Bungie Announces “Destiny 2: The Final Shape” Expansion and Ushers in “Season of the Witch”
Today, at the Destiny 2 Showcase event, Bungie provided fans a closer look at its next expansion, Destiny 2: The Final Shape, set to release on February 27, 2024. This much-anticipated expansion heralds the end of the iconic “Light and Darkness Saga”, with Bungie offering a plethora of gameplay and narrative details that encompass the year ahead for the game.
Destiny 2: The Final Shape Highlights
In this new expansion, Guardians brace themselves to face their most formidable adversary – The Witness. Teaming up with Vanguard luminaries like Ikora Rey, Commander Zavala, and the enigmatic Cayde-6, players will traverse into the Traveler’s heart, reviving the Vanguard and concluding the ongoing War of Light and Darkness. The story arc will unravel through the campaign and extend into a new raid, set to launch in March 2024.
Competition heats up with the World First Race coinciding with the raid’s launch. Fireteams globally will vie to secure the title as the inaugural six-Guardian team to conquer the new raid.
A novel exploration awaits Guardians as they venture into The Pale Heart inside the Traveler. Imprinted by The Witness and drawing from the Guardians’ legacy, this evolving linear destination promises nostalgic trips, including a rendition of the classic Tower from the first Destiny game.
Enhancing the gaming experience, The Final Shape will introduce three new Super abilities and Aspects designed for collaborative gameplay. A new weapon subfamily is also on the horizon, with the likes of the Rocket Pistol Sidearm and Support Frame Auto Rifle that grants both offense and healing capabilities. Legacy weapons make a comeback, and players can anticipate a fresh Exotic Fusion Rifle, to name a few.
The expansion also introduces a formidable enemy type – the Subjugators, armed with Stasis and Strand powers, adding a strategic dimension to the battlefield.
Season of the Witch Debuts
Launching today is the Season of the Witch, where players unite with long-time ally Eris Morn to harness arcane Hive magic, tracing the path of The Witness into the Traveler.
Features and Episodes Ahead
Beyond the expansion, Bungie unveiled an upgraded Power system set to streamline gameplay across different Power levels. The Fireteam Finder feature, scheduled for November 2023, aims to enhance player collaborations. PvP will also see an overhaul with new map additions, game modes, and the Checkmate modifier.
In a moving tribute, the Showcase event began with a moment of silence for Lance Reddick, renowned for his portrayal of Zavala. With Keith David stepping into Zavala’s shoes and Nathan Fillion reprising his role as Cayde-6, the saga continues.
Bungie also introduced its revamped content format, Episodes, which replace the existing seasonal model. These Episodes will offer standalone stories in three Acts, with the initial Episode, Echoes, slated for March 2024.
Pre-Order Details
Destiny 2: The Final Shape is available for pre-order in three editions:
- Standard Edition
- New Campaign, Raid, Episode: Echoes, Exotic Ghost, and Expansion Emblem.
- + Annual Pass Edition
- All features of the Standard Edition, three episodes, Tessellation Exotic Fusion Rifle, The Final Shape Dungeon Key, Exotic Sparrow, Secret Stash, among others.
- Collector’s Edition
- All the offerings of the + Annual Pass Edition, replica of the original Destiny Tower, Vanguard mentor figurines, mission dossier, autograph book, and the original soundtrack.
Destiny 2 enthusiasts can look forward to a year brimming with narrative depth, gameplay innovation, and thrilling confrontations. The stage is set for February 27, 2024.