Destiny 2 is a free-to-play online first-person shooter video game created by Bungie. It was first released as a paid game in 2017 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows. In October 2019, the game became free-to-play under the name New Light, using a model where the game is continuously updated. It was later released on Stadia in November 2019 and on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S platforms in December 2020. Activision published the game until December 31, 2018, when Bungie took over the publishing rights. Destiny 2 is the sequel to the 2014 game Destiny and its expansions.
The game is set in a "mythic science fiction" world, featuring a multiplayer environment where all players share the same world, with elements of role-playing games. Activities are divided into player versus environment (PvE) and player versus player (PvP) modes. PvE includes story missions, three-player "strikes," dungeons, and six-player raids. A free roam patrol mode is available for each destination, offering public events and activities not found in the original game. These activities focus on exploring locations and interacting with non-player characters (NPCs), unlike the original Destiny, which only had NPCs in social areas. PvP includes objective-based modes and traditional deathmatch formats.
Players take the role of a Guardian, protectors of Earth’s last safe city, who use a power called Light to defend humanity from alien races and the threat of Darkness. The game includes expansion packs that add new story content and features. Year One of Destiny 2 included two small expansions: Curse of Osiris (December 2017) and Warmind (May 2018). Year Two began with Forsaken (September 2018), which introduced a seasonal model with smaller content packs released between expansions. Year Three started with Shadowkeep (October 2019), which marked the beginning of standalone releases for each expansion, not requiring previous purchases. New Light, the free-to-play version, included access to the first two expansions. Seasonal passes were also introduced for each season’s content.
Year Four brought major changes, with nearly half of the game’s content from the first three years, including the original campaign and earlier expansions, moved to the Destiny Content Vault. Year Four began with the fifth expansion, Beyond Light (November 2020), which introduced the power of Darkness. Bungie described this as the start of a new era, followed by The Witch Queen (February 2022) and Lightfall (February 2023). The Final Shape (June 2024) marked the end of Destiny’s first saga, "The Light and Darkness Saga," and changed the seasonal model to three large episodes instead of four seasons, still using season passes.
The second saga, "The Fate Saga," began with The Edge of Fate (July 2025), starting Year Eight, called the "Year of Prophecy." This changed the content delivery model to two large seasons each year, with each season beginning with a mid-sized expansion followed by a free "major update" midway through the season. Expansions require purchase, but major updates are free for all players. Season passes were renamed "reward passes." Year Eight’s second expansion, Renegades (December 2025), was influenced by Star Wars, with Bungie collaborating with Lucasfilm Games on its story and gear. Expansions planned for Year Nine are Shattered Cycle and The Alchemist, originally scheduled for summer and winter 2026, but delayed due to Renegades’ major update.
Destiny 2 received generally favorable reviews from critics upon release. Praise focused on improvements to the story, gameplay, visuals, exploration, multiplayer, and public events. Reviews were mixed about weapon recategorization, the Leviathan raid, and new modes. The game was nominated for and won awards, including at The Game Awards 2017 and Game Critics Awards.
Gameplay
Destiny 2 is a first-person shooter game that includes role-playing and multiplayer features. Like the original Destiny, it allows players to team up with others through matchmaking. In the original game, players could only communicate with others matched by the game and had to use console messaging systems until in-game text chat was added later. Destiny 2 uses a better matchmaking system called "Guided Games," which helps players find clans needing extra members for raids. Activities in Destiny 2 are split into player versus environment (PvE) and player versus player (PvP) types, similar to the original game.
Players can improve their characters, called Guardians, by earning experience points (EXP). When enough EXP is collected, the character levels up and gains better stats. Starting with the Shadowkeep expansion, the leveling system was replaced with a "season pass" system. Players use EXP to "rank up," earning rewards at each rank. Seasonal rewards end at level 100, but there is no maximum rank. Quests, including main story quests, are tasks given by non-player characters (NPCs) that reward items and EXP. Completing main quests helps advance the game's story.
Destiny 2 has the same three character classes as the original: Warlock, Hunter, and Titan. Each class has upgrades, perks, and three sub-classes that let players customize their play style. After choosing a class, players select a species: Human, Awoken (bluish-gray-skinned descendants of humans), or Exo (humanoid machines). Species choices are cosmetic and do not affect gameplay. Players can create up to three characters, one for each class.
