Review: Destiny 2: Forsaken

The cycle of Destiny whiplash continues with Destiny 2: Shadowkeep. Like during the Destiny 1 era, we started with a lackluster opening, then got two awful expansions, got our significant overhaul, and now we're at the stopgap. Much like Rise of Iron , it's hard to shake the feeling that Bungie is just buying time until the inevitable next entry in the franchise. In this case, Destiny 2: Shadowkeep feels like Bungie is slow-walking to Destiny 3. The campaign ends up going nowhere, ending in an unsatisfying cliffhanger we likely won't see resolved for a while. Meanwhile, as great as the Moon is compared to its incarnation in the first game, there's no getting around the fact that we've already seen and paid for this before. The core gameplay is still the star of the show, the Moon is a fun place to play around in, the Strikes are imaginative and the new Seasonal Activity is a standout. But you can access all that without owning Shadowkeep (though the Seasonal Activity does require you to own the Season Pass). Destiny 2: Shadowkeep isn't bad, but it also feels wholly unnecessary when most of its selling points (Strikes, the Moon, Armor 2.0) can be played without owning it. This is one nightmare we didn't need to have.


There has been some speculation about the details of Exodus: Evacuation. As it wasn’t available until recently, fans have datamined information to get a general understanding of the quest and what tasks will need to be completed. Now, players have been able to experience the quest first-hand. It focuses on the same four planets. Players will have to complete four quests for each of the leaders on the planets. They won’t visit the planets in the same order they hade before. Players will have to speak to Commander Zavala again to access this qu

Likewise, it’s nice that we finally got a new race of enemies to battle. The Scorn may have some relation to the Fallen, but they look and fight differently. The Scorn brings enemies that rush the player, swing fire-infused maces, attack mid-range and snipe from a distance. They’re not wholly unique from the current crop of enemies, but they provide a good change in pace.

Gambit is an excellent game mode when working with a functional team. It provides plenty of tension and excitement as both teams race to the finish and pulse-pounding action during an invasion. Like all team-based modes, Gambit is best when played with a group of friends. A team that fails to work together will quickly lose. Considering Gambit is a best of five game mode, keeping a solid squad together is vital.


Javelin-4 is definitely among the favorites of Destiny 2 builds 2 players. This map has a bit of everything like Altar of Flame, with roughly three different locations through which players can push depending on their play style. The indoor area has a ton of cover and the middle zone is the perfect spot for both close to long-range may


Go to Titan to speak with Commander Sloane. Sloane has some tasks that will need completed before leaving as well. Complete her quests: Clearing the Decks, Asset Interception, Be the Wall, and The Will of a Titan. Players can speak with Commander Sloane again to turn in the quests. She will reward the player with the Duty Bound Auto Rifle. Players will need to speak Zavala again to continue the quest. He will give the player the Masterworked Mindbender’s Ambition Shotgun.

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Outside of the new story, locations, enemies and Gambit, most of Forsaken’s changes lie in its quality-of-life improvements. From the addition of in-game lore to random rolls for weapons and gear to an in-game accomplishment tracker, Bungie has done an excellent job bringing back popular features they nixed when jumping from Destiny to Destiny 2. The good news is that all players can enjoy these improvements whether or not they own Forsaken.

Since the release of Destiny 2, monetization has been a thorn in all player's sides. Though Bungie tweaked it to be fairer, players still resented the idea that Bungie was selling a $49.99 Season Pass with microtransactions on top of it all while asking players to pay up front to get the game. Anyone hoping things would get better after Bungie's split from Activision isn't going to be happy to hear what's happening in Shadowkeep.


Go to Mercury and talk with Brother Vance again. He will have tasks for the players to complete as well. Complete his four quests: A Shattered Future, In His Footsteps, A Disciple’s Plea, and Better Days Ahead. Turn in the quest to receive the D.F.A Hand Cannon and head to Mars.




Cirrus Plaza has one central location that's more open, but the rest of the map is all about very tight corners that favor fast-paced run and gun-style gameplay. Definitely get a shotgun or an SMG out for this map, and keep an eye on the corners. Given that shotguns and hand cannons have often been among players' favorites, it could be that this map becomes one of the more loved ones in the g