By Melissa Vach
Destiny 2 has taken the Destiny universe’s story and gameplay to new heights, but what can players expect from the game that started it all?
Returning to the original Destiny after not playing it since Destiny 2's 2017 release can be a bittersweet experience for longtime players. While some Guardians never migrated to the new installment after The Taken King,most continued with the story and likely never looked back. Losing the majority of its player base has had predictable consequences for Destiny, but it has also, ironically, put the spotlight on single-player experiences.
For those who haven't jumped into Destiny yet, the biggest question may be if the original is worth exploring in light of the gameplay changes and story progression of Destiny 2. Certainly, while popular game mode Gambit is currently struggling and some new weapons need a bit of work, Destiny 2's story may be at its highest point right now with the release of the well-received expansion,The Witch Queen.
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The backbone of the Destiny experience is its multiplayer engagement. Players are meant to interact with others out in the game world, whether through Public Events in the wilds or through Raids that are designed for Fireteams of six players. Jumping into Destiny now, in 2022, is like returning home after years away only to discover that while the place is the same, everyone else has moved away. It's a shock to see other Guardians roaming planets at the same time, and the tapered bustle of the Tower consequently makes it feel much more like Earth's Last City than ever before.
As such, players are likely to be stuck in long wait times to enter Strikes, which generally turn into solo excursions that might as well be Nightfalls for the average or inexperienced player. If someone wants to experience the full grandeur of Destiny multiplayer, which can certainly still exist, they will need to group up with other Guardians using outside apps or message boards. Destiny still has a dedicated player base who love the game, but it will take effort to find companions instead of relying on the game for matchmaking.
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The reduced presence of other players means that some of the most important story and gameplay content will be missed, but it's not all doom and gloom for the Guardians' origin story. Many players have approached Destiny from a single-player point-of-view since the beginning, so in that respect, there's no major loss except, for example, when the final stages of a storyline's progress require the completion of a Strike. Players can still play through the original Destiny and its expansions, and while the world is a bit emptier, The Taken King remains one of the best expansions in the series to date.
Destiny may seem like a shadow of what it once was, but the first game still offers a worthwhile story and fun gameplay experience for those who put in the effort. The story of Destiny 1 and2 is massive, and playing through the original expansions can provide both a refresher and a new look at what might come next. Ultimately, if Guardians plan on jumping into Destiny 1 in 2022, they'd best do so with the expectation of single-player experiences. Story notwithstanding, the gameplay differences between Destiny 1 and 2 are significant enough that those returning after a time away may even find it refreshing.
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