Hunters have access to the Solar-based "Gunslinger" and Void-based "Nightstalker" sub-classes from the original game, with changes to gameplay. Their new sub-class in Destiny 2 is the Arc-based "Arcstrider," replacing the original "Bladedancer." Arcstrider's super ability, "Arc Staff," involves using an electrified staff for fast movement. The Forsaken expansion added three new supers: "Blade Barrage" for Gunslingers (flaming knives), "Spectral Blades" for Nightstalkers (Void daggers through walls), and "Whirlwind Guard" for Arcstriders (blocking and reflecting projectiles).
Warlocks have the Void-based "Voidwalker" and Arc-based "Stormcaller" sub-classes from the original, with changes. Their new sub-class is the Solar-based "Dawnblade," replacing the original "Sunsinger." Dawnblade's super, "Daybreak," creates Solar Light blades to strike enemies mid-air. Forsaken added three new supers: "Nova Warp" for Voidwalkers (Void explosions), "Chaos Reach" for Stormcallers (Arc energy beam), and "Well of Radiance" for Dawnblades (healing aura). However, "Well of Radiance" no longer provides an overshield in the Lightfall expansion.
Titans have the Arc-based "Striker" and Solar-based "Sunbreaker" sub-classes from the original, with changes. Their new sub-class is the Void-based "Sentinel," replacing the original "Defender." Sentinel's super, "Sentinel Shield," allows players to summon a shield for defense or offense. Forsaken added three new supers: "Thundercrash" for Strikers (air slam), "Burning Maul" for Sunbreakers (flaming tornadoes), and "Ward of Dawn" for Sentinels (protective barrier for allies).
Beyond Light introduced a fourth sub-class, "Stasis," based on Darkness power, unlike Solar, Arc, and Void, which come from the Light of the Traveler. Stasis is modular, allowing customization of grenade, melee, and protection abilities with added effects called "Aspects." Bungie plans future Darkness powers with similar modularity and will rework Light subclasses. The Void subclasses were updated in The Witch Queen expansion, and Solar and Arc subclasses were revised in later seasons. A new Darkness power, "Strand," was introduced in Lightfall, allowing psychic web-like attacks or grappling hook movement.
Players earn experience through activities like strikes, raids, and dungeons to increase their "Power" level (previously called "Light" level). Initially, Power level was tracked through EXP, but since Shadowkeep, it now reflects the average Power level of a character's gear. Better equipment raises the Power level, improving damage and defense. Gear has "soft" and "hard" Power levels: soft levels are achievable through regular activities, while hard levels require challenging events like Nightfall strikes, dungeons, or raids. Gear can be upgraded using higher-level items for a cost.
Weapons and armor in Destiny 2 are categorized as Kinetic, Energy, and Power. Kinetic weapons include Primary and Special weapons like hand cannons and sidearms. Energy weapons have Light-based elemental damage (Arc, Solar, or Void). Power weapons are separate. Darkness-based weapons are not fully explained in the original text.
Plot
One year after the SIVA Crisis, Cabal forces from the Red Legion attack the Last City by air, destroying the main part of the Tower, which is the headquarters of the Guardians. The player's Guardian and their Ghost help the Vanguard attack the Red Legion's command ship. During the battle, the Guardian faces Dominus Ghaul, the Red Legion's leader. Ghaul's forces attach a device to the Traveler, a powerful being that gives Guardians their strength, and begin taking its energy. The Guardian loses their powers and is almost killed by Ghaul. Two days later, the Guardian wakes up and finds their Ghost, who can still heal them but can no longer bring them back to life. With help from Suraya Hawthorne, a human from the outskirts of the Last City, the Guardian finds a safe place called "the Farm" in the European Dead Zone (EDZ).
The Guardian follows a vision to find a piece of the Traveler hidden in a forest in the EDZ. The Ghost connects with the piece, and the Guardian's ability to use the Light is restored. After restoring long-distance communication, Hawthorne receives a message from Commander Zavala, who asks surviving Guardians to travel to Saturn's moon, Titan, to prepare for a counterattack. Despite Hawthorne's concerns, the Guardian goes to Titan, which has been taken over by the Hive. With help from Deputy Commander Sloane, the Guardian learns that the Red Legion was sent to the Milky Way after a distress call during the Taken War two years earlier. Ghaul has a powerful weapon called the Almighty, a space station that can destroy stars. Resistance against Cabal rule has caused entire star systems to be destroyed. The Almighty is located near the Sun, where it is breaking up the planet Mercury for fuel. Zavala sends the Guardian to find Ikora Rey and Cayde-6 to help retake the Last City.
