The term “open world” has become synonymous with modern gaming, offering players the freedom to explore vast, immersive environments at their leisure. But what exactly constitutes an open world game, and does Bungie’s Destiny 2 fit the bill? In this article, we’ll delve into the characteristics of open world games, examine Destiny 2’s features, and ultimately, answer the question on every Guardian’s mind: is Destiny 2 an open world game?
Defining Open World Games
Before we dive into the specifics of Destiny 2, it’s essential to understand what defines an open world game. While there’s no strict criteria, the following features are commonly associated with open world games:
- Explorable Environment: Players can freely navigate a vast, open environment, often with minimal loading screens or loading zones.
- Non-Linear Gameplay: Players can choose their own objectives, missions, or activities, allowing for a high degree of player agency.
- Dynamic Systems: The game world is alive, with day-night cycles, weather, and NPC interactions that respond to the player’s actions.
- Player Choice and Consequences: Players’ decisions have meaningful consequences, influencing the game world, its inhabitants, or the story.
Games like Grand Theft Auto V, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and Horizon Zero Dawn are quintessential examples of open world games, offering expansive environments, non-linear gameplay, and dynamic systems.
The Evolution of Destiny 2’s Open World
Destiny 2, the sequel to Bungie’s 2014 MMOFPS, has undergone significant changes since its initial release in 2017. The game’s open world design has been a subject of debate among players and critics, with some arguing that it doesn’t quite fit the bill. Let’s examine how Destiny 2’s open world has evolved over time.
Launch and the “Open World” Concept
At launch, Destiny 2’s open world was limited to four distinct planets: European Dead Zone (EDZ), Titan, Io, and Nessus. Each planet featured a series of linear missions, Patrol zones with various activities, and a central hub area with vendors and NPCs. While the game world was certainly vast, it was fragmented, with loading screens separating each region.
Players could explore these areas, complete public events, and engage in activities like patrols and strikes, but the overall experience felt restrictive compared to other open world games. The initial open world design was heavily criticized for being too guided, with players feeling funneled through a narrow narrative path.
The Forsaken Expansion and the “Dreaming City”
The Forsaken expansion, released in September 2018, marked a significant turning point for Destiny 2’s open world. Bungie introduced the Dreaming City, a mystical realm that serves as the centerpiece of the expansion’s narrative.
The Dreaming City is a massive, contiguous environment that showcases Destiny 2’s open world capabilities. Players can explore this vast, ever-changing realm, discovering secrets, completing activities, and participating in public events. The Dreaming City’s design is a clear departure from the game’s initial, fragmented approach, offering a more cohesive, open world experience.
Seasonal Events and Activities
With the introduction of seasonal events and activities, Destiny 2’s open world has become more dynamic and engaging. Bungie regularly releases new seasonal content, such as the Solstice of Heroes, Festival of the Lost, and The Dawning, which adds new activities, quests, and challenges to the game world.
These events often introduce new mechanics, such as the Solstice of Heroes’ EAZ (European Aerial Zone) or the Festival of the Lost’s Haunted Forest, which offer fresh ways to explore and interact with the game world. Seasonal events have injected new life into Destiny 2’s open world, providing a sense of occasion and community.
Evaluating Destiny 2’s Open World Credentials
With the evolution of Destiny 2’s open world in mind, let’s re-examine the characteristics of open world games and see how Bungie’s shooter stacks up:
- Explorable Environment: Destiny 2’s open world is vast, with multiple planets, zones, and activities to explore. While the initial design was fragmented, the Forsaken expansion’s Dreaming City and subsequent seasonal events have significantly improved the game’s explorable environment.
- Non-Linear Gameplay: Destiny 2’s gameplay is still relatively linear, with a focus on completing activities, strikes, and raids. However, the game’s open world design and seasonal events have introduced more opportunities for non-linear gameplay, such as exploring the Dreaming City or participating in public events.
- Dynamic Systems: Destiny 2’s game world is alive, with day-night cycles, dynamic weather, and NPC interactions that respond to the player’s actions. The game’s seasonal events also introduce new mechanics and challenges that add to the game world’s dynamism.
- Player Choice and Consequences: While Destiny 2’s story is largely linear, the game’s open world and seasonal events do offer some opportunities for player choice and consequence. For example, completing certain activities or events can unlock new gear, weapons, or areas, giving players a sense of agency in the game world.
The Verdict: Is Destiny 2 an Open World Game?
Based on our evaluation, Destiny 2 can be considered an open world game, albeit with some caveats. While it may not offer the same level of freedom and non-linearity as other open world games, Destiny 2’s vast, explorable environment, dynamic systems, and seasonal events make it a compelling entry in the genre.
Bungie’s efforts to revamp the game’s open world design, particularly with the Forsaken expansion and subsequent seasonal events, have significantly improved the game’s overall experience. However, Destiny 2’s open world is still structured around its core MMOFPS gameplay, with a focus on completing activities, strikes, and raids.
Ultimately, whether or not Destiny 2 is considered an open world game is a matter of personal interpretation. If you’re looking for a game with absolute freedom and complete non-linearity, Destiny 2 might not be the best fit. However, if you’re willing to immerse yourself in a vast, dynamic world with a strong focus on action, exploration, and community, then Destiny 2’s open world has a lot to offer.
