Summary
Destiny: Risingisn’t aiming to be a typicalDestinygame on mobile. In fact, it has essentially been confirmed to be agacha game similar toGenshin Impact. While this might feel like a bit of a sharp turn for longtimeDestinyveterans,Destiny: Risingmay still have something going for it that the mainlineDestinygames never have.
WithDestiny: Risinghaving a fresh start and even taking place in an alternate universe, it has the opportunity to do something with its narrative that the mainline games have been unable to do since the series began in 2014. Specifically, the overarching narrative ofDestinyhas always lacked a personal touch due to the player character being nothing more than a glorified weapon.Destiny: Risingmay be changing that by giving each playable character more personality.
Destiny: Rising’s Definitive Storytelling Gives It an Advantage Over Destiny 2
Destiny 2’s Unnamed Player Character Comes With Narrative Downsides
Destinyhas certainly had a narrative going onboth behind the scenes and on the stage since 2014 — one that is often even more fleshed out as players discover lore entries throughout the game’s world that they can read at any time. However, as far as the player character goes, who has always been soullessly referred to as “Guardian,” they are little more than a tool necessary for driving back the forces that threatenDestiny’s world. As such, there is rarely any character development for the Guardian, and if there is, it means very little to the overarching story.
From one perspective, simply naming the player character “Guardian” works well for an open-endedmultiplayer game likeDestinyorDestiny 2, as it doesn’t force a specific background, personality, or name onto players and allows every player to feel like they are an equal and essential part of quelling the major conflict at hand. This approach also allows role-playing enthusiasts to shape their own identity and playDestinyusing their head canon as a foundation for each game’s narrative. However, this also means that the story lacks character-specific development, emotions, and responses, which might have otherwise given each story more substance and ultimately struck a greater chord with its audience.
Destiny: Rising’s Player Character and Ghost Have Names
In contrast to the mainlineDestinygames,Destiny: Rising’s playable heroes and their Ghosts all have names, thereby giving the impression that there will be a greater focus on developing their character arcs than has been on the Guardian’s arc inDestinyandDestiny 2. Depending on whetherDestiny: Risingchooses to go this direction, the upcoming mobile game’s story could have a more personal touch to it than the mainlineDestinyseries has been able to maintain, although those games have not been without plenty ofemotional moments involving characters like Cayde-6, Amanda Holliday, and even the player’s Ghost in the main story forDestiny 2’s latest expansion, The Final Shape.
Speaking of the player’s Ghost, although theGuardian-Ghost bondis often spoken of in the mainlineDestinyseries, it still doesn’t have as much impact when the Ghost is in trouble, since the Guardian’s character is hardly developed throughout the series. With named playable characters and Ghosts inDestiny: Rising, the mobile game may be able to have more at stake, so long as it chooses to flesh out these characters to their full potential.
In the end, this could giveDestiny: Risinga competitive edge againstDestiny 2, even though the former is set to be a much different gameplay experience than the latter.
WhetherDestiny: Risinghas more of an emphasis on its narrative thanDestiny 2does remains to be seen, but what has been revealed for the game so far makes it appear as though it will. In any case, it’s a good sign that players can finally play as an actualcharacter inDestiny: Rising, as opposed to a nameless Guardian. That simple touch might be all it takes to putDestiny: Risingin a league of its own in theDestinyfranchise.
Destiny: Rising
WHERE TO PLAY
Enter an era of heroes and legends, where familiar Destiny faces meet intriguing new characters, each with a rich story, unique personality, and formidable skills. Experience top-tier sci-fi shooting action in FPP or TPP as you embark on a new adventure in an alternate Destiny timeline. Play as these unique characters to defend future Earth and reclaim humanity’s future!
