Title: Destiny 2: The Final Shape
Released On: June 4th, 2024
Genre: First Person Shooter, Looter Shooter, Action, Adventure, Free to Play
Reviewed On: PC(Steam)
Developer: Bungie
Publisher: Bungie
MSRP: USD $49.99/$99.99(with Annual Pass included)

Destiny has always been a series I have enjoyed and been passionate about. Starting all the way back in the Alpha states of the first title, I have been with Destiny through most of the ride, logging in thousands of hours between both titles. One thing that always gets me excited, is expansions for my beloved game, And The Final Shape did not disappoint.

I’ll try to keep this somewhat spoiler free for those that still have yet to get the expansion, but some may still happen. You have been warned.

Let’s start things off with the new subclass for Guardians to choose, the Prismatic subclass.

Prismatic subclass lets you pick and chose specific pieces from all previously released subclasses, giving the ability to run a mix of elemental damage types in combination with one of your favorite super abilities as well as the ability to use Transcendence, giving Guardians enhanced abilities, damage, and regeneration while active. For Example, I personally use an Arc Super Ability, Solar Grenades, and Strand Melee ability on my hunter. While the options available are limited, there is still plenty to choose from and is very easy to customize to fit just about any playstyle or content to be pushed.

On top of getting a whole new subclass, each Class also got a new super ability for one of the older subclasses.

Hunters received the new Arc based Super ability, Storm’s Edge. This allows the hunter to summon and throw a dagger, and then teleport to the dagger(think of Noctis from Final Fantasy XV) doing a large area of effect attack. It is very handy for dealing with large groups of mobs, while still doing decent single target damage to larger enemies or bosses.

Warlocks got a handy new Solar based Super ability, The Song of Flame. This allows the user to become radiant, overcharge the melee ability, and grenades become a sentient Spirit of Flame that seeks out nearby enemies and explodes. To round off the list, Titans received the Void Super ability called Twilight Arsenal. This allows the caster to summon throw-able Void axes that pull enemies in and explode, dealing heavy damage and weakening anything left standing after the explosion. The axes can also be picked up and wielded by the Titan and their fireteam as melee weapons if desired.

Along with the new subclasses and supers, came new Exotic Armor pieces and weapons as well. Sadly, I have been able to experience most of these new pieces myself to review on directly, but I will list them below for you with any notes I might have.

• Hunter
  • Exotic Class Item: Relativism
  • Exotic Chest: Gifted Conviction
  • Exotic Leg: Balance of Power
• Warlock
  • Exotic Class Item: Solipsism
  • Exotic Chest: Mataiodoxia
  • Exotic Helmet: Speaker’s Sight
• Titan
  • Exotic Class Item: Stoicism
  • Exotic Chest: Hazardous Propulsion
  • Exotic Gauntlets: Wishful Ignorance
• Weapons
  • Sniper Rifle: Still Hunt(Imagine Sniping, with a Golden Gun. Yup!)
  • Auto Rifle: Khvostov 7G-0X
  • Trace Rifle: Microcosm
  • Fusion Rifle: Tessellation
  • Pulse Rifle: Red Death Reformed(Season Pass Weapon)

The new area added in The Final Shape, The Pale Heart, is beautiful. It is “inside” the Traveler, and contains a few different areas all with unique feels and looks to them. All the places are reimagined places going back all the way to Destiny 1, reflecting the journey the Guardians have been through. The main hub is the original tower from Destiny 1, if it had been retaken by nature. Naturally the new area includes new lost sectors to explore and chests to loot. Easter eggs to gather and collect also made a return, similar to looking for the moths during the Savathun phase.

Another thing about the Pale Heart location I found interesting, is that it is a solo player instance unlike all the others. This means you will never run into another Guardian while exploring. I have not found this to be an hinderance to completing the events that are present, but it is still an odd choice for what is basically an MMO at this point. The Overthrow events are fun and easy enough to solo through, and so far the lost sectors and other activities have continued to be enjoyable, even during the gear grind that comes with each expansion. Oh and lets not forget the new enemy faction that we get to fight through, The Dread.

