Why New Players Are Struggling to Start in Destiny 2

by

In its nearly decade-long reign as one of the top looter-shooter games, Destiny 2 takes great pride in its intricate and satisfying character customization system. Players can tailor their Guardians for a myriad of activities with an almost infinite number of options, even pushing the boundaries to the extreme, such as triple armor stat of 100. Unfortunately, newcomers have missed out on much of this experimentation, which might be impacting the game’s ability to retain them long-term.

It’s well-known that the game Destiny 2 has faced challenges in attracting players since it stopped offering the original campaign storyline. Novices or “New Lights,” as Bungie refers to them, frequently comment on the game feeling incredibly expansive, and they are unsure of what actions to take. Apart from the Red War narrative no longer being accessible, there is one fundamental aspect of gameplay that New Lights cannot experience, and this omission might be more of a burden than an advantage.

Mods Being Locked Behind Guardian Ranks Could Be Confusing to New Destiny 2 Players

In addition to choosing subclasses, weapon and armor modifications play a crucial role in crafting a build. Even though a novice player might not fully comprehend the best ways to apply mods, they are essential for developing a character that aligns with a specific playing style. It’s important for beginners to experiment with these mods to discover their potential.

In the game Lightfall, Guardian Ranks were introduced as a means to offer more transparent goals and a streamlined experience for both newcomers and seasoned players. Most of these rank challenges don’t provide anything other than progress, but access to mods is only available at three distinct ranks.

  • Rank five: Armor mods
  • Rank six: Weapon, armor energy and three loadout slots
  • Rank seven: Armor charge mods

The Guardian Ranks were designed to gradually familiarize players with modifications (mods), but it seems they might not be achieving the intended outcome. Numerous newcomers have expressed bewilderment about the functions of mods and how to implement them, as they observe more advanced Guardians employing tools that remain inaccessible to them.

To veterans, the relationship between mod systems and Guardian Ranks in Destiny 2 may seem apparent, but for newcomers encountering the game’s numerous activities and features for the first time, it can be unclear how to begin creating a build. Since they might not realize that crucial character-enhancing elements are locked behind ranks that need to be advanced sequentially, new players could find themselves confused about where to start.

It’s possible to contend that providing newcomers immediate access to mods might not significantly alter their initial gaming experience. After all, novice players typically lack the understanding of complex, harmonious armor charge builds for Titans, but the hurdles hindering them from experimenting with mods could potentially diminish their overall enjoyment. Moreover, though early Guardian Rank objectives are generally straightforward to accomplish, New Lights may be unaware of what specific goals they should be pursuing.

Destiny 2 Has to Strike a Balance

Over the last few years, Destiny 2 has landed in an unusual position. With numerous activities available and some features taken away, it needs to find a balance between keeping its loyal players satisfied and attracting new ones. At present, restricting elements like mods behind progression might be causing more harm than benefit to the New Light experience of Destiny 2.

In the near future, simplification might be on the horizon for the game Frontiers, as Bungie plans to overhaul the armor system. The focus will be on reducing the dependence on good random stat rolls, making builds more straightforward. Additionally, there’s a possibility that mods may also undergo changes, which could help resolve some of the challenges the game faces in attracting and retaining new players.

Read More

2025-03-28 00:36