It is revealed that Ghaul, with the help of his mentor, the Consul, overthrew and banished Emperor Calus, taking control of the Cabal. Ghaul has been studying the Traveler to learn how to use the Light. The Guardian finds Cayde-6 on the planet Nessus, which has been almost completely changed by the Vex. With help from Failsafe, an AI from the crashed ship Exodus Black, the Guardian frees Cayde from a Vex trap and takes a teleporter to help retake the city. Cayde tells the Guardian to find Ikora on the Jovian moon of Io, where she has gone to learn more about the Traveler. Ikora and researcher Asher Mir direct the Guardian to find a Warmind, an ancient AI, for information about the Almighty. The Warmind reveals that destroying the Almighty would also destroy the Sun.
The Vanguard meets at the Farm and decides the only way to retake the Last City and save the Traveler is to shut down the Almighty first. The Guardian boards the Almighty using a stolen Cabal ship and disables the weapon, signaling Zavala to begin the counterattack. As the Vanguard attacks, the Consul criticizes Ghaul for his obsession with the Traveler and suggests taking the Light by force instead of trying to earn it. Ghaul refuses until the Consul kills the Speaker, whom Ghaul had captured and tortured to learn about the Traveler. Ghaul then declares he will take the Light by force and kills the Consul in anger.
The Guardian returns to Earth to help in the counterattack and uses Cayde's Vex teleporter to infiltrate Ghaul's command ship alone to save the Traveler. Ghaul takes the Light and uses it against the Guardian, but the Guardian defeats Ghaul. Ghaul then becomes a large, ghost-like figure and speaks directly to the Traveler. The Traveler awakens from its long sleep, destroys the device taking its energy, and kills Ghaul. It sends a powerful shockwave across the solar system, restoring the Light to all Guardians and destroying the Red Legion's forces. The game ends with a message from the Speaker, reminding everyone that the Light cannot be stopped. The Guardian and Ghost meet with Zavala, Ikora, Cayde, and Hawthorne at an undamaged part of the Tower, where the Vanguard resumes their duties and Hawthorne takes a new role. In a post-credits scene, the shockwave from the Traveler is shown spreading beyond the solar system, revealing a fleet of dark, pyramid-shaped ships in space.
After Ghaul's defeat, a massive Cabal ship called the Leviathan appears in orbit around Nessus, controlled by the exiled Emperor Calus. Calus invites Guardians to complete challenges before reaching his throne ("Leviathan" raid). A team of Guardians completes the challenges and defeats a mechanical copy of Calus, only to learn the real Calus is speaking through the machine, claiming that the truth is different from what the Speaker told them.
With the release of the free-to-play New Light version of Destiny 2 in October 2019, Bungie changed the game's beginning for new players. The first mission from the original Destiny was reintroduced as the starting mission. After completing this mission, players are taken to the Tower, where they meet NPCs and begin the Destiny 2 campaign (The Red War), as well as the Curse of Osiris and Warmind campaigns, after talking to Amanda Holliday in the Tower Hangar. Returning players could play this mission by creating a new character.
With the release of the Beyond Light expansion in November 2020, the original Destiny 2 campaign (The Red War), along with content from Curse of Osiris and Warmind, was removed from the game and placed into the Destiny Content Vault. Players can no longer access this content, though Bungie may add it back in the future. In-game, the removal is explained by planets being taken over by the Darkness. Bungie introduced a new player experience to help new players learn about the Destiny universe. This experience includes a quest to the Cosmodrome, giving new Guardians a more detailed origin story. A new NPC was added to guide new players. Experienced players can play this quest by visiting an abandoned kiosk in the Tower and H.E.L.M. social spaces.
Like the original Destiny, the game begins with a cinematic showing a landing pod arriving on Mars. Three astronauts exit the pod and discover a large, glowing sphere in the sky. A narration explains the history of the Traveler, the Darkness, and the Golden Age of humanity before the first Collapse caused by the Darkness. The game then starts with the Guardian's Ghost searching through the ruins of Old Russia in the Cosmodrome until it finds and resurrects the player's Guardian, who had died in an unknown moment of the past. After resurrection, Guardians have no memory of their previous life.