The Dread are a mean group loyal to the Witness that are imbued with Darkness powers and are equal parts awesome and annoying. The different types are limited, but all have unique abilities just to them:

• Grim
  • These are a new flying enemy with the power to suppress the Guardian’s abilities. They are highly mobile and can be quite the pain in large groups
• Husk
  • I think of these as a Monk/Gymnatist hybrid enemy that will chase you down relentlessly. They also happen to release what might be their soul to chase you down after death unless you finish it with a precision blow.
• Attendant
  • This enemy uses Statis powers to disrupt and freeze you in place. Well Statis can be avoided, when grouped up with other enemies it becomes real easy to get accidently frozen, which is never good.
• Weaver
  • Same as the Attendant, but with Strand. That’s about the only difference.
• Omen
  • This is the Attendant 2.0. It’s basically fighting a Statis Warlock that is always using the super ability.
• Harbinger
  • Omen, but with Strand powers! Soooo Scarrryyy
• Tormentor
  • We all know about these already, and they are still just as much of a pain to fight. Upside is you can use the finishers on them, which makes them more manageable.

The new zone also included a new set of weapons to collect. The weapons are based off fan favorite and returning Vanguard member, Cayde-6. A new weapon specific perk “Dealer’s Choice” is present on each, and having multiple equipped will have an increased effect. This perk simply grants bonus super energy per final blow,

A couple of the new weapons had to have looked to Borderlands for reference points. Most are more of the same, however the new Sidearm and the new Auto Rifle are completely new archetypes. The Sidearm, named “The Call” is a Rocket-Assisted Frame archetype. And yes it does exactly what you think it does, it is a rocket shooting pistol and it is amazingly fun to use. The Auto Rifle, called “No Hesitation” rocks what is dubbed the Support Frame. The Support Frame can not only damage enemies as you would expect, but hip firing will heal allies during combat. I have made use of this is some of the harder events as everyone continues to gear up and let me tell you, it’s a handy thing to have around.

Bungie decided to revamp their Bounty system into something called the Pathfinder. This new system replaced and combined Bounties, patrols, and vendor challenges into one place. So far, it’s awesome. There are 2 of these in the game, one that combines Vanguard activities(Strikes and Nightfalls), Gambit, and Crucible known as the Ritual Pathfinder. This one is available right from the start and gives the same powerful rewards and experience bonuses you expect from what it replaced. After you beat the story, you unlock a Pathfinder that is only for the Pale Heart location. This one only involves activities that can be done there, but still provides powerful gear rewards like the Ritual one does.

I won’t go into any details on the story, but I will say I thought it was very good. The way the Vanguard and the rest of the Allies we have made through the years band together for the final fight is fitting. Also, Cayde-6 coming back was worth the wait. He is and will always be my favorite member of the Vanguard, and as a Hunter will always be my Vanguard.

A few other things to note with the release of The Final Shape. The HUD is slightly different, and the buffs/debuffs now show more clearly and prominently. I found this very refreshing as certain activities require having certain buffs. The Season Pass has changed slightly, and is now an Episode released in Acts, each with it’s own story lines and progression paths possibly. It’s hard to tell at this time what exactly will happen when Act 2 releases, However Bungie stated “This new structure will introduce fresh storylines, quests, activities, and rewards, including activities, weapons, and armor, alongside artifact mods, pass ranks, and more” so I am looking forward to see what they do with it.

If you, or someone you know, is a fan of Destiny and has been on the fence about this expansion. I cannot recommend it enough. I believe that Bungie really did a good job, and despite the rocky past of Destiny 2 I truly believe that they care about this series and the players, and this expansion shows that in spades. Thank you Bungie for all these years of enjoyment.

Final Score: 9/10

A fantastic ending to a long, tough journey for both our Guardians and us. Thank you Bungie for your years of dedication to this series.

The review copy of this game was provided by the Public Relations team of Bungie.