Destiny 2 review: 7 years in, the looter-shooter that defined a genre is still worth playing

Destiny 2 review

Destiny 2 in 2026 is the most content-rich looter-shooter on the market. The gunplay is unmatched, the raids are the best in the genre, and the seasonal updates keep the game fresh. The grind is real, but the payoff is worth it.

The gunplay

Destiny 2's gunplay is the headline. Every weapon feels distinct — the hand cannons are punchy, the auto rifles are precise, the shotguns are devastating. The gunplay is the most polished in the looter-shooter genre, and the 2026 weapon balance pass made it even better.

The 2026 version has 100+ weapons across 9 weapon types. The most popular:

• Hand cannons — the primary PvP weapon. Every loadout starts with one.
• Auto rifles — the primary PvE weapon. The most versatile weapon type.
• Shotguns — the close-range option. The PvP meta revolves around shotguns.
• Snipers — the long-range option. The PvE meta revolves around heavy snipers.
• Rocket launchers — the heavy weapon. The damage-dealing option for boss fights.

The gunplay depth is the reason Destiny 2 is worth the grind. The endgame is balanced around the most skilled players, and the skill ceiling is the highest in the genre.

The endgame

Destiny 2's endgame is the deepest in the looter-shooter space. The major modes:

• Raids — 6-player co-op, 30+ minute encounters, 6+ difficulty tiers. The raids are the best in the genre.
• Dungeons — 3-player co-op, 15-20 minute encounters. The dungeons are the best in the genre.
• Nightfalls — 3-player strike-like content. The PvE skill ceiling is high.
• Trials of Osiris — 3v3 PvP, the top-tier PvP mode. The PvP is balanced around skill, not gear.
• Crucible — 6v6 PvP. The casual PvP mode.
• Gambit — PvPvE mode. The hybrid mode.

The 2026 expansion added two new raids and a new dungeon. The endgame is more content-rich than ever.

The free-to-play model

Destiny 2's F2P model is complex. The base game is free, but the expansions are paid:

• The base game is free. Includes the original campaign, 3 subclasses, and most of the core modes.
• The expansions (Forsaken, Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, The Witch Queen, Lightfall, The Final Shape) are paid. Each expansion is $30-50.
• The seasons are paid for the expansion owners. Free players get access to the seasonal content at a slower pace.

The monetization is honest: you can play the base game for free, but the full experience requires the expansions. The 2026 "F2P-friendly" pass added more free content, but the experience is still fragmented for free players.

The grind

The grind is the price of admission. Destiny 2 expects 2-4 hours of daily play to keep up with the seasonal content:

• Daily login bonuses — small but meaningful.
• Weekly raid — required for the highest-tier rewards.
• Seasonal challenges — 100+ challenges per season, takes 10-20 hours.
• Power grinding — the main endgame grind, takes 5-10 hours per season.

If you can commit 2-3 hours per day, the game rewards you with a deep, content-rich looter-shooter. If you can't, the game punishes you with a falling-behind experience.

The verdict

Destiny 2 is the looter-shooter that defined a genre. The gunplay is unmatched, the raids are top-tier, and the seasonal updates keep the game fresh. The grind is the price of admission, but the payoff is worth it.

If you can commit 2-3 hours per day and buy the expansions, Destiny 2 is the best looter-shooter you can play. If you can't, look at a less demanding game.

Score: 8.5/10. The looter-shooter that defined a genre. The gunplay is unmatched, the raids are top-tier, and the seasonal updates keep the game fresh.

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See the Destiny 2 coverage for the long take, or check the F2P games tier list for our rankings.