Unlocking Destiny 2's Hidden Potential: Seasonal Story Changes that Spell Triumph

Highlights

Destiny 2's Lightfall expansion disappointed players with its flat narrative and wasted potential of certain characters like Rohan and Calus as a final campaign boss.

The Season of the Witch in Destiny 2 had a promising start but ultimately fell short in delivering the expected "show, don't tell" storytelling approach, similar to Lightfall.

Insufficient details provided in cutscenes, especially surrounding Savathun's resurrection and the interactions between characters such as Eris Morn and Ikora, result in an incomplete narrative that leaves players yearning for greater depth.

Destiny 2's Lightfall expansion received widespread criticism for its disappointing story. The main issue stemmed from the fact that every character seemed to know about the core mystery of The Veil's existence, while players were left completely unaware. This lack of knowledge caused the overall narrative to fall flat. Additionally, the Lightfall campaign suffered due to the underdeveloped character of Rohan, who did not receive enough screen time to appreciate his sacrifice. Furthermore, the potential of Calus as a final campaign boss felt wasted. However, there were some redeeming qualities in Lightfall, particularly in Season of the Deep, which included an important cutscene about the origins of The Witness in Destiny 2. Unfortunately, Season of the Witch, despite starting well with its darker Hive themes and focus on Eris Morn, failed to deliver on its promise of a compelling story. The main problem was the ending, as it did not live up to the expectation of "show, don't tell." This flaw echoed the issues present in Lightfall, indicating the weight that Bungie's new episodic model carries.

Destiny 2's Season of the Witch Should Have Had More Cutscenes

Lightfall's biggest mistake was assuming that the main character and players were already knowledgeable about The Veil. This assumption did not contribute much to the story, especially considering that a significant portion of the campaign focused on the powers of the Strand subclass. Similarly, in Destiny 2's Season of the Witch, the climax features a cutscene where Eris kills the newly-resurrected Savathun for revenge and gains power, while also affecting Xivu Arath before losing consciousness.

The actual conclusion is described in the seventh lore book of the seasonal story. It reveals that Immaru resurrects Savathun again, and she acknowledges Eris Morn for banishing Xivu Arath from her Throne World. This act makes Savathun mortal for the first time in millennia, a crucial detail that should have been included in the cutscene. Additionally, the lore book depicts an interaction between Savathun, Ikora, Eris Morn, and the Guardian. During this encounter, the Witch Queen claims to have already informed them about accessing the portal on The Traveler.

This remains a mystery for now, and it will likely be the central focus of Season 23 leading up to The Final Shape. However, it is disappointing that this crucial moment was not included in the same cutscene for clarity and to provide closure to the story. Adding to the frustration, the eighth lore book from Season of the Witch depicts an extraordinary encounter between Destiny 2's Saint-14 and Savathun, followed by an emotional interaction between the Titan and his lover, Osiris. All of this would have been even more impactful if it were presented as a cutscene.

Considering that many players do not extensively delve into lore books, showcasing the interaction between Saint and Savathun, where the former repeatedly kills the latter and then reveals that it was not for Osiris but for himself, would have been a truly poignant scene in the game. Moreover, the scene concludes with Saint returning home to Osiris, embracing him, and shedding tears in his arms. It showcases the profound bond between them and emphasizes that Destiny 2's The Final Shape must deliver a comprehensive experience, including telling a story that does not overlook such crucial moments.

Destiny 2 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.