Destiny 2's Renegades Expansion: Is Bungie About to Unleash the Force (and a Bunch of Blasters)?
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Bungie's latest Destiny 2 expansion, *Renegades*, is embracing a *Star Wars*-inspired theme with a LucasFilm Games collaboration, bringing blasters, criminal underworlds, and new chaotic abilities to the game, all while the community watches with cautious optimism following recent studio changes.
Right, so Bungie just dropped a massive info dump on us, and I've been tinkering with this story all morning. Fair dinkum, it's wilder than it first appeared, especially if you've got a soft spot for cosmic cowboy shenanigans and laser guns. We're talking about the upcoming *Renegades* expansion for *Destiny 2*, and apparently, it's taking a page straight out of the *Star Wars* playbook. You know that feeling when you cast a spell and it works a bit too well? That's what Bungie might just be doing here by teaming up with LucasFilm Games.
Original article details sourced from Game Rant.
First off, before we dive into the big galactic heist, Bungie pushed out the *Ash & Iron* mid-season update. Think of it as a little warm-up ritual before the main event. It brought new content and changes, including the return of the Plaguelands – remember those delightful fungal nightmares? Inside this revamped space, we've got a new three-player activity called 'Reclaim.' It's pitched as narrative-focused and objective-based, letting Guardians earn rewards while battling enemies and, naturally, the clock. Now, 'narrative-focused' always piques my interest, but 'objective-based' can sometimes just mean 'go here, shoot that, repeat.' So, naturally, I'm curious: is it a genuine new twist, or just a familiar loop dressed up in fresh threads? Let's hope for the former, eh?
But let's be honest, mate, the real chatter from the livestream event revolved around the *Renegades* expansion itself, slated to land on December 2. And this is where things get properly interesting, because Bungie isn't just taking 'inspiration' from *Star Wars*; they've actually collaborated with LucasFilm Games. That's a crossover I didn't see coming, like finding a lost spellbook written in a language you somehow instinctively understand. This collaboration means they've had access to *Star Wars*-inspired sounds, themes, gear, and weapons. Now *that's* how you get my attention. My inner digital wizard is already wondering what kind of arcane code-weaving went into making this happen.
The story itself sounds like a proper space opera subplot. We're apparently infiltrating a criminal underworld (because where else would you go in a universe full of literal gods?) to save The Drifter, who's managed to land himself in a spot of bother. Classic Drifter, always flirting with danger. New 'Syndicate factions' will pop up, offering jobs to players – essentially new replayable activities within a new location called the Lawless Frontier. And here's where the *Star Wars* vibes hit hard: this frontier takes cues from iconic locations like Hoth and Tatooine. I'm imagining dusty canyons, icy wastes, and maybe even a cantina or two where you can get a dodgy drink. Will these 'replayable activities' offer genuine variety, or will it be the same old song and dance with different backdrops? That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? My gentle skepticism demands to know.
Then there's the Tharsis Outpost on Mars, a brand-new social hub. This is where the criminal leaders apparently congregate, and it's touted as a 'great place to build one's notoriety.' Now, social hubs are always a bit of a mixed bag. Sometimes they're bustling melting pots of activity; other times, they're ghost towns after the first week. And 'building notoriety'? My ears perked up. Does this mean a meaningful reputation system with actual consequences and unique rewards, or just another progress bar to fill? This could be genuinely innovative, tying into player choices and a sense of progression beyond just light levels. Fingers crossed it's the former, because a proper criminal underworld where your actions have weight? Yes, please.
And of course, it wouldn't be a *Destiny 2* expansion without a heap of new gear to chase. This time, Bungie is introducing a brand-new weapon archetype: the Blaster. I reckon this is the bit that'll get most Guardians giddy. Clearly inspired by classic *Star Wars* guns like Han Solo's DL-44, these weapons even come with those iconic blaster sound effects. Imagine the mayhem! Alongside that, we're getting 'renegade abilities,' which sound like pure, unadulterated chaos, in the best possible way. Guardians will be able to do things like call in Cabal Walkers (yes, *Cabal Walkers*!) and air strikes. That's not just a new ability, that's practically blowing a hole through reality and pulling in extra firepower. Sounds absolutely brilliant for shaking up encounters and embracing a bit of that optimistic chaos I love so much.
Now, *Renegades* is still a few months off, but there's a palpable sense of hope among players. You see, there have been quite a few changes at Bungie recently, including a shift in leadership. Many felt that previous reward changes were a solid first step, and the community is cautiously optimistic that these numerous internal shifts will lead to a better end product. It's a classic tale, isn't it? A big studio making bold moves, after perhaps a few missteps, and players hoping for that genuine turnaround. My clever observation instincts tell me that this collaboration, coupled with internal changes, could be Bungie's way of really trying to inject fresh life and genuine player-centric improvements. We'll have to wait and see if their spellcasting hits the mark, but for now, I'm certainly intrigued to see if this alliance with the Force brings balance to the *Destiny 2* universe.
Tags: Destiny 2, Gaming News, Expansion, Bungie, Star Wars
Original article: Game Rant