Ranking Every Destiny Expansion: Which One Reigns Supreme?

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For more than ten years, an enormous amount of money has been spent trying to create the ultimate live-service game, but many attempts have fallen flat, such as Concord, Skull and Bones, Marvel’s Avengers, and numerous other high-profile failures that haven’t resonated with gamers. Yet, occasionally, a developer succeeds in hitting the mark, like Bungie with their Destiny series.

They are often seen as trailblazers of the live service model, but a significant portion of their success is attributed not to their Game-as-a-Service components, but rather to their exceptional Downloadable Content (DLC). Remarkable Destiny expansions significantly enhance the games they’re associated with, delivering enhanced gameplay experiences, new storylines, and additional depth to the series’ rich lore and world development.

12. Destiny 2: Curse of Osiris

OpenCritic Rating: 56

The first add-on for Destiny 2, titled Curse of Osiris, initially sparked great expectations among players before its launch. Regrettably, these expectations were disappointingly unmet, much like the expansion itself. In a way, it brought to mind the earlier expansions from the original game – abundant but lacking in depth and quality.

The update introduced a handful of new sites and tasks for the storyline, yet it seemed more like a quick fix rather than a genuine attempt to enhance or introduce something fresh. To make matters worse, it failed to address the lackluster endgame cycle that was desperately required at the time. What made Curse of Osiris so disheartening, however, wasn’t just its limited content, but rather that Bungie appeared to have overlooked the lessons from their work on the original Destiny game.

11. Destiny: The Dark Below

OpenCritic Rating: 60

Initially, “The Dark Below” was the inaugural expansion for the game known as “Destiny.” At the time of its release, there was a sense of curiosity and anticipation, as the game had already surmounted some initial issues and was steadily gaining popularity. Unfortunately, “The Dark Below” failed to deliver much in terms of keeping up the game’s momentum. This might not have been surprising given its comparatively lower cost.

The Dark Below primarily amplifies the game’s most problematic aspects, failing to introduce fresh concepts or build upon what was effective. The minimal story progression is disappointingly shallow, and a significant portion of the gameplay consists of unnecessary grinding rather than engaging content. In essence, The Dark Below provides an endgame activity for players who have already completed the main game, but offers little else to entice or engage.

10. Destiny 2: Warmind

OpenCritic Rating: 62

Warmind serves as a sequel to The Curse of Osiris, fortunately correcting many of its predecessor’s missteps. Although not flawless, it undeniably moved in the right direction. Compared to The Curse of Osiris, it contributes less to the game, but sometimes, less can be more. The fresh narrative elements feel purposeful and consistent, despite being somewhat limited in scope, ambition, and length.

Similar to previous updates, a large portion of the fresh content seems designed to require repetitive tasks, or grinding. However, the introduction of new weapons and the Masterworks update offers players something worthwhile in return for their dedication, making the tedious work feel less like drudgery when there’s a significant objective to strive towards.

9. Destiny 2: Beyond Light

OpenCritic Rating: 71

Before the launch of The Witch Queen and The Final Shape, expectations for Destiny 2 expansions weren’t exactly high. Most gamers were just thrilled about receiving some fresh content and occasional user experience improvements. However, following the release of Shadowkeep, it was tough not to feel a bit underwhelmed by Beyond Light.

Similar to many expansions in Destiny, Beyond Light’s storyline is generally considered average, but it was the management of sunsetting older Destiny 2 content that sparked most player complaints. Upon its launch, players found their access limited to locations, weapons, and even entire campaigns such as The Red War and Warmind.

8. Destiny: House of Wolves

OpenCritic Rating: 69

Following the letdown of The Dark Below, House of Wolves offered Bungie a well-deserved restoration. It embodied everything that the initial expansion should have, giving the impression that the developer finally began to heed player feedback instead of forcing unwanted content upon them. For even those who didn’t appreciate the expansion, it was significantly more appealing.

The Vestian Outpost offered a refreshing change in environment, while the Prison of Elders arena activity provided a fresh experience when many aspects of the game were beginning to feel repetitive. While it wasn’t an ideal expansion and didn’t significantly attract new players, it did keep existing ones engaged for a bit longer.

7. Destiny 2: Lightfall

OpenCritic Rating: 71

Following the triumph of The Witch Queen, some Destiny 2 players found Lightfall to be somewhat of a step back. While it does have its merits, these are often overshadowed by the expansion’s less-than-impressive campaign and the fact that much of the content it provides feels repetitive, with many instances being awkwardly rehashed material from before.

