Destiny 2

82%
Game Brain Score Based on 74,274 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • grinding
Destiny 2 Game Cover
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"Destiny 2" is a free-to-play first-person shooter where players explore the solar system as a Guardian, defending humanity and uncovering ancient secrets. The current Season of the Deep invites players to dive into Titan's ocean and discover hidden treasures. With a variety of PvE and PvP modes, customizable gear, and an immersive cinematic story, join the fight and make your mark in the stars. The Solstice event offers limited-time summer-themed rewards and activities.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 74,274 reviews
story2,718 positive mentions
grinding2,938 negative mentions
  • story9,615 mentions

    The story of Destiny 2 has evolved significantly over the years, with many players praising its rich lore and character development, particularly in expansions like "Witch Queen." However, the game's narrative has been criticized for being convoluted and difficult to follow, especially for new players, due to the removal of substantial content and campaigns, which has left many feeling lost and disconnected from the overarching plot. The seasonal model, while providing ongoing story content, often results in fragmented storytelling that can feel repetitive and lacks depth, leading to mixed feelings about the game's narrative quality.

    • “The narrative is rich and engaging, with an expansive lore that invites deep exploration.”
    • “The ongoing seasonal story arcs keep the game fresh, while the diverse cast of characters and epic quests make each mission memorable.”
    • “The story has been amazing and the final chapter is going to be amazing.”
    • “The story of the game is a jumbled mess with writing ranging from good to incoherent depending on the player sentiment before it released and the need of Bungie to make a good story or just a good profit.”
    • “The new player experience is absolutely abhorrent with most of the game's story being removed from the game, no real understanding given to you about who people are, what things are, why anything matters, or what is happening at all.”
    • “The story has fallen stagnant and doesn't give the player a reason for why they are killing stuff.”
  • gameplay3,956 mentions

    The gameplay of Destiny 2 is widely praised for its fluid mechanics, satisfying gunplay, and engaging combat systems, making it one of the best in the looter-shooter genre. However, many players express frustration with the repetitive nature of the gameplay loop, which often involves grinding similar activities for loot, and the lack of clear guidance for new players regarding mechanics and systems. While the game offers a wealth of content and cooperative experiences, the monetization practices and seasonal model have led to concerns about accessibility and player retention.

    • “Gameplay: the mechanics are fluid, intuitive, and incredibly satisfying.”
    • “In summary, Destiny 2 is a masterful blend of engaging gameplay, rich storytelling, and stunning visuals.”
    • “The gameplay loop of shooting and using space magic to kill aliens is extremely fun, and the raids (6-man activity) and dungeons are generally very well done.”
    • “The gameplay loop, however, can be repetitive, as you have to do the same activities several dozen times each for each season, both for story quest progression, achievements, and loot.”
    • “The gameplay is dull and repetitive.”
    • “The gameplay just barely makes up for the absolutely disgusting way this game is monetized.”
  • grinding2,986 mentions

    The grinding aspect of Destiny 2 is a significant point of contention among players, with many describing it as both a core feature and a source of frustration. While some players enjoy the extensive grinding for gear, weapons, and seasonal rewards, often finding it rewarding and engaging, others feel it becomes tedious and repetitive, especially when much of the content feels recycled or when hard-earned items are rendered obsolete with new updates. Overall, the game is characterized as a grind-heavy experience that can be enjoyable with friends but may deter those who prefer a more casual or story-driven gameplay style.

