New Destiny 2 Concept Art Sheds Just A Little Light On Upcoming Expansion

As a seasoned Guardian, who has traversed through the cosmos and witnessed countless battles against the dark forces that threaten our existence, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation and intrigue upon hearing about Destiny 2‘s next expansion, Codename: Apollo. The concept art and inspirations provided by Bungie have only piqued my curiosity further.


Although specifics about Destiny 2’s upcoming expansion, codenamed Apollo, remain scant, Bungie has given us a peek at what might be in store with some concept art and a list of influences such as The Doors, Slaughterhouse Five, and Scavenger’s Reign, albeit in general terms.

On a recent developer livestream, Bungie gave some insight into Codename: Frontiers, the upcoming phase of Destiny 2’s content set to debut in Summer 2025. This livestream also touched upon Episode: Revenant, which begins on October 8. During the discussion, lead narrative director Alison Luhrs unveiled new sketches for the expansion’s location and hinted at some mysterious elements players can anticipate as Destiny 2 embarks on a fresh chapter of its story.

For the upcoming year starting post-the final episode of “Heresy” in early 2025, Bungie plans to release two substantial expansions rather than one large main event, a departure from Destiny 2’s previous pattern. These expansions will be smaller in scale and offered more frequently, according to Bungie. In terms of size, they are expected to be similar to the original Destiny’s “Rise of Iron” expansion. The first of these expansions, codenamed Apollo, is set to feature a non-linear campaign structure with a Metroidvania gameplay style, enabling players to decide their own path through the content as they acquire new skills.

It’s been confirmed that Apollo will feature a fresh location, yet Bungie has been rather secretive about its specific destination. However, Luhrs did drop a few clues during the stream, suggesting viewers should envision exploring the drawing room of a grand manor. In this scenario, the owner hints at a hidden door, which can be unlocked by moving an object like a book or statue – something that has been visible all along but gains significance once one knows what to look for.

Luhrs also posted concept art that may offer subtle hints about Apollo, although it doesn’t provide significant new information. One illustration depicts a gathering of individuals seemingly engaged in a ritual involving a radiant blue substance (or possibly liquid). The symbols and other components within the image appear unfamiliar, but one recognizable aspect is the backdrop – the concept art employs an image of the Cosmodrome on Earth to create a rugged, forested landscape beyond the structure. The inclusion of an in-game image could simply be filler, yet it might also imply that this new location could be a concealed spot on our planet.

New Destiny 2 Concept Art Sheds Just A Little Light On Upcoming Expansion

The second sketch of conceptual art could support this hypothesis as well. It appears to depict an underworld setting, possibly within a colossal cavern where rocky spires protrude from above. While the details are limited, structures such as staircases can be discerned amidst the rocks, and there may be traces of that distinctive blue energy. This could imply a secret location on our planet, hidden beneath its surface, inhabited by a group of people not previously encountered in Destiny 2.

New Destiny 2 Concept Art Sheds Just A Little Light On Upcoming Expansion

Additionally, developers mentioned some enigmatic sources of inspiration for Apollo, such as the tunes of the ’60s, which spanned acts like The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, and pioneering progressive rock groups such as King Crimson.

Additionally, they brought up Kurt Vonnegut’s novel Slaughterhouse Five—a story centered around a man’s harrowing accounts of the World War II bombing of Dresden and his subsequent captivity as a prisoner of war. The main character, Billy Pilgrim, describes himself as having the ability to move freely through time, as the plot frequently shifts between various stages of his life. Furthermore, he claims to have been held captive on an alien planet called Tralfamadore, and it remains unclear whether these events are based in reality or are merely products of his imagination.

Lastly, Bungie highlighted Scavenger’s Reign, a previously HBO-exclusive animated series now streaming on Netflix. This show follows a band of humans stranded on an extraterrestrial planet following their shipwreck. Robbie Stevens, the assistant game director, pointed out that this series effectively captures the alien world’s peculiarity and enigma.

Apollo remains shrouded in guesswork, but time travel has become central in Destiny 2’s universe, evident after stories such as The Witch Queen expansion where fragments of past Mars appear in the present. With Bungie launching a fresh tale post-The Final Shape expansion, it seems that the future of Destiny 2 may take an unusual turn.

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2024-10-01 23:39