Summary
Destiny 2’s The Final Shape managed to go above and beyond players' expectations in terms of narrative, gameplay, and overall design, and it led the charge to the game’s renaissance after a not-so-great year after Lightfall. With all eyes on Echoes Act 2 and beyond,Destiny 2’s new episodic model has to succeed in many big ways - namely, it has to live up to the expectations players have after The Final Shape, and this means good content and constant content flow. Both of these feats are not easily accomplished, and withDestiny 2’s Echoes sparking multiple controversiesalready, Revenant and Heresy have a huge weight on their shoulders.
One of the biggest complaints about Echoes is thatDestiny 2started time-gating content even more than the seasonal model ever did, with each act having three weeks' worth of missions to play, and then weapons and Season Pass levels unlocking with each act. Bungie is seemingly listening to all feedback from players, to the point thatDestiny 2is buffing Titans soon and Prismatic Hunter is being nerfed in terms of PvP efficiency, and now a new change is planned for Episode 2 - Revenant. In fact, Bungie intends to make all missions available on release for each act, giving players freedom in how they choose to tackle content.
The Argument For Destiny 2 to Release Story Missions With Each Episode 2 Act
Destiny 2 is Making Big Changes to Its Narrative Episodic Model
There is no clear right or wrong path with the release of episodic content just yet, as Bungie is experimenting with a few possible solutions to make the game as enjoyable as possible. The same holds true for making all missions available from the get-go as each act is unlocked, rather than having them released on a weekly basis. This wasDestiny 2’s narrative modelwhen the game first came out, and like back then, there are pros and cons to this.
The main benefit of having all act-related story missions available immediately is that players have free rein on how they want to tackle them - be it completing them as soon as possible or taking them on slowly in order not to drain the content well too soon. On one hand, this is a good way to addressDestiny 2’s FOMO problem(the fear of missing out) because it’s up to players to decide what they want to do with it and when they want to play each mission, but it can also foster FOMO in another way.
Why Destiny 2 Might Shoot Itself In The Foot By Releasing All Story Missions At Once
Destiny 2’s New Narrative Approach For Episode 2 Revenant Could Backfire
For example,Destiny 2’s Exotic mission for Echoesis set to be one of the biggest Bungie has ever done, but it’s rumored to come out in Act 3 - meaning players won’t be able to play it until at least August 27, but more likely weeks later. Without the current structure for weekly story missions, such an Exotic quest would drop immediately alongside Act 3, but it may still require players to complete a couple of weeks' worth of missions before it’s even available. As such, one can decide to play at their own leisure, but if an Exotic is meta or build-defining, it may be worth it to speed up the process and complete all missions on launch.
This is still FOMO, but a different kind of it. Furthermore, it has happened in the past that by having all seasonal content available on launch, the game would dry up for weeks or months, with little incentive to keep playing. This could be a problem ifDestiny 2’s Episodes 2 and 3want to retain players beyond the story missions and have them return as frequently as possible. As it stands, Bungie’s decision could very well do good and make for a great change to the current model - but it has equal chances of backfiring.
Destiny 2
WHERE TO PLAY
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 StoryYou 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 ClassesChoose from the armored Titan, mystic Warlock, or swift Hunter.
