Is Free-to-Play Destiny 2 Worth It? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, free-to-play Destiny 2 is absolutely worth trying in 2023, especially if you’re a newcomer to the looter-shooter genre or a returning player curious about its current state. While the full breadth of Destiny 2’s content is locked behind expansions, the free-to-play version offers a surprising amount of engaging gameplay, enough to keep you occupied for tens, if not hundreds, of hours. This article will break down what you can expect from the free experience, and provide answers to frequently asked questions that can help you decide if jumping in is right for you.
What Does Free Destiny 2 Offer?
Free Destiny 2 operates under a “games as a service” model, offering a generous slice of the core gameplay loop without requiring any initial purchase. The content revolves around several key activities:
Core Playlists
You’ll have access to the essential core playlists:
- Vanguard Strikes: Cooperative missions that put a team of three players through challenging encounters and boss fights.
- Crucible: The player-versus-player (PvP) arena, featuring a variety of game modes.
- Gambit: A unique hybrid mode that combines PvE and PvP, where you fight enemies and collect motes to summon a boss.
These modes provide a solid foundation for experiencing Destiny 2’s core combat and progression systems.
Open-World Exploration
As a free player, you can freely explore all of Destiny 2’s destinations, taking part in:
- Patrols: Simple, repeatable tasks that help you learn your way around the maps.
- Public Events: Dynamic events that pop up in open-world locations, offering combat challenges and rewards.
- Lost Sectors: Hidden mini-dungeons containing unique enemies and loot.
These activities are excellent for understanding the game world, leveling up, and acquiring gear.
Dungeons and Raids
While most dungeons and raids require purchased expansions, the Prophecy Dungeon is available to all players. This dungeon is a challenging and rewarding activity, representing the height of Destiny 2’s PvE content. Additionally, Vault of Glass and King’s Fall raids are free as well, providing a solid taste of what Destiny’s endgame activities are like.
New Light Onboarding
The “New Light” questline is your introduction to Destiny 2. It guides new players through the basics and introduces important NPCs, while the Guardian Rank system provides more goals to work towards as you progress.
Seasonal Events
Free-to-play players also have access to seasonal events, offering unique activities, rewards, and a taste of the ongoing narrative.
Is It Worth Playing Without Expansions?
Many articles might highlight that Destiny 2 is very repetitive without the expansions, and it’s a fair criticism. It is true that a lot of content is locked behind a paywall, but this is still a very enjoyable free-to-play experience. If you approach Destiny 2 as a free trial then you’ll likely be very pleased. You can experience the game’s superb gunplay, which is regarded as one of the best in the first-person shooter genre, along with its various free activities. If you feel that you really enjoy it after this free “trial period” then purchasing the expansions will feel like a natural next step, and not a requirement from the get-go.
However, if you do choose to dive into the world of expansions, you’ll be pleased to know the game has some incredible story telling. While the free version of the game is essentially devoid of any story, the expansions each provide an incredible narrative, and are really fun to play.
Potential Drawbacks of the Free Version
While the free-to-play version of Destiny 2 provides a generous amount of activities, there are some limitations to consider:
- Limited Story Content: The free version offers almost no story missions. The intro tutorial quest and the first mission of each expansion are the only story pieces you’ll get for free, which is unfortunate.
- Restricted Access to Endgame Activities: Many high-end activities such as raids, dungeons, and pinnacle-level strikes, are locked behind expansion purchases. However, don’t forget that Prophecy Dungeon, Vault of Glass, and King’s Fall raids are free to play.
- Repetitive Gameplay: Eventually, you may exhaust the free content, which can become repetitive without expansions. However, this can take a very long time.
- Gear Limitations: Certain powerful gear and weapons are often tied to expansion content. However, there is still plenty of powerful gear that can be obtained for free.
- Limited PvP content: While most of the playlists are free, certain game modes, including Trials of Osiris, are locked behind expansions.
Despite these limitations, the free version of Destiny 2 is still a fantastic starting point to familiarize yourself with the game, especially if you’re hesitant about committing to purchases before trying it out.