    • “The game itself is extremely enjoyable, but for me what kills it is the monetization method: expensive expansions that make all the older content obsolescent and season passes that make you a slave to the grinding... I would love to see a model closer to Elder Scrolls Online where the expansions feel like additions and not replacements.”
    • “Great stories and plot, endless quests to do, challenging bosses, not too grindy, lots of lore!”
    • “Game is good, not too grindy, but there are good grinds to do if you enjoy that stuff.”
    • “All armor in the game is barely worth grinding for, and all the cool armor is found in the Eververse shop for real money.”
    • “Help, I've been grinding for 10 years and they keep adding more content.”
    • “The game is fundamentally a grind-fest, not to mention the numerous arbitrary limitations on resources and currencies to make that grind as painful and tedious as possible.”
  • graphics1,544 mentions

    Destiny 2 is widely praised for its stunning graphics and immersive visual design, with many players noting the game's breathtaking environments, detailed character models, and vibrant aesthetics. While some reviews mention that the graphics may not be cutting-edge compared to newer titles, they still hold up remarkably well for a game of its age, providing a visually captivating experience. Overall, the game's art direction and graphical fidelity contribute significantly to its appeal, making it a standout in the looter-shooter genre.

    • “Destiny 2 is a visual masterpiece.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, with detailed environments, impressive character designs, and breathtaking vistas.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, the gameplay is smooth, and the missions are nice.”
    • “However, the shine is somewhat dulled by the occasional graphical inconsistencies and aging elements that become more apparent over time.”
    • “Not to mention, we need a serious update on the graphics to match up with 2023 standards of gaming.”
    • “The graphics are outdated with textures worse than most indie games; I'm no stickler for them, but when your game is subpar, at least have good graphics.”
  • monetization712 mentions

    The monetization model of Destiny 2 has drawn widespread criticism for being excessively aggressive and predatory, with many players feeling that it prioritizes profit over gameplay quality. The game features a complex array of microtransactions, including a cash shop for cosmetics, expensive DLCs, and seasonal passes, leading to a perception of it being a cash grab. New players often find the pricing structure confusing and overwhelming, with the total cost to access all content potentially exceeding $200, which has deterred many from engaging with the game.

    • “The transition to a free-to-play model, coupled with the introduction of seasonal content and microtransactions, has occasionally led to a sense of imbalance and frustration among players.”
    • “While the gameplay of Destiny is solid, Bungie's greed and over-monetization have ultimately pushed me away, as no matter how fun and addicting the gunplay is, it still doesn't justify the absurd lengths Bungie has gone to just to take a few more bucks out of your wallet.”
    • “Despite a shady history of monetization and grindy quests that can put even WoW to shame, this game keeps me coming back.”
    • “Destiny 2 is a monetization scheme packaged in a game with all creativity and passion stripped by poor management and greed.”
    • “I've been wanting to get my best friend into this game, but looking at the price just to get into the game makes it really difficult to want to. All past DLCs cost more than an entirely new AAA deluxe edition title. To have everything before Lightfall, it costs about $130, and if you include Lightfall, dungeon keys (which should be free), and the current season, it would be $210. A new player can easily accidentally drop $260; that's a straight-up scam. This monetization should be straight-up illegal.”
    • “This game has become nothing but a lazy cash grab; they aren't even making an effort anymore.”
  • music619 mentions

    The music in Destiny 2 is widely praised as one of the game's standout features, with many reviewers highlighting its orchestral quality and emotional impact. However, the recent layoffs of key composers, including Michael Salvatori, have raised concerns about the future of the game's soundtrack. Despite these changes, the existing music continues to resonate with players, enhancing the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience.

    • “Destiny 2's music is a symphonic masterpiece that elevates every moment of the game.”
    • “The music is, far and away, the best and most consistent part of this game.”
    • “The soundtrack is exceptional -- each expansion continues to push the composers to get better.”
    • “After years it is still the same old song and dance, I come back expecting something to change but the game never feels like it's good because something is always missing or not done properly.”
    • “The recent layoffs being one of the worst with firing some very talented people including Halo's original soundtrack composer Michael Salvatori, the man who has been responsible for some of the greatest music in this game.”
    • “I can no longer listen to the Gambit soundtrack without getting PTSD.”
  • stability276 mentions

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with players reporting frequent crashes, persistent bugs, and connection issues that have plagued the experience for years. Many users express frustration over the lack of timely fixes for game-breaking glitches, while some note that the game can be enjoyable when it runs smoothly. Overall, the consensus is that the game suffers from significant stability problems that detract from its potential enjoyment.