Exploring Neptune presents an intriguing opportunity, boasting the unique man-made city of Neomuna, which sets it apart from the majority of other in-game locales. The Strand subclass remains robust, while numerous enhancements to gameplay quality, added during the expansion, continue to impress as well.

6. Destiny: Rise of Iron

OpenCritic Rating: 71

The last expansion for the original Destiny game was called Rise of Iron. Although it wasn’t terrible, it seemed somewhat underwhelming. By this stage, Bungie had a clear understanding of their objectives and priorities, yet they put in just enough effort to meet expectations rather than making a grand finale.

The tale was captivating, presenting fresh concepts and characters, while an abundance of mission paths ensured players remained occupied. However, two years post-launch, some players were feeling fatigued by the repetition and sought novel experiences. Fortunately, with Destiny 2 approaching quickly, they wouldn’t need to wait long for a fresh adventure.

5. Destiny 2: Shadowkeep

OpenCritic Rating: 76

Shadowkeep, being Destiny 2’s fourth significant expansion, stands among the top-tier expansions. Although it has some minor imperfections, these flaws don’t diminish the finesse in the game mechanics or the substantial advancements it brings to the endgame. Most importantly, it alleviated worries about what Destiny’s post-Activision era would be like.

Despite the moon’s persistent chilliness and lack of warmth, Shadowkeep offers a vibrant narrative that contrasts beautifully with the desolate landscape. The new storyline is deeply rooted in lore and effectively draws players in. Unlike some previous expansions, the feeling of it being too brief stems more from players craving more quality content than feeling cheated.

4. Destiny 2: Forsaken

OpenCritic Rating: 82

Abandoned, it delivered an impressive farewell for Activision. The expansion offers numerous elements long anticipated by players and significantly exceeds the modest offerings of the previous two expansions. After a year’s wait, Destiny 2 at last seemed a fitting sequel to the original game.

In its latest update, Destiny 2: Forsaken offers a multitude of enhancements and fresh material, making it worthwhile for those who remained loyal to the game during its early stages when it seemed to be stagnating. The Gambit mode is undoubtedly the star attraction here, but there are many other appealing aspects within this expansion. The new narrative has great promise, although at times it falls short due to Destiny 2’s mediocre storytelling. While not the poorest in terms of storytelling, it does represent a missed chance for improvement in an otherwise outstanding Destiny 2 expansion.

3. Destiny: The Taken King

OpenCritic Rating: 84

Initially, The Taken King came with a substantial cost and needed the first two expansion packs for playing. Fortunately, it proved to be worth every cent spent. It offered a fresh storyline, new adversaries, and exotic locales. Essentially, it was a nearly complete overhaul, offering almost an entirely new gaming experience. The timing of its release could not have been better.

The latest plot development was undeniably the standout feature of the expansion and gave new vitality to the game at a time when it seemed close to its end. Additionally, this update introduced numerous enhancements aimed at improving the quality of life within Destiny, making the gaming experience smoother and more efficient. In essence, it felt like Destiny was reaching maturity, signifying the point where the game finally reached its full potential.

2. Destiny 2: The Witch Queen

OpenCritic Rating: 88

Approximately five years after the original release of Destiny 2, The Witch Queen expansion served as a fulfillment of its vision much like how The Taken King did for Destiny. Not only does it provide an engaging storyline, but it also introduces the Become Legend mode, making the game notably tougher even for experienced Destiny 2 players.

It’s questionable whether crafting was a beneficial addition or not, but overall, the new content generally met its target. If The Witch Queen were the last Destiny 2 expansion, it seems reasonable to assume that most fans would have been content, but the developers still had additional content to present.

1. Destiny 2: The Final Shape

OpenCritic Rating: 91

The Final Shape stands out as not just the top expansion for Destiny 2, but also among the greatest video game expansions ever created. Launched in June of 2024, it offers players a fulfilling end to the ten-year Light and Darkness story arc with its gripping and at times demanding narrative journey.

It seems this expansion was designed especially for fans as a heartfelt goodbye to a storyline that’s been cherished by many for years. Whether Bungie continues to create more expansions for Destiny 2 or decides to focus on smaller updates in the future, the original 2017 release has clearly made its mark.

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2025-02-22 08:56