Destiny 2: Lightfall

The overall reception of Destiny 2: Lightfall highlights several positive aspects that many critics acknowledged, particularly its gameplay innovations and quality-of-life improvements. Reviewers like GGRecon (4.5/5) praised it as "exceptional" and a culmination of Destiny 2’s growth, emphasizing its narrative, mechanics, and role in Bungie’s broader vision. The introduction of the Strand subclass was widely celebrated, with PC Gamer, IGN, and TheGamer noting its creative potential and engaging combat dynamics. Additionally, GamesRadar+ and TheXboxHub highlighted streamlined systems, post-campaign content, and strong gunplay, while We Got This Covered commended the expansion for elevating Destiny 2’s "power fantasy" and accessibility. The Raid and visual design also received praise, with TheGamer and PSX Brasil noting their standout quality. These elements collectively suggest that Lightfall succeeded in refining core mechanics and offering enjoyable gameplay experiences. However, the expansion faced significant criticism for its narrative shortcomings and structural issues. Many reviewers, including PC Gamer, IGN, and GamesRadar+, described it as a "step backward" from The Witch Queen, citing a weak story, unresolved plot threads, and tonal inconsistencies. The campaign’s lack of emotional depth and pacing problems were recurring complaints, with Finger Guns calling it Bungie’s "weakest expansion" and GamingBolt noting its underdeveloped mechanics. Critics like Dexerto and Slant Magazine pointed to incohesive storytelling and poor difficulty scaling, while TheEnemy and Digital Chumps emphasized that the narrative failed to meet expectations. Additionally, GameSpot and COGconnected criticized the expansion for feeling rushed or disjointed, with some suggesting it served more as a "setup" for future content than a satisfying conclusion. These issues overshadowed many of the positive aspects, leaving players unimpressed despite technical and mechanical strengths. The overall consensus among critics is that Destiny 2: Lightfall is a mixed experience, leaning toward disappointment but with notable redeeming qualities. While it introduced compelling mechanics like Strand and improved accessibility, its narrative and structural flaws prevented it from living up to the high standards set by previous expansions. GGRecon and We Got This Covered offered more optimistic takes, framing it as a strong addition to the franchise, but most reviewers, including IGN, GamesRadar+, and TheGamer, felt it fell short of expectations. The expansion’s ability to retain core fan engagement through gameplay and quality-of-life updates contrasted with its failure to deliver a cohesive or emotionally resonant story. Ultimately, Lightfall is seen as a step forward in some areas but a missed opportunity to fully capitalize on the saga’s potential, leaving many fans eager for future content to address its shortcomings.