The latest Destiny 2 expansion from Bungie, Renegades, is full of buzz and it’s not all good. The game’s initial Star Wars-themed crossover has now only 40 days left for players to express their excitement or doubts about the game’s future.
The countdown has been started by the official Destiny 2 Twitter account, which posted an image that is very sleek and undoubtedly has a Star Wars feel to it. Hype is present with the hashtags too, but if you look into the replies, you will discover a community that is… let’s just put it this way, they have experienced the negative side of the game before and they are very outspoken about it.
A very straightforward individual referred to it as “two dying franchises and modern day jokes trying to prop each other up.” Ouch. That’s really mean, still, it can be considered a sign of the growing pessimism in the comments section. Another player forecasted “record-low sales and engagement for Day-1 expansion,” which, if it happens, would be a big blow for Bungie.
Conversely, there are some players who maintain an optimistic view. One of them tweeted, “Can’t wait to get my saber,” and he was very ecstatic. It is likely that a weapon which resembles a lightsaber will be introduced in the expansion. This is the kind of crossover content that can really make the game if it’s done well.
Bugs have become a significant issue and it seems to be a major one. Numerous comments point to the previous failings during launches, and one player said he would “not literally touch this for a month after launch” because he wanted to avoid another “bad release.” Another one jokingly said that “all the day-one bugs” would result in the game being unplayable for the first few days, and honestly, it is not even that funny when you consider it has happened before.
Destiny 2 is at a fork in the road with Renegades being seen as a pivotal moment. One user made it very clear: “This is destiny 2’s last chance.” The user further elaborated that if this expansion fails, then it’s time for Destiny 3. Another user interestingly refuted that contention fast, stating that no one would want a sequel from the same makers who are “screwing up a game rn.”
Simultaneously, the pricing model has been a significant dilemma. A commenter expressed her appreciation for the Star Wars elements but also admitted that she was “tired of” the constant monetization. Gamers are caught in that typical live-service quandary—what’s the limit when players feel they are being bled dry through microtransactions?
The split within the community is the most captivating point in this whole issue. While some are saying they will not be getting this “first dlc for destiny I’m not buying,” there are others who are countering the negativity. “Speak for yourself I’m totally excited and ready,” a defender spoke up for the skeptics.
The Star Wars angle seems to be a bit of a risk. Some gamers are obviously eager about the possibility while others, however, don’t see the point of going for this when there are already Star Wars games available. “There are already many Star Wars games out there,” a comment brings our attention to the fact that players might be better off with those than “another lackluster, rushed and buggy content” from the developers.
And then the timing issue arises—the 40 days might seem like a long time, but one user noted that there is “so much work to do before then,” implying that the current state of the game might not be prepared for what is being planned.
The whole scenario indicates that Destiny 2 is about to make a character-defining choice. The excitement for lightsabers shows that gamers still want to trust and the thrill of lightsabers indeed shows that they still want to trust. But the gamers have been let down too many times and so they are being extra cautious. The community seems to have run out of steam and it is Renegades that will perhaps decide whether they stick with Destiny 2 or not.
Bungie is going to have a hard time with this one. They have to ensure that the quality is not only a fun Star Wars crossover but also a smooth experience that would address the players’ long-standing issues with the game and also win them over. Otherwise, those comments about “last nail in the coffin” may become more prophetic than what anyone would like to admit.
The wait is only 40 days and then we will know the fate. Will it be the revival that Destiny 2 has been longing for or just another chapter of the game’s problems? The guardians are watching—and they are not shy about dishing out their opinions on the matter. Meanwhile, PlayStation and Xbox players continue to debate the state of live service games across platforms.
