The next expansion for Bungie’s popular shooter Destiny is bringing sweeping changes to a few of the game’s fundamental principles. Among the many things getting a facelift are missions, weapons and overall game progression.
Destiny released just under a year ago and at the time had a level cap of 30. You could hit Level 20 by accrueing experience points but you needed to harvest an attribute called Light to hit the next ten. The Dark Below, the game’s first expansion, raised the level cap to 32. The second, House of Wolves, took it to 34.
According to the cover story in this month’s issue of Game Informer, The Taken King will raise the level cap again to 40. Not only that, the expansion will retool the entire level progression system meaning that you no longer need to harvest Light to reach higher levels. You’ll be able to grind for XP from top to bottom. Ranking up will open up new weapons and armour and you’ll still be able to create ridiculous power builds to put you way above the normal Level 40’s. The loot system is also getting an overhaul in order to better take your current gear into consideration. This should mean that you’ll get fewer dupes and actually get gear that’s above what you’re currently using and carrying.
In a surprise move, The Taken King is recasting one of Destiny‘s principle voice roles – that of Ghost, played originally by Peter Dinklage. His rather flat vocal stylings will be replaced by those of voice acting veteran Nolan North. North will become the voice of Ghost during all of The Taken King‘s missions and Bungie have even gone so far as to have him re-record all of Dinklage’s dialogue. The new expansion erases Dinklage’s contribution to the game entirely which may seem harsh but cast your mind back to how much it felt like he sleepwalked through that role and you may find yourself on board with the decision.
The Game Informer story also says that any legendary gear (or Year One gear as Bungie have taken to calling it) won’t be getting any stronger than they are now. The Taken King begins Year Two which means any Year One gear will absolutely be enough to get you through the first few areas of the expansion, you’ll find the high end gear you’ve come to know and love being cast aside in favour of bigger, better Year Two fare almost immediately. RIP 365-att Fatebringers and Found Verdicts.
“There are definitely some weapons that you are going to find better versions of — there’s going to be something that replaces that sniper rifle that you love,” said Luke Smith, creative director on The Taken King, in an interview with Game Informer.
Destiny: The Taken King is coming September 15 on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One.
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