9.2

Review: Destiny 2: the final shape

Destiny 2: The Final Shape is a monumental and intense closure of the Light and Darkness saga. This expansion adds an emotional depth to the game with its complex elaborate story and offers unprecedented visual splendor and challenge in battles built on strategic cooperation. The campaign takes place in the Pale Heart, a mysterious world within the Traveler where both the memories of the Guardians and those of their enemy, the Witness, come together sinisterly. This environment is rich in details and combines both iconic and alienating images: For example, the Cosmodrome and the Tower can be visited again, but their appearance has changed dramatically due to the influence of the Darkness. Deformed hands sticking out of walls and grotesque faces that appear in the surroundings give the Pale Heart a terrifying and surreal atmosphere that fits perfectly with the tensions in the story

One of the most striking aspects of The Final Shape is the return of Cayde 6, the beloved character who disappeared from the series in 2018. His re-entry, addressed by Nathan Fillion, is an emotional and nostalgic experience for players who once knew him. Cayde's interactions with other characters, such as Crow and Zavala, carry quite a load; In particular, his relationship with Crow, who killed him at the time, will have a new dimension of understanding and reconciliation. The chemistry between Cayde and his former team members provides comic relief, but his evolution also gives him a more thoughtful side, making his return extra meaningful.

Commander Zavala, again performed but now by Keith David, also gets a very elaborate role. The death of Lance Reddick, Zavala's original voice actor, adds an extra layer to the storyline, in which Zavalaâ€TMs pain and loss are tangible. David pays a fitting tribute to Reddick, which helps players to feel with Zavala on a personal level. This emotionally charged story gives The Final Shape a special depth that was often lacking in earlier extensions of Destiny 2.

Gameplay and Innovations

The gameplay of The Final Shape offers a wide range of new opportunities, notably through the introduction of the Prismatic Subclass. This subclass offers players powerful, innovative skills specifically designed for the battles and challenges within this expansion. The new Dual Destiny missions and other endgame content require the use of this subclass, encouraging players to adapt their strategies and make the most of their strengths in intensive, cooperative gameplay environments

Furthermore, this expansion adds new exotic weapons and equipment, which bring variation in both PvE and PvP modes. Making strategic choices in the use of this equipment becomes crucial as players advance into the storyline and face the increasingly complex challenges of the Pale Heart. The structure of the missions is designed to keep pace high and constantly offers players new challenges and rewards.

The story of The Final Shape is rich in themes such as loss, betrayal, and the search for meaning in a conflicting world. The confrontation with the Witness, Destinyâ€TMs most devastating and mystical antagonist, makes players experience the evil and the darkness in an intense way. The Witness, with its imposing presence and multi-voiced personality, acts on the players' psyche. His destructive power and threatening words often echoed through the walls of the Pale Heart leave a lasting impression.

The Final Shape also sheds light on the origins of the Witness and introduces the Dissesters, former allies who disagree with the vision of the Witness and were captured by him in sculptures. These images, which have been a mystery in the Destiny universe for years, appear to be hidden allies who help to fight their own creator. Through an intriguing lore storyline, players learn more about the origins of evil and the evolution of enemies, which makes the world structure and the story even richer.