Destiny 2 has been a target of much buzz and controversy in the past years. The game has oscillated between dominance and decadence, and it’s hard to know if it’s worth coming back to the game or taking the plunge into it altogether.
The game hasn’t been in its best shape (or in a good shape, period) for some time. A delayed update during a stark content draught is the last thing Destiny 2 needed, even if Bungie is adding some quality-of-life improvements.
Still, there’s something that keeps players tethered to it. Maybe you’ve heard the fervor in a friend’s words when talking about their time, or you looked at the Hive and thought that was cool, or maybe you just want to know what the fuss is about. Here’s why we think it may be worth trying Destiny 2, as long as you know what you’re getting into.
Is Destiny 2 worth starting in 2026?
This may be a controversial opinion, but yes, it’s worth starting Destiny 2 right now—though with big caveats.
If you’re a fan of looter shooters and space magic, Destiny 2‘s gunplay is unparalleled. There’s a reason the franchise still has an ardent following 10 years later.
The financial barrier to try it isn’t huge: a good chunk of the game is free to play and expansions often come with major discounts. You can snag the Legacy Collection for less than $10 on Steam sales, getting you the lion’s share of content for cheap. It’s more than worth the buy-in if the game interests you in the slightest, even if you’d like to save it for a dry spell in your favorite games.
That said, the new player experience is labyrinthine at best. It takes a considerable amount of time and effort to feel like you’re only half lost. The dwindling player count means it’s trickier to find active clans to play with or other guardians to help, and it’s hard to find resources for new players that have the necessary depth to figure out its systems. Not even Bungie succeeded.
Diving into Destiny 2 would be like starting to watch Game of Thrones now. You won’t have many new people to share the hype with, and those you do come across may be burned out or disenchanted. But it’s hard to find anything else like it, even with its blatant downsides, and you could find yourself hooked by the time you start remembering everyone’s names. At the end of the day, if Destiny 2 really clicks with you, it’s best to play a bad version than to not have played at all.
Is it worth returning to Destiny 2 in 2026?
If you already know how Destiny 2 goes, the answer is a bit trickier and depends on how long it’s been since you last logged in.
The Final Shape put a riveting end to the Light and Dark saga, closing out a narrative that’s been going on for the past 10 years. That alone is worth the $10 entrance ticket, even if you’re just coming back to say goodbye. Bonus points if you missed The Witch Queen, almost universally lauded as one of the best DLCs in the game.
If you’ve already seen how the Light and Dark saga ends, though, there’s less to justify a comeback. The Edge of Fate did little to spark the interest of the general playerbase, with flaws too heavy to overcome. Renegades was better, bringing heaps of weapons, a dungeon, and an engaging activity, but it’s not the revolution fans were hoping for.
The game has evolved a lot in the past years—not always for the best—but its core remains the same. If you’re diving back in, what you’re getting is closer to more Destiny than to a better Destiny. Some of it, like Prismatic, the Lawless Frontier, and the stat rework, is indubitably fun enough to keep you busy for a few dozen hours.
Should you play Destiny 2 in 2026?
It’s worth playing Destiny 2, but it’s not worth setting high expectations for it. It’s not terrible enough to consider burning memorabilia or having your Ghost tattoo removed, but it’s safe to assume you’re probably not getting another one. In a sense, it’s like going for House of the Dragon or A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms after being disappointed by Game of Thrones—as good as they may be, it’s still not the same, and there’ll be the lingering feeling that something is missing.
Regardless of how you feel, the community is laden with the unavoidable impression that Destiny 2 has lost its shine, so go in with tempered expectations. If you’re a new player getting into it, you may struggle to shake off the feeling that it could be much more; if you’re coming back, it likely won’t live up to the good old times. Take Destiny 2 for what it has become and dial back the energy you put into the game. Otherwise, being disappointed is almost inevitable.
