With the recent commencement of the 2020 Solstice of Heroes, Destiny 2 has, once again, brought one of its most glaring defects to the forefront, in my humble opinion. I’m not talking about the discord over last year’s fumble of silver in exchange for glow effects in armor that was quickly rendered useless. No, I’m talking about an issue that is more systemic in the game itself and has been since it’s initial launch. Perhaps it’s because Destiny itself is such a community centered game that this issue has gone seemingly unnoticed by many. However, I am sure that I’m not alone in my thinking when I say that Destiny 2 does a very poor job of straddling the line between a single player first person shooter game and a massively multiplayer online game. Allow me to elaborate, though I can only speak on my experience with Destiny 2. Though I have played Destiny 1 – it has been as a single player only while Destiny 2, I have had the pleasure of experiencing it with a fireteam a time or two.
Upon starting Destiny 2 – you begin the game alone. In fact, almost all of the story missions as well as the expansions – all of those initial “quests” are done alone. Even if you were previously in a fire team, you will be going through them alone once you initiate them. And, in my opinion, that’s a good thing. It removes the waiting that you might experience if you were required to have a fireteam for the entire game. Your inventory, your characters, and more recently – the choices you have made are all shaping your character. This is amazing and I adore it. By far, the best part of the entire game. That’s not to say that the multiplayer aspect of it is some less – far from it. Joining up with other players in strikes, the crucible, and other events is one of the many high pointes of the game. It’s a lot of fun and while it can bring with it a certain set of challenges – that’s to be expected when you throw in a few unknown elements. You toss in clans and you have the opportunity to create something truly inspiring. And, from what I understand, nothing in Destiny is better than completing a raid. I say it that way because I’ve never done one. That’s the other side to this. There is this whole other side of the game that I will probably never experience, especially come November 10th when Leviathan will officially be locked in the vault for the foreseeable future. And, while I am bummed, it’s alright. I’ve been playing Destiny 2 since it launched, I pre-ordered it and everything. And I haven’t set foot in a raid with a fireteam. Haven’t been able to get one together. Because I don’t have any real friends that play the game and I am painfully shy. Not to mention the fact that I’m a mid-thirties woman. That tends to create a bit of a problem when trying to get a group together. But, it is what it is and I’m okay with that – since there really isn’t any other option. But that leads me to the main point of this letter. Forced participation.
For example – the Lore seal. I am literally two things away from completing it. I have been two things away for months. The two things? One ahamkara bone and one corrupted egg. Both locked behind boss walls in the Last Wish raid. I’ve gotten the others, accessible via the wish wall. But, since I haven’t been able to get a raid team together… there you have it. For a single player like me, the Lore seal is literally impossible to get, even though it is not a raid seal, which there is one of those. But this is not that. This is a game wide Lore seal. Additionally – this year’s Solstice of Heroes armor set, to achieve “Majestic” level on all the various pieces, will require a fireteam. Not one that is match made. No, one that I have to supply myself. Just like last year. Last year, I managed to get everything done that I could without a fireteam. I don’t have a dog in the fight of the argument over the glow effects because… I never got any. Never could. And this year looks like it will end up being the same. I pre-ordered Destiny 2. Later bought Destiny 1. I’ve pre-ordered every expansion, I’ve always held a season pass. And I’ve pre-ordered Beyond Light, Deluxe Edition. And while I’m paying for the full game… I’m only getting about three quarters the content.
Let me make one thing very clear – I have never even thought to complain about not being able to get raid gear, guns, armor, seals, or triumphs. Because they come raids. Raids require a full fireteam. I’ve never thought to complain about not being able to get the raid seal or the Dreaming City seal, which relies heavily on the Last Wish raid. Because… raids require a full fireteam.
But when an event comes out that claims to be “for all”… and it simply isn’t – it can be rather disheartening to even continue the event when you know you aren’t going to be able to complete it. I play a hunter main… and this year’s requirements for the Majestic set are:
- Helmet: Complete a Nightfall: The Ordeal Strike on Master difficulty. – This requires your own fireteam. I just finished a Nightfall tonight with a match made fireteam. People I’ve never played with before, wearing Tier 2 Solstice Armor – and we finished with a score of over 100k in the Ordeal Strange Terrain. So, I can clearly hold my own. A suitable substitute for this would be to do just that – Hero and 100k. Which isn’t easy by any means.
- Gauntlets: Complete a Nightmare Hunt on the Moon – This is something everyone can do.
- Chest: Complete the Pit of Heresy Dungeon on the Moon – Again, requires your own fireteam. Technically, you can solo this but it’s insanely hard, as in – only the best can do it. A suitable substitute would be some more EAZ runs – since the area’s apparently forgotten entirely for this step of the event. It can even be an insane number like 100.
- Boots: Win matches in Trials of Osiris. – This is again, something everyone can do – from what I understand.
- Cloak: Defeat the final boss in Altars of Sorrow on the Moon. – Another thing everyone can do.
So, for me – the things I’m going to struggle with completely are going to be the Helmet and the Chest. The Chest is going to be the hardest, but, I’ll try to find some people to play with. The thing is – the Solstice of Heroes even is supposed to be “for all”. But when you lock the final steps behind required fireteam activities – then it isn’t “for all”. It’s for “MMO” players. Which, Destiny is not completely made of.
Let me say that I adore Destiny, obviously. I think it’s a wonderful game, it’s beautiful and the stories are amazing. The lore is immersive and the worlds are stunning. Honestly, this is literally the only problem I have with the game, but, it’s a big one. The thing is though, it’s so easily fixable. I really do hope that you, Bungie, consider this option, this path, as you continue on your own – shaping Destiny into the aw-inspiring game that it can continue to be. I know that it was mentioned before that “choices” were going to become more a part of the game and for that, I cannot wait to see what will happen, what the future will hold. I really do believe that Destiny can comfortably have one foot in choice based, RPG first person shooter and in amazing MMO. Destiny can continue to be the game that other MMOs are compared to.
Signed, A Destiny Player.
*Updated 8/17/2020
A correction to the above open letter that I felt necessary to post. The armor set for this year's solstice of heroes event doesn't have to be made "Magnificent" in order to get the glowy bits. However, if you want glowy bits that you don't pay for, either by silver or an insane amount of bright dust, you will have to go magnificent. Which, I wrongly refer to as Majestic most of the time above. I do so apologize for any confusion on that one. Also, it's probably worth noting that the glowy bits you purchase from Eververse are universal ornaments while the glowy bit you earn is not. So, there's that.
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