Bungie officially revealed the details for its upcoming Destiny 2 DLC The Final Shape today, the conclusion of its “Light and Darkness” saga that started all the way back in 2014. The Final Shape will debut on Feb. 27.
During today’s The Final Shape showcase event, Bungie unveiled more about the storyline of The Final Shape, which will focus heavily on The Traveler. The massive, mysterious, spherical entity has always been present in Destiny. The Final Shape, however, will take that a step further, with The Traveler asking for help as The Witness uses its light to do terrible things.
Players will explore a new destination called The Pale Heart, located inside The Traveler. Per Bungie, The Pale Heart “will feature nostalgic callbacks from throughout the history of the Light and Darkness Saga, including a version of the original Tower from Destiny. As the first linear destination in Destiny history, The Pale Heart will also gradually evolve.” (that nostalgia, it should be noted, it include a “mysteriously returned” Cayde-6.)
The Pale Heart will also feature a new enemy type called Subjugators, who are able to use Stasis and Strand powers. Additionally, The Final Shape will offer players three new Super abilities and Aspects – Void for Titans, Solar for Warlocks, and Arc for Hunters – as well as new exotic weapons, including the return of some classic weapons from Destiny 1.
The Final Shape will be available in three editions, all of which are now available for pre-order.
A Change in Format
In addition to revealing more about The Final Shape, Bungie also delved into other aspects that will affect the future of Destiny 2 elsewhere. For one, it’s ditching its previous format of releasing four seasons per year in favor of episodes, which will begin in March 2024 shortly after the launch of The Final Shape. Bungie says the episodes format will represent “an entirely new approach to storytelling and content.”
There will be three separate episodes in 2024, Bungie announced, respectively titled Echoes, Revenant, and Heresy. Each episode will be a standalone story told in three acts, and each one will explore the “aftermath and fallout of the events of the conclusion of the Light and Darkness saga.” Bungie also notes that the episodes will introduce additional content and rewards “more often than previous Destiny 2 Seasons.”
The change in format seems to be a direct reaction to player feedback, as Destiny 2 game director Joe Blackburn recently apologized for Bungie’s poorly received August State of the Game post.
Season of the Witch
But before Destiny 2 officially says goodbye to seasons, its latest, Season of the Witch, debuts today. In it, Guardians will continue to pursue The Witness, confronting old allies and enemies along the way.
Per Bungie’s official synopsis: “Savathûn’s ghost Immaru proposes a deal: aid in the resurrection of The Witch Queen and help defeat her sister, Xivu Arath. In exchange, Savathûn will reveal the key to the portal through the Traveler where The Witness is preparing to enact The Final Shape. Guardians will harness arcane Hive magic as they help their ally Eris Morn prepare for the showdown against the Hive god of war by transforming into a Hive god herself.”
Season of the Witch will also introduce a new method of player progression called The Deck of Whispers, which will allow Guardians to customize their loadouts and powers in new ways. As players complete seasonal activities, they’ll earn cards that can be used for a customized deck of buffs and perks.
Check out Bungie's full recap of today's event here.
Alex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she's not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.
