Launch Day Larry
Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate is here, and it’s like a buffet where the chef forgot to label the dishes. Some players are savoring the new flavors, while others are left with a bad taste in their mouths. Let’s dive into this expansion and see if it’s a feast or a famine.
Destiny 2’s latest expansion brings a mixed bag of gameplay changes that are as divisive as pineapple on pizza. The Armor 3.0 rework is a hit, making the game more accessible for newcomers. The level design and mechanics are engaging, with the rework of levels and armor being particularly impressive. However, the gameplay loop feels like a never-ending treadmill, and not the fun kind you find in a gym with a TV.
The introduction of the Portal mechanic is like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole—it’s a good idea, but the execution leaves much to be desired. The new NPC chat feature feels like it was borrowed from a mobile game, and not in a good way. Meanwhile, the matterspark form, despite its initial appeal, quickly becomes a source of frustration. It’s like trying to control a hyperactive toddler in a candy store, with sensitivity issues and camera problems adding to the chaos.
The expansion’s focus on parkour and puzzle-solving over traditional gunplay might appeal to some, but for others, it’s like being handed a Rubik’s Cube when you just wanted to shoot some aliens. The campaign’s design is unnecessarily long, with maze-like content that requires excessive backtracking. It’s as if the developers took a page from the book of CONTROL, but forgot to include the fun parts.
Visually, The Edge of Fate is a bit like a Monet painting—beautiful from a distance, but up close, you start to notice the smudges. The desaturated Director menu and the new portal UI are about as appealing as a soggy sandwich. The weapon UI changes have left players scratching their heads, wondering where all the important details went.
Lighting issues and visual bugs are as common as pigeons in a park, causing eye strain and detracting from the overall experience. The graphics and textures have taken a hit, with low-resolution visuals that make you wonder if someone forgot to pay the HD bill. The camera issues during matterspark mode are particularly jarring, making navigation feel like trying to drive a car with a blindfold on.
Despite these issues, the cinematics and cutscenes are a saving grace, offering full ultrawide support and a glimpse of what could have been a visually stunning expansion. However, the reuse of assets from previous locations leaves the overall visual experience feeling a bit stale.
The story of The Edge of Fate is like a soap opera—full of drama, but not always coherent. While some players appreciate the focus on character relationships and the setup for future developments, others find the narrative as clear as mud. The pacing is off, with long stretches without dialogue that make it hard to stay engaged.
The introduction of a new saga and an entertaining cast are highlights, but the story’s execution leaves much to be desired. Important narrative elements are tucked away in side quests, leading to a disjointed experience. It’s like trying to piece together a puzzle with half the pieces missing.
The involvement of “the nine” adds a layer of intrigue, but the story’s complexity and lack of coherence make it a tough sell for some players. Characters like LODI, with their constant complaints, don’t help matters, and the overuse of gameplay mechanics detracts from the narrative experience.
Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate is a mixed bag of innovative ideas and frustrating execution. While there are moments of brilliance, particularly in the cinematics and character relationships, the overall experience is marred by repetitive gameplay, visual issues, and a convoluted story. It’s a game with potential, but one that needs a bit more polish to truly shine.
Score: 5.5/10