The Looter Shooter genre of games is ever-growing and encompasses everything from Anthem and Division 2 to Borderlands 3 and Destiny 2. This genre combines RPG elements with various shooter mechanics, emphasizing level up systems and especially emphasizes loot, with the two biggest on the market currently being Borderlands 3 and Destiny 2.
Now, the Destiny franchise has made a solid name for itself in the years since it release, and the future over it looks bright. However, since Borderlands 3 came onto the scene, it's clear that Destiny 2 has been topped, and here's 5 ways Borderlands 3 managed to do that.
The Grind
Looter shooters often involve some form of grind to get the best weapon they want, and some grinds are naturally easier than others. There's also no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to what type of grind a gamer prefers, but with that in mind, the grind for Borderlands 3 loot is head and shoulders better than Destiny 2.
Borderlands 3 players can find tiered-rarity weapons by grind bosses over and over, with Mayhem Mode adding some flavor to this grind by making it more and more challenge to whatever level the player sees fit. It's also worth mentioning that Borderlands 3's grind is expanding, such as the recent addition of the Takedown endgame DLC content, but perhaps most importantly, it still fills possible while being challenging.
Destiny 2, on the other hand, has some insane grinds. Notably, some of these have gotten easier like the Season of the Undying's Crucible Pinnacle weapon, but others can take weeks and months to complete. In other words, the investment just isn't worth it at the end of the day.
The Loot
Then, the loot is called into question. There's little doubt that Destiny 2 has some cool loot, but there's also little doubt that every weapon falls into a certain category and has just another Sci-fi design to it. Borderlands 3, on the other hand, has a plethora of weapons that, good or bad, stand out. This includes the Elon Musk flamethrower, the Batman Pistol, a Super Mario Gun, a gun that shoots loot, the infamous guns with legs, and there's even a Borderlands 3 weapon that refers to Destiny 2.
The PVP
Arguing for some level of multiplayer looter shooter makes sense, but at the same time, that severely limits the audience of a game if it is required. The Division 2 and Anthem, for example, can be played solo if one prefers, without need of even a co-op partner; however, that is not the case with Destiny 2, not really. The game's wide variety of game modes leads even the most casual gamer into some form of PvP, but Borderlands 3 does not do this. There is a duel system, but it's entirely elective and more used for cheap, fun PVP as opposed to Destiny 2's intense Crucible. Co-op is still a possibility but not something required, and those who don't want to do this are only excluded from one endgame activity.
The Characters
Although guns and loot are 90% of the genre, there's always more to every game: a story to explore, characters to hear from, and more. And there is one area where Borderlands 3 tops Destiny 2. The latter has some interesting characters, and some have stuck by the player for some time. Ikora Rey, Zavala, Cayde-6 (prior to his death), Osiris, Mara and Uldren Sov, and even the Ghost stand out from the Destiny 2 ground, but they fail to capture the emotion and development of returning characters in Borderlands 3 like Mordecai, Brick, and the no-longer tiny Tina, the personalities of the new vault hunters like one of the best game characters of 2019, FL4K the Beastmaster, and new characters like Lorelai and Katagawa Jr.
The Endgame
Looter shooters have an extensive endgame, with Borderlands 3 coming packed with Mayhem Mode adjustments, True Vault Hunter Mode, Proving Grounds, Circle of Slaughter, and even the more recent Takedown. Destiny 2, though, has a few game modes that just enforce the same grind, complete the same game modes, do the occasional new or seasonal event, and do pursuits. Destiny 2's endgame content isn't something someone can just pick up and play for the fun of it, which makes Borderlands 3 offering's better for the average player.
Borderlands 3 is out now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One. Destiny 2 is out now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.