Destiny 2: Edge of Fate - From Frustration to Fun: Was the 50-Hour Grind Worth It?
The latest expansion for Destiny 2, Edge of Fate, promised a wealth of new content, powerful gear, and exciting challenges. However, the initial experience for many players, including ourselves at Gaming News, has been a rollercoaster of frustration and eventual satisfaction. Was the grueling 50+ hour grind truly necessary to unlock the fun hidden within? Let’s delve into the specifics of the expansion, examining the highs and lows, and ultimately determine if the payoff justifies the initial investment.
The Initial Grind: A Test of Endurance
The early hours of Edge of Fate are characterized by a significant gear and power level grind. Immediately noticeable is the stark difference in loot quality compared to the previous season. Tier 1 (T1) drops, with their underwhelming stat distributions (52-57 points on armor) and single perks on weapons, feel like a massive step backward. This disparity is further compounded by the knowledge that these initial drops cannot be enhanced or upgraded.
The game pushes players to increase both their power level and Guardian Rank to access higher-tier loot. This creates a situation where you must grind for the privilege to grind for what you actually want. This double-layered grind can be particularly demoralizing, especially for players eager to jump into the new content with their preferred builds.
Breaking Down the Time Commitment
To quantify this grind, we meticulously tracked our progress, focusing primarily on Solo Ops runs due to their efficiency compared to other activities. Our findings reveal a substantial time investment:
- 330 to 350 Power Level: Approximately 6 hours, utilizing efficient 4-minute Solo Ops runs.
- 300 to 350 Power Level: Estimated 10-15 hours.
- 200 to 300 Power Level: Roughly 15-20 hours, at a rate of 2 hours per 10 power levels.
- Campaign and Initial Grind to 200: Additional hours depending on individual playstyle and efficiency.
Aggregating these estimates, we arrived at the dreaded 50+ hour figure. This is a significant commitment, especially considering the activities during this period are often repetitive and lack the excitement of end-game content. It’s like being stuck in a never-ending tutorial, delaying the true enjoyment of the game.
The Bureaucracy of Power Leveling
The power leveling process often feels more like a bureaucratic chore than an engaging gameplay experience. Many tasks are mindless and yield minimal rewards, creating a sense of stagnation. The feeling is akin to Sisyphus pushing a boulder uphill, only to find another, even larger boulder waiting at the top. The game throws in artificial difficulty spikes, requiring players to overcome power level deltas and deal with annoying modifiers like no HUD or limited starting ammo. These obstacles, while intended to add challenge, often simply increase the tedium.
Navigating the Portal: A Mixed Bag of Activities
The Portal serves as the central hub for accessing most activities in Edge of Fate. While convenient, its contents are a mixed bag. A significant portion of the available activities are reissued or recycled from previous seasons, such as the 2021 Battlegrounds, Encore, and The Devils’ Lair. This lack of new and engaging content during the initial grind can further contribute to player frustration.
Ironically, Caldera, the activity that has become a staple for many players, is one of the few genuinely new experiences within the Portal. However, even its repetitive nature can become monotonous after extended farming sessions.
The Importance of Using New Gear
One of the more controversial mechanics in Edge of Fate is the requirement to use new gear to progress your Guardian Rank and increase your reward score in the Portal. This forces players to equip potentially inferior gear, simply for the sake of progression. While using new and featured gear does provide bonuses to firepower and damage reduction, it feels like an artificial restriction on player freedom.
The Turning Point: Reaching Tier 4 and Beyond
After persevering through the initial grind and reaching a power level of 350, the game begins to show its true potential. Unlocking the first Kepler tier upgrade is a significant milestone, guaranteeing Tier 4 (T4) drops on Mythic difficulty and providing two weekly guaranteed Tier 5 (T5) drops from featured missions. This marks a turning point where farming for high-level loot becomes a more reliable and rewarding endeavor.
The Flood of High-Quality Loot
Reaching power level 400 further amplifies the loot rewards, especially when combined with temporary boosts like those from the Solstice event. Basic Solo Ops runs consistently drop T4 items, with guaranteed T5 drops from event-specific activities. This influx of high-quality gear can lead to a welcomed problem: a vault overflowing with desirable weapons and armor. The feeling of finally being able to acquire the gear needed to realize powerful builds is a significant relief after the initial hours of frustration.
The Joy of Buildcrafting
With access to higher-tier gear, the buildcrafting aspect of Destiny 2 truly shines. The ability to fine-tune stats, experiment with different perk combinations, and create synergistic builds is incredibly satisfying. This is the core gameplay loop that many players enjoy, and it’s finally accessible after overcoming the initial hurdle.
The Looming Reset: A Cause for Concern
Despite the current satisfaction with the improved loot drops, a sense of unease lingers. The upcoming Renegades expansion in December promises a fresh start, but also a complete power level reset back to 200. While the Kepler upgrade is thankfully permanent, the prospect of re-grinding through the lower tiers with new/featured gear bonuses is daunting. The planned removal of Unstable Cores adds another layer of inconvenience.
The Perils of “Legacy” Gear
The power level reset also raises concerns about the viability of existing gear. While players will retain their weapons and armor, they may no longer be considered “new” or “featured,” potentially penalizing their use in certain activities. This creates a frustrating situation where gear that was meticulously farmed and optimized just months ago may become obsolete.
Areas for Improvement: Addressing the Core Issues
While Edge of Fate offers a compelling endgame experience, the journey to reach that point needs significant improvement. The core issues that need to be addressed include:
- Reducing the Length of the Initial Grind: The 50+ hour grind to access high-tier loot is simply too long. Bungie needs to find ways to accelerate progression for new and returning players.
- Improving the Quality of Early Loot Drops: T1 drops feel underwhelming and discourage players from engaging with the game. Increasing the base stat rolls and allowing for perk enhancement would make the early game more rewarding.
- Diversifying Activities in the Portal: The reliance on recycled content in the Portal contributes to the feeling of stagnation. Introducing new and engaging activities would make the grind more enjoyable.
- Rethinking the New Gear Requirement: Forcing players to use potentially inferior gear simply to progress their Guardian Rank is a counterintuitive mechanic that should be re-evaluated.
- Addressing Concerns About Power Level Resets: Bungie needs to communicate clearly about the impact of power level resets on existing gear and ensure that players don’t feel penalized for using their hard-earned loot.
Final Verdict: Potential Realized, But at a Cost
Edge of Fate has the potential to be a great expansion for Destiny 2. The endgame content is engaging, the buildcrafting is rewarding, and the loot chase is finally satisfying. However, the initial 50+ hour grind is a significant barrier to entry. Bungie needs to address the core issues that plague the early game to ensure that players don’t give up before they reach the fun.
Ultimately, the question of whether the grind is worth it depends on your individual tolerance for repetition and your dedication to Destiny 2. If you’re willing to persevere through the initial challenges, you’ll find a rewarding endgame experience waiting for you. However, if you’re easily discouraged by repetitive tasks and underwhelming loot, you may want to wait for Bungie to address the issues before diving in.