Development
In November 2014, two months after the original Destiny was released, Activision’s chief executive officer, Eric Hirshberg, mentioned that work had begun on future expansion packs and a new full game. According to the original release schedule, Bungie and Activision planned to release new disc-based sequels every two years until 2019, with large downloadable expansions in between. Originally planned for September 2016, Bungie confirmed in February 2016 that a full sequel would be released in 2017. That same month, Christopher Schlerf, a video game writer who worked on Halo 4 and Mass Effect: Andromeda, joined Bungie. In December 2016, Bungie announced that Vicarious Visions would join the development team along with Activision. Unlike the original, it was rumored that Destiny 2 would also release on Microsoft Windows, which was confirmed in March 2017.
In Activision’s 2016 earnings report, Hirshberg said the sequel was still “on track for release this fall [2017].” Activision stated the sequel would “broaden the franchise’s global reach.” Hirshberg added that players who had spent time in the original game would “love” the sequel, and those who had not played Destiny or had not played in a while would also enjoy it.
Bungie had said that players’ characters and progress would carry over into future releases. However, this was only partially true. Characters and progress carried over into Destiny’s expansions, but for the sequel, only players’ characters’ physical appearance carried over if they had reached level 20 and completed the Black Garden quest in the original. Bungie explained that not carrying over progression and items allowed them to introduce major improvements for the sequel. Veteran players in Destiny 2 were given in-game emblems to recognize their accomplishments in the original game. Players’ characters, progress, and items remain accessible in the original Destiny, which will continue to be online.
On March 23, 2017, a promotional poster for the sequel was leaked, revealing the game’s name as Destiny 2 and a release date of September 8, 2017, with a public beta. The poster showed that Destiny 2, like the original, would have PlayStation exclusive content. On March 27, 2017, Bungie tweeted an image of Destiny 2, showing The Last City in flames with “Destiny” and a large “2” over the Traveler. This was followed by a teaser trailer narrated by Cayde-6, which showed the Tower under attack by the Cabal, an enemy race from the original game. PlayStation’s YouTube channel confirmed timed exclusive content for PlayStation 4 until at least fall 2018. A full reveal trailer showed the three class Vanguards—Commander Zavala (Titan), Cayde-6 (Hunter), and Ikora Rey (Warlock)—rallying Guardians in the war-torn Tower. The Cabal are led by Ghaul, the commander of the Red Legion. The trailers confirmed that Lance Reddick, Nathan Fillion, and Gina Torres would reprise their roles as the Vanguards, and Nolan North would return as Ghost, the Guardian’s AI companion. Bungie streamed gameplay of Destiny 2 on May 18. Other actors reprising their roles included Bill Nighy, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Peter Stormare, Lennie James, Claudia Black, and James Remar, along with new voices Frank Langella, Joy Osmanski, and H. Jon Benjamin. After Reddick’s death in March 2023, his role as Commander Zavala was taken over by Keith David starting in August 2023.
On May 19, 2017, Destiny 2 project lead Mark Noseworthy told IGN there were no plans for a Nintendo Switch version. The Microsoft Windows version of Destiny 2 supports 4K resolution, uncapped frame rate, full mouse and keyboard support, text chat, adjustable field of view, and 21:9 monitor support. It was exclusive to Blizzard’s Battle.net service at launch. The PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X, updated versions of their consoles, supported 4K enhancements and HDR. However, console versions were locked at 30fps. Destiny 2’s servers use a mix of dedicated servers and peer-to-peer networking, ensuring smoother gameplay. Lead engineer Matt Segur explained that every activity in Destiny 2 is hosted by a server, preventing host migrations during raids or trials, unlike the original game.
Grimoire cards from the original game, which detailed the lore of Destiny, were not included in Destiny 2. Bungie shifted focus to in-game storytelling, which was criticized in the original. Artifacts in Destiny 2 can be scanned by Ghost to provide lore details. Exotic and legendary gear also have lore tabs. At E3 2017, a cinematic trailer narrated by Ghaul showed Bungie’s focus on deeper storytelling. The release date was moved up to September 6, 2017, with the Windows version launching on October 24. Beta access dates were confirmed at E3 2017. Early access for pre-order customers began on July 18 (PS4) and July 19 (Xbox One), with non-pre-order customers starting July 21. The console beta ended July 25, and the PC beta ran from August 29 to August 31.
In early 2025, after announcing a release date for the upcoming Marathon reboot, Bungie stated it would continue supporting Destiny 2 indefinitely.