    • “Well after this many hours and about 200 hours when it was on Blizzard, I have to say I recommend this game due to the fact it runs great and just feels great. Probably the best feeling FPS I've played if you count how well I find it runs.”
    • “Highly optimized for PC, runs great!”
    • “It feels great, it shoots great, it runs great on PC.”
    • “I have never seen a game so riddled with bugs, glitches, and connection issues--some that persist for years--that it needs frequent patches and downtime to fix.”
    • “The game has been an unplayable buggy mess for the last couple of years, the API is constantly down, the tower takes forever to load and crashes a lot, and certain weapons/armor/mods/abilities are disabled randomly due to game-breaking bugs.”
    • “It's a buggy, unstable mess filled with cheaters.”
  • optimization274 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and graphical quality, particularly on PC, while others criticize ongoing issues such as stuttering, lag, and declining performance over time. Many users note that despite the game's potential and past optimization successes, recent updates have led to significant performance problems, especially in PvP modes, indicating a need for better resource management and communication from the developers. Overall, while the game is well-optimized for many systems, persistent issues and inconsistencies remain a concern for the player base.

    • “This game offers a lot, and the offerings are polished and well optimized.”
    • “The game is very well optimized and runs beautifully.”
    • “With tight gunplay, smooth controls, excellent optimization, and remarkable visuals, the game never ceases to surprise with yet another great vista, or yet another challenging conflict.”
    • “Bungie needs the independence and performance they once had, or else I doubt we'll see a successful Destiny 3.”
    • “Half the expansions I paid for vanished into the void because the developers cannot fathom space optimization and are working with a jenga tower of spaghetti code where fixing one thing breaks twenty different things.”
    • “Game optimization has become horrible.”
  • humor243 mentions

    The humor in the game is often described as a mix of absurdity and frustration, with players finding joy in the chaotic gameplay and quirky character interactions, especially when playing with friends. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to create memorable, funny moments, despite its grindy nature and occasional bugs. However, some players express that the humor has diminished over time, particularly with changes in content and character dynamics, leading to a love-hate relationship with the game's comedic elements.

    • “If you're looking for an extremely grindy and hilarious adventure with your friends, I highly recommend playing this game.”
    • “Buckle up, fellow guardians, because Destiny 2 is about to take you on a wild, space-faring adventure that's as funny as your dad's questionable jokes at a family gathering.”
    • “You'll be laughing nonstop as you pop the heads off of tens of thousands of alien bastards, and you'll love every second of it.”
    • “Bro, it's not funny anymore; you all can stop almost killing the game.”
    • “I've missed so many barrel-stuffing shotgun shots, it's not funny.”
    • “However, after just a month of playing the game, I found that PvP content was an overly unbalanced, infuriatingly unfunny joke, and post-campaign PvE content was quicker to dry out than the Sahara.”
  • replayability171 mentions

    The replayability of the game is a mixed bag, with many players praising its endless activities, loot grinding, and cooperative gameplay, making it highly enjoyable with friends. However, some criticize the repetitive nature of content and the removal of older missions, which diminishes long-term engagement for certain players. Overall, while the game offers significant replay value through various modes and updates, its appeal can vary greatly depending on individual playstyles and preferences.

