To say Bungie has been through a lot in recent years would be an understatement, but judging by the reception to Destiny 2 The Edge of Fate, there’s still further to go. Destiny 2’s player count failed to match previous expansions with this most recent launch, as many players chose not to return to the game. For any long-time Destiny 2 fan, this shouldn’t really be too surprising - Bungie ended the ten-year-long Light and Darkness saga with a bang in The Final Shape, and no matter what the studio did next, it was unlikely to bring back those players who had made the choice to move on.

Destiny 2's endgame just got hit with its biggest controversy

The Edge of Fate, as an expansion itself, has also been called into question, and while the response to it in general has been decent, it has not managed to significantly impress a large portion of the community. Though it has changed a number of core systems and streamlined the content offering, it is more Destiny at a time when Destiny 2 needed to change. There are a lot of things that Bungie could take from the expansion’s release, such as cheating still being an issue, or players struggling with the Portal system, but most of all, Bungie needs to take a long, hard look at Destiny 2’s retention model.

Destiny 2 Wants 100% of Its Players’ Time, but Edge of Fate Proves It Needs to Let Them Go

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Guardian and their Ghost talk before a mission in Destiny 2.

Destiny 2 has long had a history of FOMO. After all, live services as successful as Destiny have all, in some regard, relied on FOMO as a way to keep players engaged with systems, and hopefully, spending in the cash shops. But Destiny’s reputation for this has not been a good one over the years, with many players decrying the miserly nature of its systems. Destiny 2’s transmog system is a good example, as, on the one hand, it allows for some excellent fashion expression. On the other hand, it is expensive, grindy, and artificially limited every season, and is designed in a way to keep players engaged with the game just so they can fulfill a bounty.

Destiny 2's transmog system has improved over time, but is still considered by many to be one of the most restrictive kinds of transmog systems in video games.

Destiny 2 The Edge of Fate Arms Week Event NPC Vendor Ada-1
Destiny 2 The Edge of Fate Arms Week Event NPC Vendor Ada-1

This philosophy has rubbed against many players over the years, testing the community’s tolerance for having content added, only to be spoon-fed. Of course, Destiny 2 walks a tightrope. If all of its rewards were immediately accessible, there wouldn’t be much of a point in playing the looter-shooter. Part of Destiny 2’s appeal is that there is always something to chase, and the best looter-shooter games can keep players coming back to the same activities time and again for exciting rewards. But Bungie chose to apply this philosophy to every aspect of the game, as illustrated best by transmog.

Shooting a boss in a party in Destiny 2

Destiny 2’s Best Way to Bring Back Players Would Be by Making Them Play Less

As Edge of Fate failed to move the needle on the game’s perception, and many players made the choice to leave, it seems like now would be the best time to make some real changes. One way for the game to change would be to make it more ambitious in its scope. Destiny 2 needs to go further than Kepler if it wants to really add the mystique of the universe back again, but it also needs to change how it treats its audience, and there’s one game it could learn from.

final fantasy 14 crystarium rebel's attire cash shop alisaie similar

Destiny 2 Should Steal a Page Out of Final Fantasy 14's Playbook

Final Fantasy 14 had a terrible launch, but ever since it came out, the developers have taken huge strides to increase the quality of the game at every level. FF14 fans are often some of the most vocally supportive of the game, and it’s easy to see why - the game delivers on its content, satisfies its players, but also doesn’t ask too much of them. Final Fantasy 14’s game director Yoshi-P said it himself, explaining that he doesn’t want to have all of a player’s time. When content isn’t fresh, players are not expected to log in just to keep up, and Destiny 2 could use a philosophy like this to bring disengaged players back and make current fans feel rewarded for their time. Ironically, by asking players to play less, Bungie could retain them more.

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Destiny 2 Tag Page Cover Art

Destiny 2
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FPS
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Systems
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Top Critic Avg: 84 /100 Critics Rec: 88%
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Released
August 28, 2017
ESRB
T For TEEN for Blood, Language, and Violence
Developer(s)
Bungie
Publisher(s)
Bungie
Engine
Tiger Engine
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
Cross-Platform Play
PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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Dive into the world of Destiny 2 to explore the mysteries of the solar system and experience responsive first-person shooter combat. Unlock powerful elemental abilities and collect unique gear to customize your Guardian's look and playstyle. Enjoy Destiny 2’s cinematic story, challenging co-op missions, and a variety of PvP modes alone or with friends. Download for free today and write your legend in the stars.

An Immersive Story
You are a Guardian, defender of the Last City of humanity in a solar system under siege by infamous villains. Look to the stars and stand against the darkness. Your legend begins now.

Guardian Classes
Choose from the armored Titan, mystic Warlock, or swift Hunter.

Genre(s)
FPS