Is Destiny 2 Completely Free Now? The Definitive Guide
The short answer? No. While Destiny 2 transitioned to a free-to-play model in 2019 with the “New Light” update, the reality is that experiencing the full breadth of content still requires investment. Think of it as a very generous demo, offering a taste of what the Destiny universe has to offer, but locking the most compelling experiences behind a paywall.
What’s Actually Free in Destiny 2?
Destiny 2’s free-to-play offering is substantial enough to provide hours of entertainment, but it’s essential to understand its limitations. Here’s what you can expect without spending a dime:
- Core Playlists: This is the meat of the free experience. You get access to the core activities:
- Strikes: Cooperative missions where you and two other players battle through enemy-infested environments and challenging bosses.
- Crucible: Destiny 2’s player-versus-player (PvP) arena. Jump into various game modes, hone your skills, and compete against other Guardians.
- Gambit: A hybrid PvE/PvP mode where you fight enemies, collect motes, and invade the enemy team’s arena to disrupt their progress.
- Introductory Story Content: You’ll get a taste of the overall story, but don’t expect a fully fleshed-out narrative. Typically, the opening mission or two of each major expansion are available for free. These provide a glimpse into the expansion’s setting, characters, and overarching plot.
- Patrol Zones: Explore a few select patrol zones, which are open-world areas where you can complete bounties, participate in public events, and discover hidden secrets.
- Some Exotic Weapons: A selection of Exotic weapons are obtainable through gameplay, even without purchasing any expansions. These weapons offer unique perks and abilities that can significantly enhance your gameplay experience.
The Paywalled Content: What You’re Missing
This is where the “free-to-play” designation becomes a bit misleading. The most significant and rewarding experiences in Destiny 2 are locked behind paid expansions:
- Expansions (e.g., Lightfall, The Witch Queen, Beyond Light): These expansions contain the main story campaigns, new subclasses, new destinations, raids, and dungeons. They provide the core narrative drive and endgame content that many players seek.
- Dungeons: Challenging three-player activities that offer unique loot and story elements.
- Raids: Six-player cooperative endgame activities that require coordination, skill, and strategic thinking. They offer the most prestigious rewards and represent the pinnacle of Destiny 2’s PvE experience.
- Seasonal Content: Destiny 2 operates on a seasonal model, with new activities, story missions, and rewards introduced every few months. Access to these seasons typically requires a separate purchase, even if you own the latest expansion.
- Certain Crucible Modes: Some Crucible modes are locked behind expansions or seasonal passes.
- Certain Exotic Quests: Many Exotic weapons are tied to specific expansions or seasonal content.
Why Did Destiny 2 Go Free-to-Play?
The shift to a free-to-play model was a strategic decision by Bungie to broaden its player base and increase engagement. It’s a common strategy in the games-as-a-service (GaaS) model. The goal is to entice players with a free taste of the game, hoping they’ll invest in expansions and seasonal content to unlock the full experience. Bungie, now owned by Sony for approximately $3.7 billion, seeks a robust and continuous revenue stream.
Is Destiny 2 Worth Playing in 2024?
Absolutely! Even with its limitations, the free-to-play version of Destiny 2 offers a substantial amount of content and provides a great introduction to the game’s mechanics, lore, and community. Whether you’re a seasoned FPS player or new to the genre, Destiny 2’s core gameplay loop of shooting, looting, and leveling up is incredibly addictive. Plus, with a strong community and regular updates, there’s always something new to discover.
For those interested in the educational aspects of gaming, the problem-solving and teamwork required in Destiny 2’s higher-level content provide valuable learning opportunities. The Games Learning Society studies the impact and value of games in education. Check out GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Destiny 2’s Free-to-Play Model
1. How much does Destiny 2 cost to play fully?
This depends on how much content you want to access. To get the “full” experience, you’d need to purchase the latest expansion (currently Lightfall), older expansions like The Witch Queen and Beyond Light, and any seasonal passes you’re interested in. The total cost can fluctuate depending on sales and bundles, but expect to spend upwards of $100-$200+ to own all available content.
2. What is “New Light” in Destiny 2?
New Light is the official name for the free-to-play version of Destiny 2. It was launched on October 1, 2019, and provides access to a limited selection of activities and content.
3. Can I play Destiny 2 with friends who own expansions if I only have the free version?
Yes, you can play with friends regardless of whether you own the same expansions. However, you will only be able to participate in activities that are available to you based on the content you own. For example, if your friend wants to do a raid that requires the Lightfall expansion, you won’t be able to join unless you also own Lightfall.
4. What are the best Exotic weapons to get as a free-to-play player in Destiny 2?
The article mentions a few free-to-play Exotics, including:
- Tractor Cannon
- The Huckleberry
- Arbalest
- Riskrunner
- Monte Carlo
- Hard Light
- Sturm
- Legend of Acrius
These are good starting points, but the specific “best” weapon depends on your playstyle and the activities you’re participating in.
5. Do I need Xbox Game Pass to play Destiny 2 on Xbox?
No, you don’t need Xbox Game Pass to play the free-to-play version of Destiny 2. However, having Game Pass often grants access to expansions, making it a worthwhile investment if you plan on playing a lot of Destiny 2.
6. How often does Destiny 2 get updated?
Destiny 2 receives regular updates, including seasonal content drops every few months, larger expansion releases annually, and smaller patches and hotfixes in between.
7. Will there be a Destiny 3?
Currently, Bungie has not announced any plans for Destiny 3. They are focused on continuing to support and expand Destiny 2. Destiny 2 is set to conclude its Light and Dark saga with The Final Shape expansion in 2024.
8. How does Destiny 2 make money as a free-to-play game?
Destiny 2 generates revenue through the sale of expansions, seasonal passes, cosmetic items (sold for Silver, the game’s premium currency), and dungeon keys.
9. Is Destiny 1 still playable?
Yes, Destiny 1 is still playable, but it no longer receives updates or new content. Some activities are no longer accessible, and the community is significantly smaller than Destiny 2’s.
10. What’s the deal with Cayde-6? Will he ever come back?
Cayde-6, the beloved Hunter Vanguard, was killed in the Forsaken expansion. While there have been teases and hints, it remains to be seen how and when he might return, if ever. He is currently confirmed to return in The Final Shape expansion. The article mentions there is no Cayde-7 even if he were to return.
11. How many people still play Destiny 2?
The article estimates the daily player count to be around 423,063, with a total player base of approximately 44,532,970. This suggests a very active community.
12. How do I level up quickly in Destiny 2 as a free-to-play player?
Focus on completing daily and weekly challenges, participating in core playlist activities, and maximizing your Power level through the limited available rewards.
13. Is it worth buying older Destiny 2 expansions?
If you enjoy the free-to-play content and want to experience the full story and endgame activities, purchasing older expansions can be a worthwhile investment. They often go on sale, making them more affordable.
14. What happens after The Final Shape expansion?
Bungie has stated that The Final Shape will conclude the Light and Dark saga, but they have plans to continue supporting Destiny 2 with new content and storylines beyond that point. Details are still scarce, but expect a new narrative direction and potentially significant changes to the game’s structure.
15. Is Destiny 2 the most expensive game ever made?
While Destiny’s initial development and marketing costs were very high (potentially around $500 million), it’s not definitively the most expensive game ever made. Other titles have likely surpassed that figure in recent years, considering ongoing development and marketing expenses.