Gameplay
Gameplay will be similar to that of the original Destiny, which was described as a first-person shooter that incorporates role-playing and massively multiplayer online game (MMO) elements.[3] The original Destiny included on-the-fly matchmaking that allowed players to communicate only with other players with whom they were "matched" by the game. To communicate with other players in the game world, players had to use their respective console's messaging system.[3] Destiny 2 will feature a more optimal way of matchmaking called "Guided Games", which will allow players to search for clans who may need additional players for activities, such as strikes or raids. Like the original, activities in Destiny 2 will be divided among player versus environment (PvE) and player versus player (PvP) game types.[4]
Character progression and classes[edit]
As in the original game, players will be able to improve their characters, referred to as Guardians, by gaining experience points (EXP) — when a set number of experience points are accumulated, the player's character will "level up" and gain improved statistics which further enhance performance in battle. Quests, including the "main scenario" quest line, are specific tasks given to the player by non-player characters (NPCs) which reward items and EXP. Completing main scenario quests progresses the overarching plot of the game.
Destiny 2 will feature the same three character classes of the original Destiny; no new classes will be added. Each class has their own specific upgrades, perks, special abilities, and two sub-classes that allow players to finely tune their individual characters to provide a different play style. After choosing a class, players select one of three species for their character: Human, Awoken (bluish-gray-skinned descendants of Humans), or Exo (humanoid machines). They can then customize their character, such as changing its gender or skin color. A character's species is only cosmetic and does not affect gameplay. Players can create two more characters to have a character of each class.[4][5]
- Hunters will continue to have access to the Solar-based "Gunslinger" sub-class of the original, along with its "Golden Gun" super, with some subtle changes. The Hunter's new sub-class for Destiny 2 is the Arc-based "Arcstrider", replacing the "Bladedancer" sub-class of the original. Arcstrider will have a super that focuses on an electrified staff and a large amount of rapid mobility.[5]
- Warlocks will continue to have access to the Void-based "Voidwalker" sub-class from the original, along with its "Nova Bomb" super, with several changes. The Warlock's new sub-class for Destiny 2 is the Solar-based "Dawnblade" with a super called "Daybreak", replacing the "Sunsinger" sub-class of the original. The Daybreak super allows the player to make Solar Light blades to strike enemies from mid-air, similar to the Titan's "Sunbreaker" sub-class of the original with its "Hammer of Sol" super.[5]
- Titans will continue to have access to the Arc-based "Striker" sub-class and its "Fists of Havoc" super of the original, with some noticeable gameplay changes. The Titan's new sub-class for Destiny 2 is the Void-based "Sentinel", replacing the "Defender" sub-class of the original. Sentinel's super will allow the player to summon a shield that can block enemy fire and be used offensively, similar to Captain America's shield.[5]
Weapons and armor will be reorganized in Destiny 2. In the original game, weapons were divided as Primary, Special, and Heavy weapons. In Destiny 2, the weapons will be categorized as Kinetic, Energy, and Power weapons. Weapons classified as Primary and some Special weapons in the original - such as hand cannons and sidearms - will be classified as Kinetic and Energy weapons. Those without an elemental damage type go in the Kinetic weapons slot while those with an elemental damage type (Arc, Solar, or Void) go in the Energy weapons slot. Power weapons include the Heavy weapons and Special weapons from the first game, such as shotguns, as well as new weapon types, such as the grenade launcher. With armor, the name of the stats have been changed. Instead of Strength, Intellect, and Discipline, there will be stats for Armor, Recovery, and Agility.[6]
Player versus environment (PvE)[edit]
Like the original, player versus environment game types will make up the majority of the game. New areas to explore will be added, including Saturn's moon Titan, Jupiter's moon Io, the planet Nessus, and Earth's European Dead Zone (which was only a PvP map in the original). There will also be a new social space in the European Dead Zone, called 'The Farm', as the Tower of the original has been destroyed. Like the original, there will be Patrol missions, but emphasis has been placed more on exploration of the worlds, including towns that players can visit and friendly NPCs who can be found in-game and will give side-quest-like missions, called 'Adventures', where the player can explore the area and go on a treasure hunt-like journey to dungeon-like Lost Sectors, which are somewhat hidden areas in worlds that will lead players to a boss, in which they will be able to kill and take the boss's loot. A map will also be added to the game, which will show the locations of some NPCs, Patrol beacons, and Lost Sectors. The maps of these new areas are much larger than those in the original Destiny, with one being described as twice as large as any area of the original. Players will no longer have to leave a planet and go to orbit to travel to another location; they can now do so immediately from their current in-game location.[4][6]
Player versus player (PvP)[edit]
Like the original, player versus player combat will exist in what is called the Crucible. The original Destiny's Crucible featured six-versus-six and three-versus-three game modes, as well as a limited time two-versus-two mode. In Destiny 2, all game modes will be four-versus-four as Bungie has shifted their focus to smaller teams for competitive multiplayer and better map design. Game modes of the original Destiny will either be modified to the new player count or not return at all. The in-game HUD will also be updated so that players can see if an enemy has their super charged or has heavy ammo. One new mode has been announced for Crucible called "Countdown".[4][7] Countdown was described as "an asymmetric objective mode where [players] have to plant a bomb in the enemy base and then defend it until it explodes." One team attempts to plant bombs at designated locations, while the other team defends those locations to prevent bombs from being planted. If the opposing team plants a bomb, they must defend it until it explodes, while the other team attempts to defuse it. If the original defending team kills all players on the offensive team, the round is over, similar to the 'Search and Destroy' game modes from other first-person shooters as well as Counter Strike.[8]
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