It seems like a David and Goliath situation. On one hand, you have Destiny 2, a massive, ever-evolving looter-shooter with years of content and a dedicated fanbase. On the other, Destiny Rising, a mobile game attempting to capture the magic of Destiny on a smaller scale. You wouldn’t expect the latter to have much to teach the former, right? Well, after spending some time with the Destiny Rising alpha, I was surprised to find several features that could actually improve the Destiny 2 experience.
Streamlining the Grind: Destiny Rising’s “Auto-Equip” Feature
One thing that constantly nags at Destiny 2 players is inventory management. Shuffling weapons and armor between characters, comparing stats, and trying to optimize builds can be a real chore. Destiny Rising offers an elegant solution: an “auto-equip” feature that automatically equips the highest-power gear available. While this might seem simplistic for Destiny 2’s intricate build-crafting, a modified version could be a welcome addition. Imagine a system that auto-equips your highest Power level gear in a specific slot or for a certain activity. This would be a huge time saver, especially for casual players.
Brevity is the Soul of Wit: Concise Mission Briefings
Destiny 2 often suffers from lengthy, exposition-heavy mission introductions. While the lore and storytelling are important, sometimes you just want to get to the action. Destiny Rising, by necessity, keeps its mission briefings short and to the point. This approach could benefit Destiny 2, particularly in activities like seasonal story missions or Strikes. A “skippable” cutscene option or a more concise pre-mission summary would be appreciated by many.
AI Companions: Filling the Gaps
One of the biggest hurdles in Destiny 2 is finding a fireteam for certain activities. Destiny Rising incorporates AI companions to fill those gaps. While I wouldn’t expect Bungie to populate raids with bots, having AI companions for less demanding activities like Lost Sectors or even some Strikes could be a game-changer for solo players.
Xur’s Game: A Roguelite Twist
Destiny Rising features a unique game mode offered by Xur, where players progress through increasingly difficult rounds of combat, collecting modifier cards that alter gameplay. It’s essentially a mini roguelite experience within the Destiny universe. This kind of innovative activity could inject fresh excitement into Destiny 2. Imagine a weekly rotating activity with roguelite elements, offering unique rewards and challenges.
Beyond the Obvious: Smaller Touches
There are other smaller details where Destiny Rising shines. For example, its weapon upgrade system is more streamlined than Destiny 2’s, and its UI is surprisingly clean and intuitive for a mobile title. While these might not be direct transplants, they highlight areas where Destiny 2 could benefit from some refinement.
My Take:
As a long-time Destiny 2 player, I’m always eager to see how the game can improve. While Destiny Rising might seem like an unlikely source of inspiration, it offers some genuinely good ideas. It’s a reminder that innovation can come from anywhere, and even a massive game like Destiny 2 can learn a thing or two from a newcomer.
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