The Force is Strong... or is it Just a Bit Wobbly? Destiny 2's Renegades Gets a Proper Peek.
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Bungie's next Destiny 2 expansion, `Renegades`, is taking a surprisingly direct Star Wars-inspired turn, complete with lightsabers, new co-op modes, and a Mos Eisley-esque social hub, set to launch December 2nd; I'm curious but cautiously skeptical if this galactic gamble will hit the mark.
Right, so gather 'round, mates, because I've been tinkering with this story all morning, and bloody hell, it’s wilder than it first appeared. Bungie, bless their cotton socks, just ripped the covers off their next big Destiny 2 expansion, `Renegades`, and fair dinkum, it’s a bit of a head-scratcher. Why? Because it’s gone full-blown Star Wars, apparently in a proper collaboration with Lucasfilm. You know that feeling when you cast a spell and it works a bit too well, transforming something into… well, something else entirely? That's the vibe I'm getting here.
Now, for those of you who've been living under a rock (or just patiently waiting for The Final Shape, eh?), `Renegades` isn't some quiet seasonal update. Nah, this is a *proper* expansion, and we finally got a decent look-in during a livestream today. And the big news? It’s dropping on **December 2nd**. Mark your calendars, or don't, depending on how you reckon this galactic gambit will play out.
First off, the actual 'Destiny' bits, the meat and potatoes for us Guardians. We're getting a new co-op game mode called the `Lawless Frontier`. Sounds like a right old dust-up, doesn't it? You'll be taking on tough missions, building up reputation – classic MMO stuff, but with a presumably Star Wars-y twist. And what do you get for your trouble? New `Renegade` abilities. We’re talking airstrikes, turrets (always handy, those), and a bike. Not just any bike, mind you, but a *fancy sci-fi bike*. Now, I'm always up for new ways to blow stuff up, and a bike that isn't just a sparrow reskin could be a genuine hoot.
Then there’s the social hub, `Tharsis Outpost`. And if you’ve ever watched a Star Wars film (and if you haven’t, mate, what have you been doing with your life?), you’ll immediately clock that it’s directly inspired by Mos Eisley Cantina. You know, the one where they play that catchy, slightly annoying tune, and everyone’s got a bad feeling about something. A new social space is always a good shout, especially if it brings some much-needed atmosphere and character. Lord knows a good social hub can make or break a game’s community vibe.
But let’s get to the elephant in the room – or perhaps, the not-AT-ST-Walker in the room. The Star Wars influence. The original article, over at **Rock Paper Shotgun** (big thanks to Oisin Kuhnke for the initial scoop, go check out the full piece if you fancy, it's a good 'un), put it perfectly: it’s a “weird thing to look at.” You’ve got those classic pew-pew gun sounds, the sort that's been etched into our collective consciousness since we were knee-high to a Jawa. And lightsabers! Yes, lightsabers, somehow mixed with Destiny enemies that 'sort of look like they could be from Star Wars.'
This is where my gently skeptical wizard brain starts to fizz. It’s like Bungie spritzed some Star Wars perfume, waited too long before walking into it, and now the scent is there, but it feels... a bit pointless? Is it enough of a Star Wars infusion to truly capture that magic, or is it just a thin veneer over the familiar Destiny chassis? The line between loving homage and slightly awkward fan-fiction is a fine one, and Bungie's walking it like a tightrope walker after a few too many blue milk cocktails.
My core curiosity here is about the *why*. Why this particular fusion? Is it an audacious play to pull in Star Wars fans who've never touched a Ghost? Or a desperate bid to re-energise the existing Destiny 2 player base, which, let's be honest, has had its ups and downs with content droughts and, dare I say it, a bit of live-service fatigue? Bungie's had a bit of a bumpy road lately, and a massive expansion like this really needs to hit it out of the park.
From a player's perspective, new abilities and a fresh co-op mode are always welcome. But will the Star Wars elements feel genuinely integrated, like a proper, lore-friendly crossover? Or will it feel like a fancy costume party that's fun for a bit but ultimately a bit hollow? The success of such a dramatic tonal shift rests on how well Bungie manages to blend these two beloved universes without diluting either. It’s a bit like trying to merge a wizard’s spellbook with a Jedi’s holocron – potentially epic, potentially a chaotic mess of mixed signals.
I’m eternally sceptical of live-service games at the best of times, mainly because they’re constantly chasing that engagement dragon. But there’s a sliver of optimistic chaos in me that wonders if this wild, almost-Star-Wars gamble could pay off. Imagine pulling off a perfectly synchronised airstrike with your fancy new bike, all while someone's pew-pewing in the background and you're wielding a lightsaber. Sounds pretty cool, doesn't it? The potential for some genuinely unique and fun gameplay moments is definitely there.
So, with Destiny 2: `Renegades` hitting on December 2nd, we don't have all that long to wait to find out if this is a groundbreaking collaboration or just a bit of a wobbly experiment. My gut says it'll be… interesting, at the very least. Let's see if Bungie can truly wield the Force, or if they'll just accidentally blast their own foot with a misfired blaster.
Tags: Destiny 2, Bungie, Star Wars, Gaming News, Live Service Games
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun