Destiny 2’s Lightfall enlargement how now been out for an entire week. It made a dangerous first impression, however the post-campaign has been a lot stronger. There’s lots to understand in between the disappointing story and the general blended bag of new additions and complicated adjustments. Outside of the jovial surfer cyborg Nimbus, who I’m nonetheless extremely torn on, right here’s the whole lot else I’ve been loving about Lightfall to date.
Grapple, grapple, grapple
It was no secret that Lightfall would introduce a brand new Strand grappling capability to let Guardians swing round, however I had no concept simply how good it could really feel moment-to-moment. Yes, the cooldown time feels a bit brutal, although you possibly can alleviate a number of the ache with the correct construct. But that basically solely underlines simply how enjoyable it’s to do this I want I by no means needed to cease. Like the rigorously calibrated acceleration arc of each thruster soar, the grappling capability looks like making a mini black gap on the map after which slingshotting your self round it.
Warlock Strand gestures
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The different huge part of Strand, at the least for Warlocks, are the Arcane Needles. You can maintain as much as three of those melee capability expenses at a time, they usually fling little inexperienced darts at your enemies. The most satisfying half, nonetheless, is the detailed hand gestures that precede them. Other Destiny 2 melee assaults are like capturing a fireball in Super Mario Bros. Arcane Needle looks like casting an historic and mysterious hex on the universe.
Tower Chicken
With the Traveller gone, darkish pyramids have overtaken Earth’s sky and the Tower is stuffed with new guests. Yes, there are extra Eliksni and Cabal than ever earlier than, however there’s additionally a hen. I have but to find the lore causes for this, however I will use all of my Guardian’s infinite lives to defend it.
Noumena’s skybox
Lightfall’s new patrol zone is a shimmering futuristic metropolis known as Noumena. It doesn’t fairly stay as much as the hype of being a protracted misplaced bustling human colony. It is gorgeous to stare upon, although, particularly once you search for. Bungie’s skyboxes are sometimes second to none, and the view from the highest of Noumena’s skyscrapers all the time stops me in my tracks for a beat or two.
CloudArk theme
The soundtrack for the brand new enlargement is actually sturdy total, veering from a synthy sense of sci-fi discovery to triumphant marches that remix acquainted Cabal battle songs. A mere 20 seconds in, the observe “CloudArk” is what I can’t get out of my head although. Just a few easy notes take the background music for Noumena from conspiratorial, to hopeful optimism, and again once more. It jogs my memory of the primary time I stepped into the Presidium on Mass Effect’s Citadel, and the overwhelming revelation of being a a lot smaller fish in a a lot greater pond.
City murals
Noumena can, at occasions, really feel like an vague swirl of neon teals, scorching pinks, and minty greens. This makes the occasional art work you discover on the edges of buildings that rather more intriguing. The patrol zone is stuffed with little distinctive icons, symbols, and different visible decorations. My favourite is a big mural depicting previous Cloudstriders simply to the correct of the preliminary touchdown space. The pop artwork graffiti homage hints at a stage of humanity and social vibrancy that’s not often present in Destiny 2’s post-apocalyptic world.
Cloud Strider motion figures
Every new enlargement comes with extra collectibles, and Lightfall isn’t any totally different. This time round, the ’80s-inspired cyberpunk city has motion figures scattered round, full within the unique packaging. Now if solely I might show them inside my ship’s cockpit.
Destructible set dressing
Lightfall has a large energy station pc constructing that makes it potential for all its residents to stay within the metaverse. It’s neat to take a look at, and much more spectacular in large shootouts when the whole lot begins to interrupt. Shattered LCD panels. Exploding {hardware}. It’s a small impact that makes the motion much more satisfying, translating a tiny bit of every alien’s tremendous rewarding dying animation into the encompassing atmosphere.
Tormentors
I didn’t just like the enlargement’s predominant story marketing campaign a lot, however I did love these guys. The headless Tormentors, mysterious abominations born of Calus’ organic experiments and newfound alliance with The Darkness, all they wish to do is run at you and hug you to dying. The survival horror-type habits is a refreshing change of tempo, as is the truth that whereas different bosses stomp to drive you away from them, the Tormentors will chase you to remain shut. I hope the raid has an entire room filled with them.
Strand duets
I already talked about how a lot I love the texture of the brand new grappling capability, however I additionally love what gamers have found whereas experimenting with it, like with the ability to lock onto each other and spin round in their very own little cosmic dance or whip round over large chasms with out breaking a sweat.
Nezarec’s creepy whispers
Years in the past, Nearec was simply an previous Exotic helmet that referenced a protracted forgotten legend deep within the recreation’s lore playing cards. Now he’s in every single place and extra necessary than ever. He’s additionally apparently nonetheless very a lot alive and haunting Neomuna. Exploring the town you’ll often hear bizarre whispers, however equip a bit of substances named after the Witness’ previous disciple and you may hear him talking on to you, speaking about how he’s going to interrupt out of his psychic jail and the way the world is doomed—the standard creepy voice stuff. It’s added an entire different dimension to the conventional patrol zone grind.
Verglas Curve
This is a fucking unbelievable Exotic. Part of the season move, it’s a Stasis bow that gives first rate precision injury whereas aiming down the sights and may unleash a number of Stasis arrows when shot sideways from the hip. I don’t suppose I’ve ever used a season move Exotic this a lot earlier than, and I don’t even run Stasis that a lot on my Warlock.
Calus’ eyes
The disgraced Cabal emperor has a brand new Pyramid ship that appears like an enormous plane provider. Always the narcissist, it even has a large sculpture of Calus’ face on the entrance of it. What you won’t have observed, nonetheless, is that the eyes will comply with you as you journey round Neomuna. As identified in Bungie’s Lightfall video documentary, it’s mainly Destiny 2’s Mona Lisa.
Thrilladrome arcade
Who would have guessed the Neomunians had been big avid gamers? The metropolis’s greatest Lost Sector, by far, is the Thrilladrome, a multilevel arcade with a Vex portal on the finish of it. It’s crammed with tons of arcade cupboards, crane video games, and even an esports lounge. “It was the premier destination for Extreme E-Sports,” an NPC named Sam says. “It’s what? Like…video games?” responds your Ghost. “Extreme. E-sports,” Sam fires again. It seems nothing can kill the professional gaming bubble. You may even watch some Vex attempt to play Dance Dance Revolution.
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