    • “Endless replayability.”
    • “The combinations of armor, weapons, and powers you can come up with make it really replayable and fun with friends.”
    • “Great game with fantastic replayability grind aspect.”
    • “I'll keep it brief; the quality of content is uninspired, disposable, and lacks any meaningful replayability (4 of the 5 yearly paid releases are deleted), the game itself has been technically degrading to the point of frequent server outages and countless glitches, and the developers literally do not care to make it any better.”
    • “There is nothing this game really brings to the table besides microtransactions and extremely low to no replayability because everything is the same over and over and over... but hey, they added fishing.”
    • “I can attribute my lack of interest to the removal of old content and the battle pass seasonal story missions, removing replayable content to be replaced with a new, fear of missing out style of story missions where if you don't pay for the season pass and actively play every week you are missing out on the 'new' story content, which by the way is a single short story mission paired with playing whatever weekly arena or event there is available at minimum 3 times.”
  • emotional162 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with players experiencing a wide range of feelings from deep attachment to characters and heart-wrenching storylines to frustration over repetitive content and perceived neglect from the developers. While some expansions, like Forsaken and The Final Shape, are praised for their emotional depth and impactful narratives, many players express disappointment with the overall direction of the franchise, feeling emotionally drained or betrayed by the game's evolution. Ultimately, the game elicits strong emotional responses, both positive and negative, making it an emotional roller coaster for its dedicated player base.

    • “The depth of the characters, the intrigue of the plot, and the emotional weight of the story kept me on the edge of my seat.”
    • “The story of Destiny 2: Lightfall is engaging and emotional, as it explores the themes of sacrifice, redemption, and destiny.”
    • “This game is an emotional roller coaster having some of the highest highs and lowest lows in gaming.”
    • “Extremely short and boring story even for Destiny standards, accompanied by broken mechanics ranging from enemies not spawning to basic elevators/manlifts not working.”
    • “Bungie isn't doing anything different or innovative; we are forever getting recycled content and boring storylines.”
    • “What started as a good game with a good story and interesting characters evolved over the years into a bad game with boring characters and a boring story.”
  • atmosphere119 mentions

    The atmosphere in Destiny 2 is widely praised for its captivating environments, rich lore, and outstanding soundtrack, which together create an immersive experience that keeps players engaged. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke strong emotional connections through its art style and music, making exploration and combat feel both exhilarating and meaningful. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics and optimization, the overall aesthetic and thematic depth of the game are considered exceptional, contributing to its status as a standout title in the FPS genre.

    • “Whether you're exploring the mysterious depths of the Pyramidion or facing down a formidable raid boss, the music never fails to enhance the atmosphere and your emotional connection to the game.”
    • “The atmosphere is engaging and awe-inspiring, the combat is fun, fast-paced, and engaging, and the opportunity to sweat with your friends in raids, nightfalls, and PvP while also allowing for some laid-back experiences makes Destiny 2 one of the best games of the decade.”
    • “The atmosphere, the art style, and the amazing gunplay continue to tightly grip my interest.”
    • “The core mechanics of this game are fantastic, and the lore of this game is great even though sometimes the cutscenes can ruin the atmosphere the game creates with corny acting.”
    • “The recent layoffs and corporate atmosphere of 'leadership before all else' has put Bungie in an irredeemable position.”
    • “From January to March, the atmosphere of the game brush becomes heavier and heavier, while the interesting experience is less and less.”
  • character development40 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising emotionally charged moments, particularly in the Forsaken DLC, while others criticize the overall lack of depth and reliance on text-based lore for significant character arcs. Many feel that beloved characters have been reduced to caricatures, and the narrative often fails to deliver compelling storylines or character growth, leaving players wanting more from the in-game experience. Despite stunning visuals and engaging gameplay, the consensus is that character development is a weak point, with many recommending alternative sources for richer storytelling.

    • “Forsaken is an emotionally charged DLC that is a catalyst for your guardian's character development.”
    • “8 years of building up an overarching narrative, all the background information, trials and tribulations, character development, relationships.”
    • “Great storyline and great character developments.”
    • “There is no real character development anymore.”
    • “Character development is almost nonexistent, and the once iconic personalities of beloved characters have been reduced to mere caricatures of their former selves.”
    • “Too many narrative loopholes were left in place in Lightfall, the character development was abysmal and the new characters just came off as one-dimensional.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Destiny 2

Play time

523hMedian play time
884hAverage play time
12hMain story
154hCompletionist
80-1500hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 353 analyzed playthroughs

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