Destiny 2
A free-to-play first-person shooter with MMO elements.
Destiny 2 is a free-to-play online first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie. The sequel to 2014's Destiny and its subsequent expansions, it was originally released as a paid title in 2017 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows before transitioning to a free-to-play live service game under the New Light title on October 1, 2019. The game concluded its first major narrative arc, the 'Light and Darkness' saga, with its eighth expansion, The Final Shape, in June 2024, and received its final content update, Monument of Triumph, in June 2026.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- BungieAdditional work on PC version was provided by Vicarious Visions. High Moon Studios provided development support on downloadable content.
- Publisher
- Activision (2017–2018) · Bungie (2019–present)
- Director
- Christopher Barrett · Luke Smith · Ryan Ellis · Joe Blackburn · Tyson Green
- Producer
- Jamie Carlisi
- Designer
- Del Chafe III · M.E. Chung · Tyson Green · Sage Merrill · Christopher Opdahl · James Tsai
- Artist
- Shiek Wang · Michael Zak
- Writer
- Jason Harris · Christine Thompson
- Composer
- Michael Salvatori · Skye Lewin · C Paul Johnson
- Series
- Destiny
- Platforms
- PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · Windows · Stadia · PlayStation 5 · Xbox Series X/S
- Released
- PlayStation 4, Xbox One · September 6, 2017 · Windows · October 24, 2017 · Stadia · November 19, 2019 · PS5, Xbox Series X/S · December 8, 2020
- Genre
- First-person shooter, MMOG
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Destiny 2 is set in a 'mythic science fiction' world and features a multiplayer 'shared-world' environment with role-playing elements. Activities are divided into player versus environment (PvE) and player versus player (PvP) types. PvE includes story missions, three-player strikes and dungeons, six-player raids, and a free roam patrol mode with public events. PvP offers objective-based modes and traditional deathmatch. Players assume the role of a Guardian, protectors of Earth's last safe city, wielding a power called Light to defend humanity from alien races and the Darkness; later, players also learn to wield the power of Darkness.
Reader's Guide
Destiny 2 received generally favorable reviews upon release, with praise for its improvements in story, gameplay, visuals, exploration, multiplayer, and public events. Reviews were divided on weapon recategorization, the Leviathan raid, and new modes. The game was nominated for and won various awards, including at The Game Awards 2017 and Game Critics Awards. Bungie supported the game with 10 expansion packs and smaller seasonal updates. Year Three marked the transition to a free-to-play model. Year Four introduced the Destiny Content Vault (DCV), which removed older content periodically, including the original 'Red War' campaign and first two expansions. The franchise concluded its 'Light and Darkness' saga with The Final Shape in June 2024. Year Eight began a new 'Fate' saga, but due to a financial loss for parent company Sony, Bungie cancelled the two expansions intended for Year Nine. The June 2026 Monument of Triumph update was the final content update; the game remains online and playable. All expansions and content were packaged into Destiny 2: The Collection.
Did You Know?
- Destiny 2 transitioned to a free-to-play model under the New Light title on October 1, 2019.
- The game features three character classes: Warlock, Hunter, and Titan, each with three sub-classes.
- The Destiny Content Vault (DCV) was introduced in Year Four, removing older content such as the 'Red War' campaign.
- The final content update, Monument of Triumph, was released in June 2026.
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