Destiny 2’s Even Slower Episodic Storytelling Is Not Working In ‘Echoes’

2024-07-24

Destiny 2's Episodic Storytelling: A Perplexing Conundrum

As a devoted Destiny 2 player, I find myself in a state of conflicted contemplation, akin to Larry David's iconic head-tilting GIF, as I grapple with the game's new episodic storytelling approach. While the volume of content is undeniably impressive, with the introduction of strike-like Battlegrounds and other engaging activities, the storytelling itself has left me perplexed and unsatisfied.

Navigating the Labyrinth of Destiny 2's Episodic Narrative

The Vex Enigma: A Persistent Challenge

The Vex have long been a source of intrigue and frustration for Destiny 2 players, as the game has yet to deliver a truly compelling Vex-based storyline. This season's narrative arc has done little to change that perception, leaving players yearning for a more captivating exploration of this enigmatic faction.

The Vex's role in the current storyline feels disjointed and disconnected, failing to provide the depth and cohesion that players have come to expect from Destiny's narrative. The constant shifting between different narrative threads, with the promise of a new "Conductor" antagonist looming on the horizon, only serves to exacerbate the sense of narrative fragmentation.

As the season progresses, the pacing of the story has become increasingly erratic, with three-week cycles of story content followed by three-week breaks. This episodic approach, while intended to provide players with the freedom to consume the narrative at their own pace, has instead created a sense of disjointed and disjointed storytelling.

The Ebb and Flow of Narrative Pacing

The current season's storytelling structure has left many players feeling frustrated and disconnected from the overarching narrative. The pattern of three weeks of story content followed by three weeks of downtime has created a sense of narrative whiplash, with players struggling to maintain a consistent investment in the unfolding events.

The decision to potentially condense all of the story content into the launch of each "Act" is an intriguing one, but it comes with its own set of challenges. While this approach may allow players to consume the narrative at their own pace, it also risks creating extended periods of narrative drought, with five weeks or more between significant story developments.

Furthermore, the concern that the story content will be primarily focused on repetitive activities, such as collecting random items and running seasonal activities multiple times, raises questions about the depth and quality of the narrative experience. The risk of the story feeling like a mere backdrop to the grind of these activities is a valid concern that Bungie will need to address.

Seeking a Balanced Approach to Destiny 2's Storytelling

The original model of 7-9 weeks of continuous story content, followed by a holiday event and a final quest or exotic quest launch, seems to have been a more effective approach to Destiny 2's narrative. This consistent pacing allowed players to immerse themselves in the unfolding events and maintain a stronger connection to the overall storyline.

Stretching out the timeline with even longer seasons may alleviate the issue of narrative gaps, but it also risks creating a sense of fatigue and disengagement among players. The challenge lies in finding the right balance between providing a cohesive and engaging narrative experience while also respecting the realities of an ongoing live-service game.

Ultimately, the success of Destiny 2's episodic storytelling will depend on Bungie's ability to address the pacing and structure issues that have arisen. By finding a way to seamlessly integrate the narrative with the gameplay, and by ensuring that each story arc is compelling and impactful, the studio can potentially overcome the current challenges and deliver a more satisfying experience for players.

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