Destiny 2: The Witch Queen

The overall verdict of Destiny 2: The Witch Queen is overwhelmingly positive, with critics praising its narrative depth, gameplay innovations, and artistic direction. Multiple reviewers highlight it as Bungie’s best expansion yet, noting its compelling story, immersive world-building, and refined mechanics. Checkpoint Gaming calls it “the best expansion since The Taken King,” while Dexerto lauds it as “Bungie’s best expansion yet,” emphasizing its strong narrative and engaging gameplay. TheXboxHub and GamingBolt both commend its revitalization of Destiny 2’s endgame content, with the latter calling it a “fantastic addition” for fans. Critics like TheGamer and Press Start Australia celebrate its evolution as a “bold elevation” of the series, with TheGamer noting it represents the “culmination of Destiny 2’s evolution.” The expansion’s visual design, storytelling, and new features—such as the Witch Queen’s lore and the Vault of Glass raid—are frequently highlighted as standout elements. Even IGN (PC) acknowledges its “significant improvements in story, gameplay, and content,” positioning it as a high point for the franchise. Despite these accolades, several critics point to notable drawbacks that temper the enthusiasm. The expansion faces criticism for being unfriendly to newcomers, with Checkpoint Gaming noting its “poor UI and content removal practices” and CGMagazine highlighting challenges for players unfamiliar with Destiny’s complex lore. The Games Machine and PC Gamer critique issues like paywalls, content fragmentation, and balance problems, while Hardcore Gamer argues it lacks innovation in gameplay mechanics. Windows Central and Vandal point to flawed systems such as weapon crafting and raid design, and SomosXbox mentions repetitive gameplay and a lack of new content. Additionally, IGN (XBOX) and PC Gamer note technical issues and a “lack of PvP updates,” which may alienate some players. Critics like God is a Geek and Gamer.no also express concerns about accessibility, with the latter lamenting the “complexity for newcomers” and the former calling it a “veteran-focused experience.” These critiques underscore persistent challenges in making the game more inclusive while maintaining its depth. The consensus among critics is that Destiny 2: The Witch Queen is a triumph for long-time fans, representing Bungie’s peak in terms of storytelling and gameplay execution. While acknowledging its flaws, most reviewers agree it is one of the franchise’s strongest entries. Multiplayer.it calls it a “magistrale” (masterpiece), and GameSpot describes it as “the game’s best form yet,” emphasizing its refined gameplay and narrative. Even critics with reservations, like PC Gamer and IGN, recognize its significance as a “top-tier expansion” that sets a high bar for future content. The expansion’s ability to rekindle interest in the series—as noted by Post Arcade and NME—further solidifies its impact. While challenges like accessibility and technical issues remain, the overwhelming majority of critics view The Witch Queen as a landmark achievement that revitalizes Destiny 2 and cements Bungie’s creative prowess. As Everyeye.it puts it, it is “the best campaign in Destiny 2’s history,” encapsulating the critical acclaim that defines its legacy.