Beyond the Light taught us that Destiny 2 can still continue to surprise and entertain. Bungie's work is more than capable of keeping us glued to the screen for many hours, and we figured it out by looking for Entropic Shards, unlocking new Natures and Aspects of stasis but also fighting enemies in the Deep Stone Crypt. After these prolonged gaming sessions, however, we asked ourselves a simple, banal question, but at the same time essential to then go on to analyze everything that does not directly concern the Beyond the Light campaign: but is there really a phase that we can identify as "endgame"? Yes and no, because Bungie nourishes its work with vigor continuously and actively, refreshing the narrative and gameplay with content that is always genuine and above all interesting for the players. The Beyond the Light endgame, if we want to call it that, is a perfect example of this otherwise generalized concept.
THEDestiny 2: Beyond the Light endgame
In the first place, it is important to specify how some enterprises to be completed after the conclusion of the story are present: we refer to the whole system of quests useful to the user to further enhance the subclass of stasis, a great addition to the expansion. What is interesting, however, is the way these companies fit together, obviously citing the Hold of Salvation. This exotic grenade launcher will be of fundamental importance for the enhancement of stasis - as well as being the first real weapon with stasis damage - because only with it we will be able to hit and obtain the Entropic Shards. The latter are nine in total (here is our guide to find them all) and obtaining them allows the Guardians to unlock new components for the icy subclass.
If we do not consider the help of our guide, finding all the Entropic Shards scattered around the map of Europe is a daunting task, perhaps too much, especially when considering that many of these are located in places far away from those most on display on the map. However, once again we understand how the various feats allow the player to simplify the process: the position of many Shards is often the same where we might find ourselves in post-completion story missions, which means that to obtain them without too much trouble the player he will only have to pay close attention to the environment that surrounds him.
Alongside the Entropic Fragments there are Natures and Aspects, two essential elements for personalizing the subclass of stasis. The first is basically a modifier, which in addition to defining certain bonuses and malus also establishes how many Whispers can be assigned in the respective slots. However, the way in which Bungie wanted to manage this mechanic is very interesting: every week the spaces available vary randomly according to our class and the Nature in question, and this means that we will often be forced to customize the subclass. But be careful, because this dynamic does not necessarily have to be bad and indeed, it offers the management of our character a new freshness, although not free from defects. As we had already said in our review of the Beyond the Light campaign, there remains a problem now well known by the veterans of Destiny 2. We obviously talk about a daily confusion that is created primarily in the organization of companies and consequently also in the very management of the sub-class of stasis. Nature, Fragments, Whispers, Aspects. All these elements are all too similar to each other and end users - especially novices - may not fully understand the various dynamics and how they intertwine with each other.
In the depths of the Crypt of Pietrafonda
But the personalization of stasis is only a part - a fragment, to put it mildly - of what awaits the Guardians. Starting from November 21st, in fact, we were able to try our hand at the new raid, which takes the name of Crypt of Pietrafonda, an almost cult place for lovers of Destiny 2 lore: it is the place where Clovis Bray gave birth to the Exo, where characters like the Unknown and Cayde-6 originated and of which they possess the earliest memories. Therefore, being a place dating back to the golden age, it goes without saying that it is almost completely shrouded in mystery. And in fact, once the raid has started it will be difficult even to find the entrance.
The first part of the raid involves a trip to the coldest areas of Europe, so much so that to move we will have to use the goshawks and we will necessarily have to travel between one energy dome and another within ten seconds, to avoid freezing to death. We will also be able to take advantage of the banshees available, which if brought all and you to your destination will reward the players with a special goshawk. The second area represents the real entrance, a room divided between light and darkness. Later, during the boss fights, we will be able to play real roles in the form of buffs. Let's talk about the operator, the scanner and the suppressor, functions that can be equipped by the Guardians and that will be necessary to complete the various sections of the Deep Stone Crypt. Right here the coordination between players will be nothing short of essential to advance, as a single user cannot have more than one buff at a time. Furthermore, in the final stages we will even be deprived of the possibility of using a certain role, which makes teamwork even more important. The Crypt of Deep Stone not only offers a new kind of experience in the Destiny 2 ecosystem but gives players an extra incentive to unite, organize and take part in a mission that, once completed, can offer great satisfaction.
We must not forget the wonderful scene that divides the two macro-phases of the raid: a spectacular walk in space, illuminated only by the reflected light of the icy surface of Europa, and the infinite that is only a boundary. A masterful affirmation of Destiny 2's superb artistic beauty, accompanied by a frighteningly fitting soundtrack, once again orchestrated by Michael Salvatori. We are not afraid to define this phase as one of the most beautiful ever presented in Bungie's work, both because it is capable of leaving the player captivated, and because it represents a soft detachment that accompanies towards the end of the raid.
Destiny 2 thus continues to surprise us with an always massive dose of content, of which we can only be happy. However, after having had the opportunity to discover everything Beyond the Light had to offer at launch, we are waiting for news from Bungie. We already know that from 8 December we will be able to take part in the first Iron Banner, while from 15 December to 5 January there will be the Aurora of Eva Levante on the Tower. But after these events, what can we expect? Personally, we have expectations of further upgrades and changes to the stasis subclass, which can be obtained in the future as rewards for new quests.. As always, we'll see if Bungie can keep his ship straight.
