion of Destiny 2, the campaign was undeniably the standout feature. Instead of simply advancing the ongoing Light versus Darkness storyline, The Final Shape brought it to a close, and it did so in an emotionally charged, tear-inducing way that fittingly wrapped up a decade’s worth of narrative threads. With well-timed missions, impactful storytelling, and touching reunions, Bungie successfully rekindled the sense of awe, sorrow, and triumph that Destiny was initially known for – emotions that are earned rather than purchased. The personal stakes, engaging dialogue, and substantial set pieces resonated deeply with many players, placing The Final Shape’s campaign on par with or even surpassing the beloved Taken King expansion.

What Worked, and Why It Mattered

As a dedicated fan of Destiny 2, I have to say that one of the reasons The Final Shape left such an indelible mark on me was its remarkable self-restraint. Unlike other games that drown you in excessive systems and complex mechanics, it masterfully prioritized flow, offering players epic, impactful moments instead of countless minor distractions. When Cayde-6 made his comeback, it wasn’t a mere gimmick. And when Zavala showed vulnerability, it was genuine, not just for show. With The Final Shape, Destiny 2 delivered a potent, focused narrative experience that reminded me powerfully why I ever believed the story could evolve into something truly captivating.

The highlight of Destiny 2‘s Final Shape expansion was, without a doubt, its campaign.

Apart from an engaging plot, The Final Shape also excelled in gameplay aspects. A standout feature was the introduction of the Prismatic subclass, allowing players to blend abilities from Light and Darkness for the first time. This resulted in over-the-top combinations such as a Void grenade with a melee attack from Strand or a Solar super combined with Stasis powers. In addition, new Supers were introduced for each class along with this subclass category. Lastly, the newly added Pale Heart location in the expansion is widely considered one of the best Destiny 2 locations yet, boasting a dynamic world filled with numerous secrets for players to uncover as they explore.

The Live-Service Weight Still Lingers

Despite its impressive campaign and bold initiatives, the operational burden of the live-service model in Destiny 2 persisted. As Destiny 2 transitioned from its seasonal approach to an Episodic structure, it validated a concern shared by many fans: that Episodes were merely extended seasons. Soon after the excitement generated by The Final Shape was kindled, it began to dwindle as ongoing players continued to encounter more of the same content with a fresh name. However, Bungie didn’t take long to react, expressing a strong intention to make amends for a game that had left players feeling burnt on several occasions.

As Destiny 2 embarks on its new chapter, known as the Fate Saga, there seems to be a renewed sense of optimism. It remains uncertain where the Edge of Fate expansion might lead this cherished MMO, or if it will live up to the expectations set by The Final Shape. Maybe The Edge of Fate could continue from where The Final Shape ended and rekindle the embers that still glow in the hearts of Destiny 2’s most devoted players. Only time can reveal the truth.

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2025-06-05 12:44