offering new challenges with each new Destiny expansion, season, and update.
Yet, not all destinations are created equal. Since the introduction of the Destiny Content Vault and some of the key changes Bungie has made to its world-building, some destinations have fallen a bit behind in quality and content, while others have risen to the top to set a new standard for the game.
Nessus
Nessus is one of the few remaining destinations from the base game, so naturally, it has gotten a bit stale over the years due to the introduction of newer areas. It's a "Centaur" minor planet on the edges of the Sol system, overridden by the Vex and transformed into a massive machine world of their creation.
In of activities, it does have a lot of memorable strikes that have been staples of the playlist ever since its introduction, but it doesn't offer much else by way of engagement. The environment is still a visual treat, but by this point, all the secrets it once held have long been uncovered by the community. It is neat to see it slightly evolve over the course of a few seasons, but most players still yawn when any quest brings them back here.
The EDZ
Another staple from Destiny 2's launch, the European Dead Zone is a classic area most known for its appeal to low-level players of the game. Exploring the once-populated ruins of Earth is always special, but it too lacks the allure of new destinations and mysteries to uncover within.
To Bungie's credit, it has been updated significantly over the years, spanning all over its surprisingly massive playspace. That being said, these regions do not offer much in of enemy variety and setting. Its most notable features are its Harbinger quest for Destiny 2's coveted exotic weapons, some fan-favorite strikes, and the newest PsiOps Battlegrounds map with Season of the Risen.
Cosmodrome
The Cosmodrome was un-vaulted during the launch of Beyond Light in 2020, allowing players to return to one of the most nostalgic destinations in franchise history. Granted, it was not quite as expansive as its Destiny counterpart, but it es for a great location for New Light's jumping in for the first time.
With the 30th Anniversary update, the new Grasp of Avarice dungeon set within the famous "Loot Cave" is another main attractor that adds a lot more depth and difficulty for endgame players. Additionally, Bungie has done a great job adding seasonal content and questlines into the fold, adding new obstacles and setpieces that enhance the level design and environment to look like a truly updated version that players can return to.
The Moon
Introduced with Shadowkeep in 2019, The Moon was initially received with some skepticism, as players were worried that returning to another old Destiny location was going to prove unimpressive. Yet, it was overhauled with new zones, a deep underground labyrinth, and new activities to create the feeling of an entirely new experience.
Mainly, the Pit of Heresy dungeon showcased the effort that was put into reshaping the environment and transforming the world in accordance with the Hive's rise to power in Sol System. Altars of Sorrow, the Nightmare Hunts, and the Scarlet Keep strike are all great activities but lack the same replayability features and rewards that other destinations offer. And, to players' surprise, the lost sectors are a massive step up from previous expansions, setting a new standard for newer releases and DLCs to come.
Europa
One of Jupiter's many moons, Europa is a shining example of Bungie's development in world-building and evolution since the franchise's beginnings. It's an ice-covered planet infested by the Fallen House of Darkness and home to the birth of Exos, the Deep Stone Crypt.
While some destinations shine for their content, Europa adds to its value with its stunning environment. The real-time weather system makes the area truly alive, and the variety of locations from frozen, abandoned cityscapes to deep, underground laboratories is nothing less than staggering. The content offered covers everything, with great patrol routes, unique Empire Hunts, Exo challenges, fun secrets, and one of the best raids in the game. If anything, the main criticism lies in that not enough of the massive destination is utilized, so hopefully, future seasons see players return there.
The Dreaming City
The Dreaming City was actually an entirely secret destination, only revealed once the Forsaken was completed upon release. No fan of the franchise could have predicted just how impressive and immersive it would turn out to be, full of secrets, new weapons, and lore to discover. It's a video game world players wish they could be part of.
While it's not quite as large as other destinations, The Dreaming City is a perfect example of quality over quantity. There is perhaps no zone quite as tightly packed with content and achievements like this one, which rallied the community to deep-dive into its zones and explore every inch. It's also home to what is regarded as the best raid in Destiny franchise history, The Last Wish, along with a myriad of other content that does an excellent job in showing off all of its glory. To this day, The Dreaming City has set a new standard in of the quality players hope for with each annual release.
Savathun's Throne World
With Savathun's Throne World, it's as if Bungie took the best of every destination and compiled it into a single, ultimate collection of beauty and creativity. From the Light-blessed fortress at the center to the deep "Old Chicago"-inspired swamps of its outskirts, Savathun's Throne World encapsulates everything Destiny 2 wants to be as an action-MMO.
In many ways, the campaign is responsible for how incredible the Throne World destination is. It's got sprawling levels within that just go deeper and deeper, rivaling level design qualities such as Halo or Doom. It's also home to the new Destiny 2 weapon-crafting system on Mars, which massively changes the depth of loot investment in new and rewarding ways. There's just so much here, with new public events, challenging puzzles, memorable strikes, a 6-player matchmade activity, and much more. If anything, the most exciting piece is to see what mysteries are still to be uncovered.
