Destiny 2 post-release content

*Destiny 2* is a 2017 multiplayer-only free-to-play action role-playing first person shooter video game developed by Bungie. Since its original release in September 2017, *Destiny 2* is supported by Bungie with multiple expansion packs and updates as part of its **post-release content** roadmap, with each major expansion since 2018's *Forsaken* signifying the launch of a new year for the game's story and in-game events.

As of February 2023, Bungie released a total of seven expansions for *Destiny 2*: *Curse of Osiris* (2017), *Warmind* (2018), *Forsaken* (2018), *Shadowkeep* (2019), *Beyond Light* (2020), *The Witch Queen* (2022) and *Lightfall* (2023); these will be followed by an eighth expansion, *The Final Shape* (2024).

Originally released and sold as a retail, fully-priced title, *Destiny 2* became free-to-play in October 2019. The game's change in format and increasing file size led to several changes in *Destiny 2*, including the discontinuation of much of the game's content from its first three years on the market, a process Bungie refers to as "sunsetting". Removed content in *Destiny 2* moves into the Destiny Content Vault ("DCV"), which as of February 2022 houses the original game's campaign, called "the Red War", alongside *Curse of Osiris*, *Warmind* and *Forsaken*. In August 2022, Bungie announced that they would not sunset any more expansions.

## Year 1 Expansion Pass

### *Curse of Osiris*

***Destiny 2: Curse of Osiris*** was the first expansion pack released for *Destiny 2*. It was released for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on December 5, 2017.

Set in the aftermath of the base game's campaign, "the Red War", *Curse of Osiris* follows the search for the eponymous Warlock, whose Ghost is found by the Guardians; the players are tasked with travelling to Mercury. *Curse of Osiris* adds new quests and gameplay elements to the base game, as well as a new feature called "Raid Lair".

*Curse of the Osiris* received generally mixed reviews, with some considering it among the weakest expansion packs released for the franchise. Reviews criticized the shallow amount and quality of content and the new story campaign, though some praised the addition of Raid Lair and the concept of the Infinite Forest.

### *Warmind*

***Destiny 2: Warmind*** was the second expansion pack released for *Destiny 2*. It was released for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on May 8, 2018.

Following the events of *Curse of Osiris*, *Warmind* sees the Guardians returning to Mars - originally featured in the first game - and teaming up with non-player character Ana Bray to pursue remnants of the Red Legions and protect Rasputin, the titular Warmind - a military artificial intelligence. In addition to several gameplay updates and additions, *Warmind* adds a new mode called "Escalation Protocol".

*Warmind* received mixed reviews, though several reviews cited it as an improvement over *Curse of Osiris*. It was criticized for its quest design, short length and lack of notable additions, though the Escalation Protocol was praised.

## Major expansions

### *Forsaken*

***Destiny 2: Forsaken*** is the third expansion pack released for *Destiny 2*. It was originally released for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on September 4, 2018.

Upon release, *Forsaken* received generally positive reviews. Considered a notable improvement over its predecessors, *Forsaken* was praised for its writing, the Dreaming City setting, Gambit mode, boss designs and balancing additions to the overall game, though several reviews criticized spikes in level requirements and gear grinding.

### *Shadowkeep*

***Destiny 2: Shadowkeep*** is the forth expansion pack released for *Destiny 2*. It was originally released for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on October 1, 2019.

Upon release, *Shadowkeep* received mixed to positive reviews. It was praised for its art direction, gameplay additions and its set-up for future content, but criticized for its reused setting, lacking loot and story campaign, which was seen as a step backwards from *Forsaken*.

### *Beyond Light*

***Destiny 2: Beyond Light*** is the fifth expansion pack released for *Destiny 2*. It was originally released for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia and PC on November 19, 2020.

Upon release, *Beyond Light* received mixed to positive reviews. Its release drew varying reactions on Bungie's decision to sunset past content of *Destiny 2*, and several reviews noted that the new content and gameplay additions for *Beyond Light* did not make up for the vaulted content. Nonetheless, critics praised elements of *Beyond Light*, including its narrative, the setting of Europa, and inclusion of the stasis abilities.

### *The Witch Queen*

***Destiny 2: The Witch Queen*** is the sixth expansion pack released for *Destiny 2*. It was originally released for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia and PC on February 22, 2022. It was the final expansion to launch on the Stadia prior to its discontinuation in January 2023.

Upon release, *The Witch Queen* received highly positive reviews. It was praised for its art direction, narrative, quest design, settings and challenging encounters; numerous outlets regarded it as the best expansion in the *Destiny* franchise since 2015's *The Taken King*. It was also commerically successful, with Bungie reporting over 1 million pre-orders prior to its release.

### *Lightfall*

*Main article: Destiny 2: Lightfall*
***Destiny 2: Lightfall*** is the eighth expansion pack released for *Destiny 2*. It was originally released for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC on February 28, 2023.

Highly anticipated prior to its release, *Lightfall* received generally mixed reviews from gaming publications. Significant criticism was aimed at the narrative and the design of the campaign, with reviews citing those elements as disappointing in comparison to *The Witch Queen*, and in contrast to the expansion's marketing. The art direction, setting and Strand subclass received praise.

## Upcoming expansions

### *The Final Shape*

*Main article: Destiny 2: The Final Shape*
***Destiny 2: The Final Shape*** is the upcoming ninth expansion pack released for *Destiny 2*. It is slated to release for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on February 27, 2024.

Set after the events of *Lightfall*, *The Final Shape* sees the return of Cayde-6 following his death in *Forsaken*, and is the concluding chapter in the franchise's "Light and Darkness" story arc.

## References

1. ↑ https://help.bungie.net/hc/en-us/articles/360049202971-Destiny-Content-Vault
2. ↑ https://www.shacknews.com/article/132002/destiny-2-expansion-sunset
3. ↑ https://www.eurogamer.net/cayde-returns-somehow-in-new-destiny-2-the-final-shape-trailer