Destiny 2 Could Adapt a Key Feature From Its Mobile Counterpart to Enhance Solo Missions

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Destiny 2 Could Adapt a Key Feature From Its Mobile Counterpart to Enhance Solo Missions

Destiny 2 has been one of the longest-running and most successful live-service titles. But while the game excels in delivering high-stakes battles and stunning visuals, its lack of active non-playable characters (NPCs) in solo missions stands out as a missed opportunity.

Destiny: Rising is actually better in this aspect. | Image Credit: Bungie

The game’s mobile counterpart may have already done it better. Destiny Rising may be bogged down by gacha mechanics and subpar voice acting, it does offer active NPC allies in missions. If Bungie takes this idea and puts it into Destiny 2, it’d be a big improvement to solo missions.

Destiny 2 has an NPC problem that Destiny: Rising doesn’t

In Destiny 2, NPCs are largely relegated to static roles. Zavala, Ikora, and Shaxx, for instance, are introduced as legendary figures in the game’s lore. But in actual missions, they don’t do a lot. Zavala might deploy a bubble shield, or Ikora may appear briefly in a cutscene, but that’s about the most that happens.

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Players rarely see these characters engaging in meaningful combat or assisting in gameplay. They also rarely have meaningful roles in the story. This disconnect between the lore and in-game action has led to criticism that Destiny’s NPCs are “glorified comm support,” failing to deliver on the hype surrounding their characters. An improvement on this is definitely part of the bucket list.

Destiny Rising, the mobile counterpart, may not be perfect, but it does this right. Players occasionally team up with characters who not only follow them but also engage in combat, assist with objectives, and react to in-game events. This feature is standard in many games but is surprisingly absent in Destiny 2. And despite its many shortcomings, Rising does it well.

We had a blast watching people play Destiny: Rising, so we’ve put together a special montage

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— Destiny: Rising (@_DestinyRising)

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Bringing active NPC allies into Destiny 2 would be a big deal. Imagine a mission where Zavala or Ikora fight with us. These characters could be scripted to act independently, engaging enemies, providing tactical support, and even delivering unique dialogue tied to the mission’s events. Such interactions would make the world feel more alive and grounded

It isn’t a rare problem and wouldn’t be too hard to fix

Bungie can definitely do it. | Image Credit: Bungie

Destiny 2 is not the only title that has struggled with underutilized NPCs. Warframe, for instance, solved a similar issue by keeping its characters’ roles consistent with their narrative function while surprising players with their involvement during key missions. The game can improve its storytelling by following this formula.

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Integrating NPC companions into Destiny 2 would require thoughtful implementation to avoid disrupting the game’s balance. NPCs should complement, not replace, player actions. These interactions should feel organic and optional, allowing players to tackle missions solo if they prefer.

For example, an NPC ally might hold off waves of enemies while the player completes an objective or provides tactical support in the form of buffs or area control. Additionally, the devs could introduce this feature gradually, testing it in seasonal story missions or special events before making it a staple of the main campaign.

The biggest strength of Destiny 2 is how long its managed to stay alive and fun. Adopting features from Destiny Rising could be the next step in its journey. As the franchise continues to grow, there’s always room to improve and the studios should seize this opportunity.

Do you think Bungie should take this into consideration? let us know in the comments!