The Edge of Fate feels like Destiny 2’s best entry point in years

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With Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate set to unfold in July, I can’t help but feel like we’re at a pivotal moment for this beloved series. As a long-time player, I must admit that the game has become somewhat cumbersome over time, even as it gears up for the next expansion. Yet, the promise of quality-of-life improvements with The Edge of Fate has me genuinely thrilled. Recently, Bungie granted us a sneak peek into their plans for this new chapter. I’m confident that when this fresh installment arrives, it could very well be the most inviting onboarding experience Destiny has offered in quite some time.

An Emissary no more

It’s clear to anyone who watched the Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate trailers that this expansion’s storyline involves some significant plot points that have been developing for years. The Emissary of the Nine, or more precisely, the Guardian Titan (Orin) it possessed, has reached a breaking point. The Emissary and the Nine have their own plans, but Orin has broken free from the Nine’s control and is now joining us in thwarting their machinations. Simultaneously, on the celestial body of Kepler, there are unusual energy fluctuations causing temporal and spatial distortions. The Vex and the Fallen are in a race to understand this energy, so we must step in as well.

Kepler is a twisting labyrinth of verdant energy, treacherous landscapes, and enigmatic riddles. It’s more than just shooting and running; it requires careful exploration. The gameplay incorporates elements reminiscent of Metroidvania, with various skills such as Matterspark, Mattermorph, and Relocation being utilized to navigate the location effectively.

In essence, Matterspark is remarkably similar to the Morph Ball ability from Metroid. It allows you to transform into a spark, enabling you to navigate through narrow passages and restricted areas that would otherwise be inaccessible. Furthermore, you can discharge electricity, which can either incinerate enemies or activate machinery necessary for progression. Initially, you’ll only be able to maintain this form for brief periods, but as the game progresses, you’ll discover ways to stay in Matterspark for extended durations and unleash a potent charge to create chaos among your adversaries.

In Mattermorph, you can pick debris off specific trees which then enable platforms within the environment that would otherwise be inaccessible. On the other hand, the Relocator is an energy weapon found at strategic locations across the world. It’s not just for eliminating enemies, but also for activating teleportation platforms. These teleportation platforms are often situated behind security lasers and hazardous areas, so you need the Relocator to progress in certain spots. In our gaming experience, we encountered less of Mattermorph and Relocation compared to Matterspark, but we did get a chance to play missions where all these abilities were used, and the challenges that resulted from combining them were quite engaging.

Absolutely, The Edge of Fate brings along some awesome weapons and equipment, and here are a couple I found quite striking. In the category of Exotics, I’ve had a blast using the Graviton Spike Hand Cannon and the Third Iteration energy Scout Rifle. Of all the new additions, the Third Iteration might be my top pick. In regular mode, it fires off three dispersed bursts of energy, but when you aim, those three points merge into one for a potent precision shot. To make things even better, if you take down an enemy with that precision shot, it momentarily cloaks you and boosts the power of your next charged shot.

In summary, the Graviton Spike Hand Cannon uniquely switches between Stasis and Arc damage as you hold down the reload button. When used to harm enemies, one side builds up power for the other until precision shots with the Arc side trigger lightning strikes on enemies, while the Stasis side causes them to shatter into a Stasis crystal, damaging nearby foes. If both sides are powered up, it overcharges the gun, increasing its destructive potential. This gun is particularly interactive and can escalate from a snowball into an avalanche with skillful use. Among the new weapons introduced, these two caught my attention the most. For those seeking fresh offensive strategies, The Edge of Fate has plenty to offer beyond just new guns.

Making a better experience

In Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate, I’ve been blown away by the thrilling narrative, immersive world, and top-notch weaponry, but what really left me breathless was the torrent of community-requested features and quality-of-life upgrades that are heading our way. This extensive update encompasses everything from streamlining menus and interactions to personalizing your gaming experience like never before with new mods and set bonuses for my Guardian!

To start with, you’ve deciphered correctly. The announcement is indeed about Destiny 2 receiving armors with set bonuses upon the arrival of Edge of Fate. During our gameplay experience, we observed several different sets and discovered that additional stats are granted when wearing two or four pieces of a specific set. For instance, one set enhanced my survivability and sustenance, while another boosted my offensive capabilities on specific skills and weapons. Interestingly, there were sets focused primarily on swords and optimizing their use. Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that with just two pieces needed to activate a bonus, you have the flexibility to choose between a part set bonus (two pieces), full set bonus (four pieces), or even three sets of two-piece bonuses.

Furthermore, armor pieces will now feature stat bonus modifiers such as Grenade, Brawler, and Super, which can further alter your stats. Consequently, finding the perfect set that aligns with your preferences will be more intricate than ever.

In terms of navigation within Destiny 2, the new Portal feature offers a more streamlined approach to accessing missions, daily tasks, and other key aspects of the game. The Director remains in the game, but the Portal serves as a more invigorating entry point to the core elements. It encompasses various activity windows such as solo and team missions, PvP (Crucible), storylines, and more. What’s advantageous about the Portal is that it clearly indicates which activities offer challenges and bonus loot, allowing you to focus on content that offers the best rewards for your time invested. I’m pleased that the old Director still provides the galaxy map and options, but the Portal certainly makes gameplay management much more convenient, a change that was long overdue.

Long-awaited additions to the game are the difficulty settings and shooting range options. After much anticipation, a shooting range has finally been introduced in the Tower, allowing players to assess their weapon’s performance against different types of enemies and scenarios. In addition, there are Arms Week challenges tied to the shooting range, which offer exclusive weapons that can accommodate new Volatile Mods. These mods have impressive properties, such as causing small explosives to detonate when hitting an enemy with precision shots. However, be aware that the Volatile Mods only last during the Arms Week event, offering a fleeting chance for players to deal unprecedented damage.

With each new mission, you’ll find a variety of chances to try out your fresh gadgets and prove your worth using customizable mission settings. At the start of every mission, you can adjust the level of complexity by adding elements like absorbing extra damage or enemies advancing in rank when they eliminate members from your team. These settings also boost the multiplier for rewards and can make missions more lucrative if you’re ready to tackle the increased challenge. Essentially, you have the freedom to set the difficulty according to your preference, offering as much or as little challenge as desired, along with fitting rewards based on your chosen level of difficulty.

Fate calls to you

Throughout most of my playtime with Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate, I got the sense that this expansion serves as a crucial stepping stone for the game. Enhancements such as the introduction of the Portal, mission modifiers, and bonus armor sets, along with Arms Week Volatile Mods, make Destiny 2 more inviting to newcomers while still offering engaging challenges for veteran players. It feels like a fulfillment not just of ongoing narratives but also of long-awaited features. The new weapons are exciting, the new location is intriguing, and overall, The Edge of Fate seems like an excellent starting point if you’ve ever considered jumping into Destiny 2.

This sneak peek is derived from an initial PC version of the upcoming expansion, which was developed by them. The game titled “The Edge of Fate” is set to launch on July 15, 2025, and will be available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and personal computers.

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2025-06-03 19:28