Will Bungie Bring Back Red Death? A Deep Dive into Destiny 2’s Resurrected Relics
The short answer is: highly likely, but with potential twists. Bungie has a strong track record of bringing back fan-favorite weapons from the original Destiny, often with reimagined perks and functionalities. Given the community’s persistent requests and the thematic relevance of self-healing weapons in the current Destiny 2 meta, Red Death’s return seems almost inevitable. Whether it will be a direct port, a spiritual successor like Crimson, or a completely new weapon inspired by its core mechanic remains to be seen.
The Legacy of Red Death: A Pulse Rifle’s Reign
Red Death, for those who weren’t slaying in the original Destiny, was an exotic pulse rifle renowned for its unique perk: healing the user on every kill. This made it a formidable weapon in both PvE and PvP, allowing players to aggressively engage enemies and quickly recover lost health. Its distinctive look, featuring a bayonet and a menacing crimson aesthetic, further cemented its place in Destiny lore. The lore itself alluded to its creation from a fallen Guardian’s weapon, adding a darker edge to its appeal.
Crimson: Red Death’s Hand Cannon Cousin
While not a direct port, Crimson in Destiny 2 serves as a clear spiritual successor to Red Death. This exotic hand cannon retains the core healing-on-kill mechanic, offering players a similar level of survivability and aggressive playstyle. Crimson’s existence demonstrates Bungie’s willingness to iterate on beloved weapon concepts, suggesting that any potential Red Death revival might involve a similar reimagining.
The Case for Red Death’s Return: Community Demand and Thematic Resonance
The Destiny community consistently voices its desire for Red Death’s return. Forums, Reddit threads, and social media are filled with requests for this iconic weapon. This persistent demand, coupled with the current state of Destiny 2, makes a strong case for its reintroduction.
Self-Healing Meta and Survivability
Destiny 2 has seen shifts in its meta, with a growing emphasis on survivability and self-healing. Mods, abilities, and exotic armor pieces all contribute to this trend. Red Death would perfectly fit into this landscape, providing players with another potent option for staying alive in challenging activities.
The Final Shape and Nostalgia
With The Final Shape approaching, Bungie has shown a willingness to tap into nostalgia by bringing back classic weapons like Dragon’s Breath and the Khvostov. Red Death’s return would further capitalize on this trend, appealing to veteran players and providing newcomers with a taste of Destiny’s history.
Possible Implementations: Direct Port, Reimagining, or New Weapon?
If Red Death were to return, Bungie has several options for its implementation:
- Direct Port: A faithful recreation of the original Red Death, complete with its iconic perks and appearance. This would be the most direct approach, appealing to those who loved the original. However, it might lack the innovation that Destiny 2 players have come to expect.
- Reimagining: A weapon that retains the core healing-on-kill mechanic but features new perks, stats, and a slightly altered design. This approach would strike a balance between nostalgia and innovation.
- New Weapon: An entirely new weapon that is thematically similar to Red Death, perhaps with a different weapon type or a more unique take on the healing mechanic. This option would allow Bungie to be more creative while still satisfying the desire for a Red Death-esque weapon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Red Death
1. What was Red Death’s defining characteristic in Destiny 1?
Red Death was an exotic pulse rifle known for its perk that healed the user and granted bonus recovery on each kill.
2. Is Crimson in Destiny 2 a direct replacement for Red Death?
Crimson is a spiritual successor, offering a similar healing-on-kill mechanic but as a hand cannon. It’s not a direct replacement, but fulfills a similar role.
3. How did players acquire Red Death in the original Destiny?
It could be obtained through exotic engrams, as a reward for completing the Vault of Glass, or purchased from Xur for Strange Coin on specific weekends.
4. What made Red Death so popular in Destiny 1?
Its ability to heal the user with each kill made it incredibly versatile and effective in both PvE and PvP scenarios.
5. What other Destiny 1 exotics are making a comeback in Destiny 2?
Dragon’s Breath Exotic Rocket Launcher and Khvostov Exotic Auto Rifle are confirmed to return with The Final Shape expansion.
6. What is “The Final Shape” in Destiny 2?
The Final Shape is the name used to describe the ultimate goal of the Witness, and potentially the Darkness itself, referring to a potential end-state of the universe.
7. Is “The Final Shape” the end of Destiny 2?
No, Bungie has confirmed that Destiny 2 will continue beyond The Final Shape with new story arcs and content.
8. Is Cayde-6 permanently dead in Destiny 2?
Yes, Cayde-6 died during the Forsaken campaign, and his Ghost Sundance was also destroyed, preventing his resurrection. However, he returns in the Final Shape.
9. Why was Cayde-6 killed off in Destiny 2?
Cayde-6’s death was a narrative device to explore grief and loss and to motivate the events of the Forsaken expansion.
10. Will Nathan Fillion be voicing Cayde-6 in The Final Shape?
Yes, Nathan Fillion will return as the voice of Cayde-6 in the upcoming expansion.
11. What is the significance of self-healing in the current Destiny 2 meta?
Self-healing has become a prominent strategy for survivability in challenging content, making weapons and abilities that offer it highly valuable.
12. What other weapons have similar healing mechanics to Red Death?
Besides Crimson, several weapons and armor pieces offer healing effects on kills or ability use, contributing to the self-healing meta.
13. If Red Death returns, how might Bungie update its perks?
Bungie might introduce new perks that synergize with the current Destiny 2 sandbox, such as granting ability energy on kills or providing overshield effects.
14. How could the return of classic weapons impact the Destiny 2 player base?
The return of beloved weapons can generate excitement and bring back lapsed players while also providing newer players with a taste of Destiny’s history.
15. How does the story of Destiny 2: Forsaken connect to Cayde-6?
The story campaign of Forsaken is centered around avenging Cayde-6’s death and pursuing his killers. It served as a major turning point in Destiny 2’s narrative.
The Verdict: Hope Remains
While there’s no official confirmation, the stars seem to be aligning for Red Death’s return to Destiny 2. Whether it’s a faithful recreation or a reimagined version, the community’s desire for this iconic weapon, combined with the current state of the game, suggests that it’s only a matter of time before we see Red Death – or its successor – back in our hands.
As we anticipate the future of Destiny and the potential return of iconic elements, remember the power of gaming in education and learning. The Games Learning Society ( GamesLearningSociety.org ) explores how games can be used to enhance learning across various fields. Perhaps the return of Red Death could even spark new discussions about game design, player engagement, and the use of nostalgia in interactive experiences.