Review – Destiny 2: The Final Shape

“I was there for the start I have to be there for the end” these are the words I’m hearing form all my friends about the last Destiny 2 Expansion The Final Shape. Whether you have put it down or are still playing, the word on the street is Guardians are returning to save the galaxy one last time.

During the pandemic I spent a lot of time playing Destiny 2. We had lockdowns in Melbourne that lasted months on end, not being able to leave our houses. I put it down just after Shadow Keep was released and didn’t pick it back up until a week before the Final Shape dropped. The thing I found with Destiny and like most games that have constant updates, as new mechanics and ‘currencies’ are added the older ones just become obsolete. Destiny did something that a lot of people at the time were mad about, they started “sunsetting” weapons and quests to make room for others. Which essentially meant removing them from the game completely. I was worried picking it up after such a big break I would be completely lost.

There used to be a different currency for each planet, plus the Strike (PVE), Crucible (PVP), and Gambit (PVEVP) playlists all had their own currencies and tokens as well. Keeping track of all these different mechanics and trying to figure out what you needed for what is part of the reason I stopped playing.

The Final Shape has done away with a lot of this old “junk” and Bungie have created a very beginner friendly experience aimed at pulling in new players. Bungie have also done a great job at not dumbing it down for its existing players either.

I will keep this spoiler free in case you haven’t played Destiny at all. All the original story has been removed. You can read through the timeline of the first 3 expansions, play 1 mission from each of the expansions from Forsaken up to The Witch Queen then from there the stories are available but you will have to purchase the different DLC packs to access all the content.

First off, no matter whether you are a new or returning player all your gear including everything in your vault has been raised to power level 1900. Your power level is an average of all your gear score and stops you from attempting all the content straight off the bat. If your power level is too low no matter how good you are you won’t be able to do any damage and you die instantly. It won’t take long for you to be strong enough to attempt some of the harder content.

Destiny 2 has done away with seasons and replaced them with acts (more or less the same thing) that last for 6 weeks. Each act has different buffs and boons to mix up your playstyle and keep it fresh. This act is all about the new mods that come with the new Final Shape weapons and boosting the buffs. I have gone along the Dealer’s Choice path so far, getting kills with any weapon that has dealer’s choice speeds up my super recharge. The more weapons I have equipped with this mod the faster it recharges.

Upon loading in for the first time I was pulled into a cut scene and then a mission. I had no idea what story it was or even if it was the new content. It turns out you are pulled into the last DLC that has been installed. You don’t need to have played any of the other content or unlocked any of the ‘meta’ weapons as you are bombarded with new gear from the initial encounter. It turns out I was doing the Last Light DLC so after I had started up the Final Shape it was off to the races.

It was amazing opening up my friends list and seeing it alive after all these years and I had a blast jumping in and out of fireteams catching up with old friends. Destiny is made to play with friends. You can play it solo, but it can be challenging at times. Another amazing new feature is the Fireteam finder, its Destinys built in LFG (looking for game) You used to have to put posts on random forums if you were wanting to attempt a Raid (6 person end game dungeon) and didn’t have enough people, it was a nightmare.

I will only talk a little bit about the story. The Final Shape is big, it brings together everything that has happened over the past 7 years and smashes it right into your face. The battles are epic, the bosses are massive, the guns are amazing, and the new Subclass makes you feel unstoppable.

The new area “The Pale Heart” is vibrant and full of color, and in true Destiny style it holds many secrets to be uncovered.

If you are a new player now is the perfect time to jump into Destiny, even if you are a returning player there is so much to do.

Destiny 2’s PVEVP mode Gambit is a must try. During a match you must defeat enemies to collect “motes of light” and deposit them into your Vault. There is another team trying to do this at the same time. When you collect enough light, a Boss will spawn on the enemy’s side and they won’t be able to do anything until its defeated. Where the PVP comes into it, throughout the match a portal will open allowing one team member to invade your opponent’s match. If you manage to take out a few it will slow down their progress. It’s a lot of fun and its where I spend most of my time. I even have the Ministry of Silly Walks emote to show off with when we win.

I am thoroughly enjoying getting back into Destiny 2. I don’t think I’m going to do everything with all 3 characters this time. I’m going to stick with my trusty Warlock.

Destiny 2: The Final Shape expansion was reviewed on Xbox Series X

The Final Shape is available now on PlayStation 4/5, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S

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