Summary
Destiny 2’s Final Shape expansion is just around the corner, marking what is supposedly the conclusion of a decade-long story that began withDestinyin 2014. It’s almost universally known how much is riding on this expansion, asDestiny 2has gone through its fair share of ups and downs for the last few years and needs a massive revival. That being said, the recentInto the Light updatesaw a wave of players coming back to the game for some time, and with the release of The Final Shape looming just ahead, the game’s player count has only increased as committed Guardians prepare themselves for every change the expansion will bring to the game.
Beginning with The Final Shape,Destiny 2will be exchanging its current seasonal model for what it is calling “episodes.” Every episode will introduce a new story arc toDestiny 2, with each one consisting of three six-week-long acts. It hasn’t yet been confirmed what the story will be for each episode, though the official roadmap seems to indicate the first will involve the Vex, the second, the Scorn, and the third, the Hive. While it will be interesting to see whatDestiny 2does with episodes that it hasn’t already done with seasons, what is arguably more important is how it plans to set up each forthcoming episode. This is also something it will need to consider in the first week of The Final Shape, even though the focus will primarily be on the Witness.
Destiny 2 Needs Seemless Transitions Between Its Episodes After The Final Shape
Destiny 2: The Final Shape Can’t Neglect Introducing the First Episode
Without a doubt, the highlight ofDestiny 2’s Final Shape expansionwill be taking down the Witness and bringing an end to the Light and Darkness Saga once and for all. Even so, with the MMO’s new episodic format beginning just a week after The Final Shape launches,Destiny 2will want to ensure it doesn’t neglect setting up the first episode at the same time that players are focused on pursuing and defeating the Witness. If the first episode does center around the Vex, the new threat should be introduced alongside The Final Shape’s main story to make the transition between it and the first episode as seamless as possible.
Each Destiny 2 Episode Should Set Up the Next
Destiny 2will only have one week to set up the first episode after the release of The Final Shape, so it could potentially be chaotic to have multiple storylines happening simultaneously — especially withThe Final Shape’s raidlaunching just a few days after the expansion is released. Still, it would be better than dropping players into a brand-new story during the second week of The Final Shape without any buildup to it. To prevent this from happening in the future, there is a way each ofDestiny 2’s episodes can set up the next and avoid choppy transitions.
Aseach episode inDestiny 2consists of three acts, the third act of every episode shouldn’t neglect setting up the next. Yes, there will be the matter of tying up any loose ends in whatever episode is currently happening, but the next story should at least be introduced in the final weeks of each episode’s third act. Creating this seamless transition between episodes will allow for a much more cohesive narrative than even the seasonal model has been able to maintain, while also creating enough anticipation for each impending episode to keep players invested.
It’s currently unclear just how differentDestiny 2’s new episodic formatwill be from its tired seasonal model, but what is clear is that the longstanding MMO has a chance to do something unique. Rather than giving players a bunch of different story arcs with distance between them, Bungie could let them blend together with each one introducing the next, beginning with The Final Shape.
Destiny 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Dive into the world of Destiny 2 to explore the mysteries of the solar system and experience responsive first-person shooter combat. Unlock powerful elemental abilities and collect unique gear to customize your Guardian’s look and playstyle. Enjoy Destiny 2’s cinematic story, challenging co-op missions, and a variety of PvP modes alone or with friends. Download for free today and write your legend in the stars.An Immersive StoryYou are a Guardian, defender of the Last City of humanity in a solar system under siege by infamous villains. Look to the stars and stand against the darkness. Your legend begins now.Guardian ClassesChoose from the armored Titan, mystic Warlock, or swift Hunter.
