The latest chapter of Destiny 2, marked by the June release of the Edge of Fate expansion, has not unfolded as Bungie had envisioned. While anticipation for a revitalized Destiny experience following the Light and Dark saga was palpable, the reality has left many players, myself included, feeling somewhat disenchanted. Despite my enduring affection for Destiny 2 as my preferred shooter over the past four to five years, the arrival of Edge of Fate has seen a significant exodus from the game.
However, the introduction of a Star Wars-themed expansion, Destiny 2 Renegades, appears to have rekindled some interest. The launch day saw a notable spike in player numbers on Steam, accompanied by commendations for various elements of the new campaign. Yet, this resurgence still falls short of the heights Destiny 2 aspires to reach.
Innovative Storytelling Approach
Renegades distinguishes itself from typical Star Wars crossovers found in other multiplayer titles. Rather than featuring iconic characters like Darth Vader as dungeon bosses, Bungie has opted to weave a canonical Destiny 2 narrative infused with the essence of the Star Wars universe. Players can expect lightsaber-themed weapons, armor sets, and adversaries that echo the aesthetic of the beloved franchise, alongside a new Cantina-inspired social hub. This creative direction feels appropriate, as it preserves the rich lore and world-building of Destiny while offering Star Wars enthusiasts a delightful nod.
Since the launch of Renegades on December 2, there have been encouraging signs. After experiencing a concerning decline in player counts during October and November, the new expansion has prompted a resurgence. On its debut day, a peak of 71,278 concurrent players was recorded, marking the highest engagement since early August.
Nevertheless, this figure remains below the peak of over 100,000 players achieved by Edge of Fate earlier this year and slightly trails behind the player counts from Episodes 2 and 3 of last year’s expansion cycle. In comparison to the Witch Queen, Lightfall, and The Final Shape expansions, which all surpassed 290,000 players, Renegades still has a considerable distance to cover.
Player feedback on Renegades has been mixed, with both commendations and criticisms emerging. While I have yet to delve deeply into the expansion, early impressions highlight praise for the new buildcrafting features, the narrative quality, and the cinematic cutscenes. Although it may not be hailed as a groundbreaking addition, it seems to strike a satisfying balance between the Star Wars and Destiny universes.
However, this positive reception is not mirrored in its Steam user score, which currently sits at a modest 59%, categorized as ‘mixed.’ Some complaints regarding microtransactions and perceptions of Bungie’s reliance on the Star Wars theme have surfaced, but many of the more thoughtful reviews lean towards the favorable side.
While it is comforting to see that Renegades is not a complete failure—an outcome that would have diminished my remaining hope for Destiny 2—it does not yet feel like a significant revitalization. Should player peaks around 70,000 persist in the coming weeks, I may find myself reassessing this outlook. However, historical trends suggest a likely decline. Regardless, this moment offers a chance for me to reconnect with what remains, at its core, my favorite shooter.