The original Destiny score was composed by Michael Salvatori, Skye Lewin, C. Paul Johnson, Rotem
Release
Destiny 2 was released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on September 6, 2017. The Microsoft Windows version was released worldwide on October 24, 2017. The game had several editions, including a Collector's Edition, a Limited Edition, a Digital Deluxe Edition, and a standard base game. Like the original Destiny, an Expansion Pass was included, which gave players access to the first two expansions of Destiny 2. Pre-orders for the game provided early access to the beta version and other in-game bonuses, such as early access to the exotic weapon "Coldheart." Pre-orders from GameStop included a Cayde-6 collectible figure. Other figures, like Lord Saladin, were released after the game launched on consoles. Because of an exclusivity agreement with Sony Interactive Entertainment, the PlayStation 4 version of Destiny 2 had exclusive content until late 2018. This exclusive content ended with the release of the Shadowkeep expansion in October 2019.
The Collector's Edition of Destiny 2 included the base game in a SteelBook case, the Expansion Pass, a themed backpack, a "Frontier Kit" with a solar panel USB charger, paracord, and a solar blanket, a 15" laptop/tablet sleeve, a Cabal-themed collector's box with items, and premium digital content. The Limited Edition, sold only through GameStop, had the same physical and digital items as the Collector's Edition but without the backpack, "Frontier Kit," and laptop/tablet sleeve. The Digital Deluxe Edition included all the premium digital content. A limited-time PlayStation 4 bundle also included a glacier white PlayStation 4 Pro, Destiny 2, the Expansion Pass, and premium digital content.
The Windows version was first available through Blizzard Battle.net, making it the first non-Blizzard Entertainment game on the platform. In January 2019, Bungie and Activision ended their publishing agreement, and Bungie became the publisher for the PC version. The Windows version stayed on Battle.net for several months but moved to Steam with the release of the Shadowkeep expansion in October 2019. After Bungie was acquired by Sony, Destiny 2 was added to the Epic Games Store in August 2022.
With the release of the Shadowkeep expansion in October 2019, Bungie changed how the game was paid for. They added cross-saving, allowing players to transfer characters between platforms. They also partnered with Google to offer Destiny 2 on Stadia, a game streaming service. At the same time, Bungie made the base game, the Leviathan raid, and many player-versus-player modes free in the "New Light" version. Players could still buy expansions like Forsaken and Shadowkeep separately. Shadowkeep and future expansions are standalone experiences, not requiring previous content. A battle pass system was introduced, with two reward tiers: one free and one for players who bought the season pass. Both New Light and the Shadowkeep expansion were released after Bungie took over publishing rights from Activision.
In June 2020, Bungie announced that it would retire some less-used content into a "Destiny Content Vault" (DCV) to manage the game's growing size. Players could later access updated versions of these areas, such as the Moon from the Shadowkeep expansion. For example, the Leviathan area returned during "Season of the Haunted" with The Witch Queen, with new activities and map changes. Bungie said this was an alternative to making a new Destiny 3 game. By August 2022, they improved the game's technology and no longer vaulted expansion content.
Bungie confirmed that Earth's Cosmodrome patrol location and strikes would return in seasons 12 and 13, and the original game's Vault of Glass raid would return in Season 14. They planned at least two more years of content, starting with the Beyond Light expansion on November 10, 2020, followed by The Witch Queen (delayed to early 2022) and Lightfall (delayed to early 2023). Bungie said they did not want to make a Destiny 3 game and instead focused on building upon Destiny 2. A final chapter, The Final Shape, concluded the first saga of Destiny, called the "Light and Darkness Saga," and began a new saga for the franchise.
In May 2020, Bungie announced support for next-generation consoles, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, with native 4K resolution at 60fps. The Xbox Series S would run at 1080p. Cross-play was supported between PlayStation 4 and 5 at launch, and across all platforms starting with Season 15 in 2021. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions released on December 8, 2020. Players on older consoles could update to newer versions for free and transfer their content. Field of view customization was also added.
In early 2021, Bungie announced plans to expand the Destiny IP beyond video games, creating a "Destiny Universe." Luke Smith and Mark Noseworthy were named executive creative director and vice president of Bungie's new Destiny Universe division, while Justin Truman became general manager for Destiny 2.
Before the console release, Bungie said they had already started working on post-release content. They aimed to provide updates more frequently than the original Destiny, which had little content after launch. One solution was the introduction of Adventures and Lost Sectors.
Reception
Destiny 2 received "generally favorable" reviews, according to Metacritic, a website that collects and summarizes game reviews. Some reviewers called the game "Destiny 1.5" because it shares many similarities with the original Destiny. However, they praised improvements made compared to the first game.
