I’ve not been keen onDestiny 2as of late, even though the new Heresy Episode has proven to be more than a smidge more enticing than its immediate predecessor. Now, completely unexpectedly, Bungie has announced a new Rite of the Nine event featuring something truly fascinating: Explorer Mode.
For the most part, Rite of the Nine serves as a surprise follow-up to one ofDestiny‘s frankly best-ever events: Into the Light. Whereas some of thebest parts of Into the Light did end up getting sunsetin the end (but of course), the logic behind them has thankfully returned with Rite of the Nine. This time, however, it’s all aboutDungeon content, and I’m particularly excited about what is more-or-less a fancy tutorial mode for them. This aptly titled Explorer Mode is just one of three new takes on select Dungeons, and if this is the direction Bungie wishes to takeDestiny 2into, I’m all for it.
Destiny 2: Rite of the Nine is a remarkable follow-up to Into the Light, and Explorer Mode is a highlight
If you’ve been put off playingDestiny 2‘s Dungeons and Raids by the level of complexity they often show, then you should know that these are easily the very best parts of the game. Dungeons, in particular, are extremely approachable andcan even be completed solo if you’re a badass. Their mechanics can sometimes be obtuse, however, and that’s where the first of three unique new Dungeon modes comes into the picture.
The Rite of the Nine event features three distinctive modes of play for three unique Dungeons: Prophecy, Spire of the Watcher, and Ghosts of the Deep can all be enjoyed in Explorer, Eternity, and Ultimatum Modes. The goal is to hunt after a high-score, and the more efficient players are at higher difficulties, the better loot they get. Said loot? Holo-foil weapons, folks. They’reback, fancier than ever before.
That’s all well and good, of course, but Explorer Mode in particular fascinates me because if how approachable it makes these Dungeons.
Explorer Mode is essentially an easy/tutorial version of the given dungeon. It features handy little tooltips that help highlight bespoke puzzle mechanics and gameplay features,no wipes, and extremely short revive counters. It’s still going to drop regular loot, though we’ll get an obviously smaller high score and thus smaller odds of getting fancy loot using it.
Eternity is basically the bog-standard Dungeon experience veterans will already know and love, on the other hand, while Ultimatum serves as an enhanced Contest Mode version of the same Dungeon, with select difficulty modifiers plastered on top.
Obviously, Explorer Mode is the most complex of these three difficulty modes, and the reason I’m so intrigued by it is that it could expand the reach ofDestiny‘s very best content beyond anything it has right now. The fact of the matter is that some people simply choose to stick with casualDestinycontent due to how complex endgame stuff seems, and Explorer Mode could dispel this notion once and for all.
The Rite of the Nine event is due to release as part ofEpisode: Heresy‘s Act 3 in early April, and it’s going to feature a host of unique cosmetics, upgraded loot drops, the aforemnetioned Holo-foil weapon variants, and loads more. Definitely keep an eye out for Explorer Mode in particular, though, because this may be Bungie telling us ofwhat to expect out ofDestiny: Frontiers.
