Even with Destiny 2: Beyond Light getting a two month delay, change looms on the horizon for the popular online shooter. In November, fans will be able to go hands on with all new content to further expand the game from a new story line, a new destination, as well as three new Darkness based subclasses. Naturally, the expansion and corresponding update will also introduce new changes to the game including a UI overhaul detailed in a previous weekly blog post.
However, with content being added, Bungie is also vaulting a large portion of the game. Known as the Destiny Content Vault, Bungie's plan is to essentially remove big chunks of legacy content with some of it potentially making a comeback down the road. Shockingly, nearly 50% of the game is set to be removed including maps, game modes, gear, weapons, and even destinations like Io, Titan, Mercury, and Mars.
Instead of simply making portions of Destiny 2 simply disappear on November 10, Bungie has instead attempted to justify it through narrative and a lengthy quest called Exodus. Earlier in the summer, fans were able to experience the first part and with this week's reset, the second part of the quest has finally kicked off. While not overly difficult, the quest chain is a perfect prelude to the Beyond Light expansion.
Locations
Exodus: Preparation and Evacuation begins with Commander Zavala, a major NPC that has largely been the face of the franchise since the very first game back in 2014. Through him, players learn about the encroaching presence of the Darkness and the effects its having on the four locations that have been invaded: Io, Titan, Mars, and Mercury. Of course, these locations are the ones that Bungie intends on removing. The quest then takes the player to each location to meet up with the local NPC vendor at each location where they complete multiple quest steps and activities to progress the narrative.
While it may seem a bit basic on the surface, for example tasking players with defeating 'x' number of enemies, what may be overlooked is that this quest line essentially highlights each location one last time before they're removed. Players battle the specific enemy types located there as well as participate in activities like strikes, adventures, and lost sectors that are based at that location. To that end, the Exodus quests can be viewed as a best of playlist for each of the four locations, letting players experience them one final time.
Lore
In addition to trying to explain why these locations and activities are leaving the game, players have also found a bit more lore regarding the vendors stationed at these locations. Some of them are actually quite surprising and reveal the ultimate fate of each. For those who have not finished the Exodus: Evacuation quest line, spoilers follow.
On Io, Asher Mir takes his final revenge on the Pyramidion by not only fighting the Vex head on, but using his guardian powers to bring the Radiolarian Lake crashing down inside. He says its to prevent the Darkness from extracting its secrets, but a portion of it also has to be related to the fact that the Pyramidion cost him his arm. Either way, Asher isn't making the trip to The Tower.
After beating the Titan portion of the Exodus: Evacuation, players learn that Sloane straps herself into Golden Age power armor and basically goes on a suicide mission against the Hive. She goes out in a blaze of glory and her laughter is even broadcast throughout the station.
Next up is Mercury and Brother Vance. The Osiris mega fan finally works up the courage to enter the Endless Forest and seals the path behind him. Inside the forest, Vance is able to split himself like Osiris, though he ultimately meets his end fighting a darkness version of himself.
Finally, players head to Mars to work with Ana Bray, largely more important that the previous three vendors and someone who players likely feared would meet her end similar to the previous steps of the quest. Thankfully, that isn't the case here as players are asked to collect pieces of the shattered Rasputin. Using the tech found by the player and an exo frame, Ana is able to escape Mars and seems to be ready to rebuild Rasputin inside of an Exo body.
Gear
In addition to revisiting all of the locations that are going away, the quest line continues the nostalgia trip by gifting players with gear and weapons. After finishing each location, players are gifted with Nightfall specific rewards typically found by running missions from each location as well as strike specific weapons as well. Rewards include Silicon Neuroma Legendary Sniper Rifle, Duty Bound Auto Rifle, D.F.A. Hand Cannon, and the highly sought after Braytech Osprey Rocket Launcher. Players are even reporting that Zavala hands out the popular shotgun, Mindbender's Ambition, which is a bit odd considering The Tangle Shore location isn't going away.
Better yet, acquiring this gear counts towards the Wayfarer title for those still missing location specific gear. With each location going away, Bungie is giving players once final chance to not only experience what each location has to offer, but give fans another shot at finishing various triumphs and titles before they disappear for good.
Destiny 2 is available now for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.