Gameplay was highly praised by many reviewers. Chris Carter of Destructoid said the game "nails" the most important aspects of gameplay. Matt Miller of Game Informer noted that the game has "remarkably taut FPS gunplay" combined with "seemingly magical powers." Miller also said the biggest change to gameplay—reorganizing destinations and emphasizing exploration—was a welcome improvement. Evan Slead of Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) praised the exploration but disliked how weapons were recategorized. He said Kinetic weapons "didn’t seem to pack as much of a punch" as Energy weapons. Cody Perez of Game Revolution, however, welcomed the recategorized weapons, calling Bungie "masters of gun-play." Kallie Plagge of GameSpot said the game has a similar structure to the original, including "mechanically excellent shooting" and a "satisfying loot grind." Carter praised the Lost Sectors, public events, and post-campaign story quests. Miller said Lost Sectors were fun but became less interesting over time. Perez disliked the Adventures and Lost Sectors activities, calling them "filler content" that was "monotonous and a bore." He praised public events for being periodic and less disruptive.
The Leviathan raid received both praise and criticism. Miller of Game Informer called it "one of Bungie's most intricate and fascinating environments" but criticized the award system for separating "the excitement of new gear from the moment of victory." Slead of EGM said the post-campaign quests, Strikes, and weekly Nightfall activity remain central to Destiny. Perez of Game Revolution, who did not play the original game’s raids, said the Leviathan raid "exceeded its hype." Plagge of GameSpot said solving the raid’s puzzles could be "rewarding and frustrating," but "each failure teaches you something new."
The original Destiny was criticized for its story, but Destiny 2 was praised for improving the story and making the universe’s lore easier to access. Slead of EGM said the story is "more robust" and that Bungie fixed the "meandering storytelling" from the first game. Carter of Destructoid said the story is "easy to follow" and "easier to get invested in," with the game’s characters taking center stage. Perez of Game Revolution said the story "gripped" him like Bungie’s former series Halo. He noted the game has a "meaningful narrative" with a "fleshed-out villain." Plagge of GameSpot said the story serves its purpose well and praised its "mournful soundtrack."
Miller of Game Informer said the Crucible mode feels more competitive than the original Destiny’s, with teamwork being "highly valued." However, he was confused by the decision to force players into one of two playlists instead of letting them choose. He was indifferent to the change of making all modes four-versus-four but said the smaller group size "demands everyone pull their weight." Perez of Game Revolution said Crucible did not receive the same attention as the singleplayer content. He noted that smaller map sizes made multiplayer "non-stop action," leaving little time to strategize. David Houghton of GamesRadar+ said the changes to Crucible "shine" in a "tight, focused, clear, and tactically co-operative format."
Destiny 2 sold 50,263 copies on PlayStation 4 in its first week in Japan, making it the top-selling game that week. It also reached number one on the UK sales chart for the weekend of September 23. Destiny 2 was the second-highest-grossing console game of 2017 in North America (behind Call of Duty: WWII) and Activision’s biggest PC release based on units sold. More than half of the game’s sales came from digital downloads.
Despite strong initial sales, the game did not generate the recurring revenue Activision wanted. As a result, Activision ended its publishing deal with Bungie in 2019. In 2023, Bungie cut 8% of its staff due to projected revenue shortfalls.
At the 2017 Game Critics Awards, Destiny 2 won "Best PC Game" for E3 2017. At The Game Awards 2017, it received six nominations, the most of any game that year, for categories including Best Art Direction, Best Score/Music, Best Audio Design, Best Ongoing Game, Best Action Game, and Best Multiplayer. Entertainment Weekly ranked Destiny 2 sixth on its "Best Games of 2017" list. GamesRadar+ and Eurogamer both ranked it seventh on their 2017 lists, while Polygon ranked it 12th and The Verge named it one of its 15 Best Games of 2017. In Game Informer’s Reader’s Choice Awards, it came in second for "Best Co-op Multiplayer" and "Best Shooter." It also won "Best Weaponry" and "Best Gunplay" in their 2017 Shooter of the Year Awards.
Destiny 2 was nominated for "Best PC Game" in Destructoid’s and IGN’s 2017 Game of the Year Awards. IGN also nominated it for "Game of the Year," "Best Xbox One Game," "Best Shooter," "Best Graphics," "Best Original Music," and "Best Multiplayer." It won "Best Co-op Game" in PC Gamer’s 2017 Game of the Year Awards and received a nomination for "Game of the Year." It was also a runner-up for "Best-Looking Game," "Best Multiplayer," and "Game of the Year" in Giant Bomb’s 2017 Game of the Year Awards.