Get ready, Guardians! Bungie has just unveiled an exciting lineup for the sci-fi shooter Destiny 2, dubbed the "Year of Prophecy." This year promises four major content updates, split between two paid expansions and two free updates, ensuring a thrilling experience for both paying and free-to-play players.
Kicking off the Year of Prophecy is "Rite of the Nine," a free update available to all players. This update offers a fresh take on dungeon diving, suitable for both seasoned and new players. The dungeons—Prophecy, Spire of the Watcher, and Ghosts of the Deep—will feature unique twists and opportunities to reconnect with Orin, along with refreshed dungeon weapons.
Mark your calendars for July 15, when the new expansion, "Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate," launches. This paid expansion marks the beginning of a multiyear saga centered around the enigmatic Nine. You'll encounter new characters, Lodi and Ikora, and explore the new destination, Kepler. This location is inspired by the puzzle-solving and exploration elements of Destiny 2's dungeons, promising new enemies, weapons, gear, and destination-specific abilities.
Alongside the expansion, major core game updates will introduce revised armor and gear systems for enhanced buildcrafting opportunities. A new activity selection screen, the Portal, will allow players to choose between Fireteam Ops, Pinnacle Ops, Crucible Ops, and the newly introduced Solo Ops. These options cater to various play styles, from quick fireteam action to solo sessions, with 50 new modifiers for deeper gameplay customization.
Pre-order bonuses for "The Edge of Fate" include an instantly unlockable Exotic Ghost and Legendary Emblem. For those looking for even more, the "Year of Prophecy Edition" and "Year of Prophecy Ultimate Edition" offer additional content, such as extra campaigns, raids, dungeons, and exclusive items. The Ultimate Edition even includes the instant unlock of the Exotic Sniper Rifle, New Land Beyond, and a plethora of other rewards.
While the physical Collector's Edition has sold out, digital pre-orders are still available, ensuring you don't miss out on the Year of Prophecy's offerings.
Following "The Edge of Fate," the "Ash & Iron" update arrives on September 9, with the second expansion, "Renegades," launching on December 2. "Renegades" draws inspiration from the legendary Star Wars universe, blending Destiny's unique storytelling and gameplay with iconic sci-fi elements. The year concludes with the "Shadow & Order" update on March 3.
These updates come at a crucial time for Bungie, following significant layoffs in July 2024, which affected 17% of its workforce. Despite these challenges, the Year of Prophecy promises to deliver a robust and engaging experience for Destiny 2 players.
While Destiny 2 remains a focal point, Bungie is also working on the reboot of the classic franchise, Marathon. Revealed in May 2023, the first hands-on preview of Marathon's alpha state has been promising, hinting at a satisfying PvP experience set to launch on PC and consoles in September.
