Destiny 2: Renegades Crossover Shakes Up Bungie's Universe
The highly anticipated and deeply discussed Destiny 2: Renegades expansion, set to launch on December 2, 2025, is already making waves, offering an unexpected twist on Bungie's long-running looter-shooter. With its overt embrace of a Star Wars-flavored crossover, early impressions suggest a surprisingly effective — albeit at times "cringey" — infusion of new energy into a universe many critics felt was spinning its wheels.
For years, Destiny has been playfully dubbed the "Star Wars at home" of video games, but Renegades takes this comparison to its literal extreme. This bold move by Bungie appears to be working, delivering a compelling breath of fresh air for players who've grown accustomed to a predictable gameplay loop. While it doesn't miraculously resolve all of Destiny 2's deep-seated issues, the decision to lean into over-the-top drama and outright cheesiness has provided a distinct, refreshing change of pace.
A Bold, Yet Risky, Crossover Experiment
Initial reactions to the Star Wars crossover concept were met with skepticism, even from the most dedicated Destiny veterans. Many feared it signaled a lack of original ideas, drawing comparisons to games "going full Fortnite" or making a "desperation play" amidst a perceived slow decline. However, the expansion's full-throated commitment to its premise seems to have a certain charm. Moments featuring lightsaber-wielding foes battling in epic cutscenes, underscored by evocative John Williams-esque music, have reportedly begun to win over even the most cynical players.
Renegades unapologetically incorporates a barrage of direct Star Wars references. Players will encounter familiar scenarios like being trapped in a garbage compactor, rescuing someone from "off-brand carbon freezing," and executing a dramatic jump to lightspeed while a masked villain watches angrily. While this can sometimes feel overtly "on the nose" and even induce a "full-body cringe," the sheer "screw it" energy behind this approach offers a refreshing direction for a game that has felt stagnant for years.
New Mechanics Bolster Familiar Battlegrounds
Beyond the thematic overhaul, Destiny 2: Renegades introduces several welcome gameplay tweaks that prevent the experience from being merely a cosmetic reskin. The story, while described as "silly," brings with it genuine additions to the sandbox:
- An impressive level of enemy density across activities, keeping engagements consistently engaging.
- A new shielding system for specific enemies, requiring concentrated burst damage to penetrate their defenses.
- AT-ST-inspired walkers that boast unique and unexpected attack patterns.
- Innovative battery-powered weapons, which operate on an overheat/cooldown mechanic rather than traditional ammo.
Despite these additions, the expansion doesn't completely overhaul the fundamental combat experience. Players will still find themselves battling familiar adversaries like Cabal armored warriors and bony Thrall monstrosities, which, at times, can make the experience feel like a superficial update to existing content. However, these new mechanics serve as decent, welcome adjustments within the existing framework.
Early Verdict Points to Unexpected Success
While the journey through Destiny 2: Renegades is still in its early stages for many, with much questing, looting, and lightsaber crafting yet to be done, the initial reception is notably more positive than anticipated. Despite low expectations, the expansion has been described as "much better than I expected," signaling a potential resurgence for the Guardian universe. A definitive verdict awaits the completion of the main campaign and a deep dive into endgame activities, but for now, Bungie's audacious Star Wars crossover seems to be hitting its mark, injecting a much-needed jolt of fresh, if cheesy, excitement.