Conclusion
The debate around Destiny 2’s open world credentials is a testament to the game’s complexities and the evolving nature of the genre. Bungie’s commitment to improving and expanding the game’s open world design has paid off, offering players a more engaging, immersive experience.
As Destiny 2 continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Bungie further refines its open world design, incorporating player feedback and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in an MMOFPS. One thing is certain, however: Destiny 2’s open world has come a long way, and it’s an exciting time to be a Guardian.
What is Destiny 2’s Open World?
Destiny 2’s open world is a vast and expansive environment that allows players to explore and discover new locations, complete quests, and engage in various activities. The open world is comprised of several planets and locations, each with its own unique geography, enemies, and challenges. Players can freely roam around the open world, completing objectives, fighting enemies, and collecting loot.
The open world is designed to provide a sense of freedom and agency, allowing players to choose their own path and playstyle. Whether you prefer to explore on foot, in a vehicle, or by using your Guardian’s abilities, the open world offers a rich and immersive experience. With a vast array of activities, quests, and challenges, the open world is a key component of the Destiny 2 experience, offering countless hours of entertainment and exploration.
What are the Different Types of Activities in the Open World?
The open world is filled with a variety of activities, including patrols, public events, and adventures. Patrols are small, bite-sized quests that offer rewards and experience points. Public events are larger, dynamic activities that bring players together to complete objectives, such as defeating a powerful enemy or completing a challenging task. Adventures are longer, more narrative-driven quests that provide a deeper understanding of the game’s story and lore.
In addition to these activities, the open world is also home to other features, such as lost sectors, which are hidden areas that contain valuable loot and secrets. There are also vendors and NPCs, who offer quests, rewards, and information about the game’s world and characters. With so many activities and features, the open world offers a rich and varied experience, catering to different playstyles and preferences.
How Do I Access the Open World?
To access the open world, players must first complete the game’s initial story campaigns and reach a certain level of power. Once you’ve reached the required level, you’ll be able to access the open world through the game’s director, which is a map that allows you to select destinations and activities. From there, you can fast-travel to different locations, explore, and engage in various activities.
It’s worth noting that the open world is a key component of the endgame experience, and is designed to provide a challenging and rewarding experience for players who have completed the main story. However, new players can still access the open world and start completing activities, quests, and challenges, which will help them level up and prepare for the more difficult content.
What is the Purpose of the Open World?
The open world serves several purposes in Destiny 2. Firstly, it provides a sense of freedom and agency, allowing players to explore and discover new locations and activities. Secondly, it offers a wealth of content, including quests, challenges, and loot, which helps to extend the game’s replay value and keep players engaged. Finally, the open world helps to contextualize the game’s story and lore, providing a deeper understanding of the game’s world and characters.
The open world is also designed to be a social space, where players can come together to complete activities, trade items, and socialize. With features like clans and fireteams, players can join forces with friends and other players to tackle challenging content and share in the experience. Whether you’re a solo player or a group of friends, the open world offers a rich and rewarding experience that caters to different playstyles and preferences.
How Does the Open World Impact the Gameplay Experience?
The open world has a significant impact on the gameplay experience in Destiny 2. Firstly, it provides a sense of scale and scope, making the game feel more expansive and immersive. Secondly, it offers a wealth of content, including quests, challenges, and activities, which helps to keep players engaged and motivated. Finally, the open world helps to create a sense of community, where players can come together to complete objectives and share in the experience.
The open world also changes the way players approach the game, encouraging exploration, experimentation, and creativity. With so many options and activities available, players must prioritize their time and focus, deciding which quests to complete, which activities to engage in, and which areas to explore. This sense of agency and freedom helps to create a more dynamic and engaging experience, where players feel invested and motivated.
Can I Play the Open World with Friends?
Yes, the open world is designed to be a social space, where players can come together to explore, complete activities, and socialize. With features like clans and fireteams, players can join forces with friends and other players to tackle challenging content and share in the experience. Whether you’re completing a public event, exploring a lost sector, or taking on a difficult quest, the open world offers a rich and rewarding experience that is enhanced by playing with others.
Playing with friends or a clan also offers several benefits, including increased rewards, improved communication, and a sense of camaraderie. When playing with others, you can work together to complete objectives, share loot and resources, and provide support and guidance. With the open world’s social features, playing with friends is easier than ever, and is a key part of the Destiny 2 experience.
Is the Open World Worth Exploring?
Absolutely! The open world is a key component of the Destiny 2 experience, offering a wealth of content, activities, and rewards. With its vast and expansive environments, rich narrative, and engaging gameplay, the open world is a must-visit destination for any player. Whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore gamer, the open world has something to offer, from relaxing exploration to intense combat and challenging activities.
By exploring the open world, players can discover new locations, complete quests, and earn valuable loot and rewards. They can also experience the game’s rich narrative and lore, gain a deeper understanding of the game’s world and characters, and connect with other players. With its sense of freedom and agency, the open world is a key part of the Destiny 2 experience, and is definitely worth exploring.