Destiny 2: Worth Trying in 2023
In conclusion, free-to-play Destiny 2 is undoubtedly worth playing in 2023. It offers a substantial amount of content, allowing new players to experience the core gameplay without any upfront cost. It’s an excellent way to see if the game is for you. Its engaging gunplay, variety of activities, and a welcoming community make it a great choice for both FPS veterans and newcomers alike. However, if you enjoy it, you’ll eventually hit a wall and want to experience the paid content. In this case, you will have gotten a taste for the game, and can make an informed decision on whether to purchase expansions. Destiny 2 is not for everyone, but it is definitely worth a try.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How much of Destiny 2 is actually free?
The free version of Destiny 2 provides access to core playlists (Strikes, Crucible, Gambit), open-world exploration, seasonal events, the Prophecy Dungeon, Vault of Glass and King’s Fall raids, the “New Light” onboarding questline, and the Guardian Rank system. However, most story missions, dungeons, raids, and certain gear are locked behind expansions.
2. Is it worth playing Destiny 2 in 2023?
Yes, it is definitely worth playing in 2023. Destiny 2 boasts fantastic gunplay and engaging gameplay loops, which are both available in the free version. It has a large community, and is one of the most popular looter-shooters around.
3. Is Destiny 2 worth playing without expansions?
Yes, it is. You can easily spend hundreds of hours enjoying the free content without purchasing any expansions, but eventually, you will want more. The free version is great for seeing if the game is right for you, as it offers a generous slice of the game for free.
4. Is the free Destiny 2 the full game?
No, the free version of Destiny 2 is not the full game. It is more like a generous trial, allowing you to experience the core gameplay before deciding to invest in expansions. Most of the end-game content and story is locked behind a paywall.
5. What can a free-to-play player do in Destiny 2?
Free players can participate in Patrols, Public Events, Lost Sectors, Vanguard Strikes, most Crucible playlists, Gambit, seasonal events, the Prophecy Dungeon, Vault of Glass, and King’s Fall raids. They can also explore every destination.
6. Is Destiny 2 boring without DLCs?
While the free content can become repetitive eventually, it offers enough to keep you engaged for a significant time. With the Prophecy Dungeon, Vault of Glass and King’s Fall raids, the free experience is surprisingly large and rewarding. However, if you want access to the full story, you will need to purchase DLCs.
7. Is it hard to get into Destiny 2?
Destiny 2 can feel daunting at first, with a lot to learn. However, the New Light questline and the Guardian Rank system help guide new players. The current narrative, set in a thriving city, also provides a good jumping-in point for new players.
8. Will there be Destiny 3?
No, Bungie has stated multiple times that they are not making Destiny 3. The team is fully committed to developing Destiny 2.
9. Does Destiny have a free campaign?
No, there are no free campaigns in Destiny 2. The only story content that’s free consists of the introductory tutorial and the first mission of each expansion.
10. Is Destiny 2 still pay to win?
Destiny 2 is not considered pay-to-win. While most content is locked behind a paywall, the free version still provides enough tools and activities to allow free players to compete with those who have paid for expansions.
11. When did Destiny 2 become free?
Destiny 2 became free-to-play on October 1, 2019, under the New Light title.
12. Why is Destiny 2 fun?
Destiny 2 is fun due to its exceptional gunplay, engaging activities, diverse gameplay, and welcoming community. The variety of content allows players to always have something new to do.
13. Which DLC do I need for Destiny 2?
While all DLCs have their place, The Witch Queen is generally regarded as a must-have DLC. The Legacy Collection is also a good option, as it features The Witch Queen, Beyond Light, and Shadowkeep.
14. Should I play Destiny 2 alone?
Destiny 2 is fun to play solo, but it’s even better with friends. The community is welcoming, and you can team up with experienced players in co-op activities and learn from them.
15. Do I need Lightfall to play Trials?
Yes, Trials of Osiris is locked behind the latest expansion, currently Lightfall. You need to purchase this DLC to participate in Trials.