In the months leading up to the launch ofDestiny 2’sShadowkeepexpansion, Bungie talked about changing up the structure of of the online multiplayer FPS. Specifically, game director Luke Smith talked about leaning further intoDestiny 2being an “evolving world.” In other words, having theDestiny 2experience being an ever-changing game world where the story and content move forward month to month. WithShadowkeep’s launched, manyDestiny 2fans are only just realizing how literal Bungie was being.
In one of the top posts onDestiny 2’s subreddit, user friendlyelites says “ShadowkeepDoesn’t Have a Real Campaign.” They expound in the body of the post, saying “The campaign forShadowkeepis NOT A CAMPAIGN. It is an introduction to the story that is going to develop over this next year. If the ending felt abrupt to you that’s because IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE.” But as empathetic as friendlyelites is, other posters in the thread, frustrated withShadowkeep’s launch, aren’t quite so understanding.
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The top post in the thread discusses how, while they’re okay with theShadowkeepcampaignbeing an introduction, it’s still frustrating due to how abrupt the currently available story is. User Spreckinzedick explains how the current story is “a bit jarring” and that, while they give the story so far a “9/10” rating they still have issues. Namely, thatDestiny 2does “jump cuts at pivotal story moments.” The abrupt ending apparently left them with “trust issues” going intoShadowkeep’s future.
User Jaseg777 offers further perspective onShadowkeep’s existing story. “Being an MMO doesn’t mean that the story … should feel disjointed,” they start, before explaining howShadowkeep’s story struggles in its first chapter. Jaseg argues that while the story doesn’t have to resolve itself, that it’s okay to leave unanswered questions and set up the next chapter, it should also feel “fully formed on its own.“Shadowkeep, they say, doesn’t manage this.
Others in the thread are much terser in their response, some saying it feels unfinished, others saying that it’s overall bad writing. Needless to say, it seems manyDestiny 2playershave an issue withShadowkeep’s story.
The heart of the discussion really comes down to confusion over what Bungie is doing inDestiny 2, going forward. It’s unclear whether story, and specifically campaign missions, are even a priority for the team anymore. If it is, then Bungie may want to explain howShadowkeep’s storywill unfold over the coming months to put some of the backlash to rest. Bungie doesn’t have to go into excruciating detail, but players do deserve to know what to expect. And right now players very clearly don’t.
Destiny 2is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One, with a Stadia version also in development.
