Why Destiny 2's The Final Shape: The Game-Changing Subclass You Can't Miss!
Destiny 2's The Final Shape expansion presents an intriguing debate on whether to introduce a new Darkness subclass While some argue it adds familiarity, emphasizing a compelling story should take priority over subclass additions in order to deliver a truly immersive experience
Highlights
Destiny 2's last week of Season of the Deep redeemed the disappointing Lightfall expansion with new lore drops on Neomuna and The Veil.
Expected in February, The Final Shape expansion must meet high expectations following the disappointing reception of Lightfall. However, instead of solely introducing a new Darkness subclass, prioritizing the delivery of a compelling story may be a wiser decision for Bungie. Additionally, saving the introduction of a new subclass for the next saga could offer players a sense of familiarity when they come back to the game.
Destiny 2's Season of the Deep is entering its final week, marking a significant improvement from the disappointing launch of the Lightfall expansion. The introduction of new lore drops has finally shed light on the story of Neomuna and The Veil. With the negative reception of Lightfall in mind, all attention now turns to The Final Shape expansion, expected to arrive in late February of the following year. The Final Shape needs to meet the high expectations placed upon it. While the addition of the Strand subclass in Lightfall was well-received, it is arguable whether Destiny 2's The Final Shape should introduce another subclass alongside it.
Including new subclasses in the game greatly enhances buildcrafting and adds diversity to the gameplay experience. The Strand subclass in Destiny 2, with its exceptional traversal abilities and suspend powers, exemplifies this. Moreover, subclasses unlock unique builds utilizing the game's vast array of weapons. New guns are crafted specifically to complement the themes and abilities of different subclasses, such as The Navigator Exotic trace rifle. Despite the potential benefits of introducing a new Darkness subclass in Destiny 2, there are compelling reasons for Bungie to refrain from doing so at this time.
Destiny 2's The Final Shape Should Deliver a Good Story More Than a Subclass
Lightfall's story in Destiny 2 fell short of expectations primarily because a significant portion of it focused on unlocking the powers of Strand, at the expense of the highly anticipated "beginning of the end" leading to The Final Shape. In contrast, Destiny 2's Witch Queen campaign, similar to Forsaken, was widely regarded as one of the best and successfully delved into the mysteries surrounding Savathun and the Hive's manipulation of the Light. It managed to answer some questions while leaving others unresolved.
It is worth noting that The Witch Queen did not introduce an entirely new subclass. Instead, Bungie chose to revamp existing Light subclasses to match the new model introduced in Beyond Light's Stasis. This involved more changes from a sandbox perspective rather than altering animations, as many assets were already present. Additionally, the introduction of a completely new damage type in weapons was not necessary.
Considering that The Final Shape aims to effectively conclude Destiny 2's Light and Darkness saga, it may be prudent to prioritize the narrative and storytelling aspects rather than diverting resources to buildcrafting tools at this stage.
Destiny 2's Next Saga Could Use a Darkness Subclass to Stay Grounded in Familiarity
The Final Shape must not only deliver an impressive experience, but also leave a lasting impact on players by introducing new concepts and gameplay mechanics for future engagement. Neglecting to complete the Darkness subclass trifecta in The Final Shape would leave room for potential future developments in Destiny 2 post-Light and Darkness saga, potentially offering new narratives connected to the original 10-year saga.
Bungie has several unresolved storylines, such as The Nine and the mysterious past of the Drifter. The prophesied death of the Guardian, Saint-14, in a future hinted at in Season of Dawn, also remains a compelling storyline. It would be logical for Destiny 2's future stories to build upon the foundation established by The Final Shape, utilizing a new subclass in the next expansion that remains relevant to the overarching Light and Darkness narrative. This would be a fitting tribute to the game's significant era.
Destiny 2 is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
