In Destiny 2: Lightfall, players confront a scenario of potential annihilation. The primary objective is to thwart the Witness and his newly allied Calus, thereby preventing the impending apocalypse. Guardians will engage the Shadow Legion within the visually striking metropolis of Neomuna on Neptune. Encounters with formidable Tormentors and valiant Cloud Striders await. Beyond the introduction of fresh adversaries and locales, this expansion delivers an array of new weaponry and abilities. Furthermore, enhancements to the online mode streamline the process of modifying gear and abilities dynamically during combat engagements.

Approximately one year prior, I reviewed Destiny 2 – The Witch Queen, which served as my initial foray into the Destiny universe. Entering the narrative can feel analogous to experiencing Black Panther: Wakanda Forever within the Marvel Cinematic Universe without prior exposure to the preceding films, resulting in a fragmented understanding of the overarching plot and character relationships. While Destiny 2: Lightfall includes a recap of previous events, it may inadvertently contribute to further complexity. Destiny 2 transitioned to a free-to-play model in 2017. However, the expansions, which offer substantial content comparable to standalone titles, are available for purchase.
Destiny 2 – Lightfall introduces a wealth of new weapons and equipment alongside its novel enemy types and environments.

Superficially, much of the gameplay experience remains consistent. There are no radical departures in graphical fidelity, and the core combat mechanics are largely unchanged. Significant innovation is absent. The experience can become repetitive, even with the introduction of new environments and visually distinct enemies. Furthermore, certain game mechanics exhibit imperfections; specifically, the platforming sequences involving traversal between asteroids and ships felt unrefined and presented an unexpected degree of difficulty.
New players must complete a series of introductory missions designed to familiarize them with the game’s structure before accessing the Lightfall expansion content. A notable drawback is the persistent online requirement, even for solo play. Disconnections necessitate restarting missions, which, in my case, resulted in considerable frustration due to unreliable internet connectivity.

In conclusion, Destiny 2 – Lightfall, while potentially monotonous in solo play, truly shines as a cooperative online experience. Engaging in combat alongside friends or other players against waves of enemies elevates the gameplay to a highly enjoyable and adrenaline-fueled level. Despite the absence of groundbreaking features, I recommend Destiny 2 – Lightfall as a compelling online title designed for collaborative play.
Bungie provided review copies for the purpose of this evaluation. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial independence; our reviews are conducted objectively with the interests of readers and consumers as the foremost consideration.