The idea of having NPC companions join players in Destiny 2's PvE content is not a new concept in the offline or even online gaming space. A few games, such as the Monster Hunter titles and The Elder Scrolls Online, have successfully implemented this feature with largely positive player feedback. With the right features and limitations, giving players NPC companions in Destiny 2 could be a clever innovation for the sci-fi live-service shooter in ways that could be very beneficial.
One of the main reasons why a companion system would be beneficial for Destiny 2 is because it would make the game more solo-friendly. Currently, a lot of the PvE content in Destiny 2 requires players to team up with other players to challenge difficult encounters. This can be frustrating for players who prefer to play solo or who don't have enough friends to form a full fireteam. With NPC companions, solo players would have a reliable ally to join them on their adventures, especially if said companions could be revivable and revive the player once downed.
Destiny 2 Companions Could Be Useful To Solo Players
The benefits of NPC companions go beyond just providing an extra pair of hands in combat. Case in point, having someone who talks to the player or to themselves during combat would make the experience feel less lonely. It's easy to feel isolated when playing a game alone, but having an NPC companion tag along can help alleviate that feeling of isolation. Beyond that, players could upgrade a chosen NPC companion with Legendary guns or equip them with new accessories that boost certain parts of their subclass tree. Bungie could go a step further with companions and give them subclass Aspects and Fragments for Destiny 2 players to fine-tune their companions' build and loadout.
Alternatively, another viable companion option exists if Bungie doesn't want to let players coop with Zavala or the NPC Guardian equivalent. A Light-based and similarly customizable pet could serve the same purpose as the previous NPC examples, but could also be a big deal when it comes to Destiny 2's lore in Lightfall. There could be a future Season where the Traveler grants players their own customizable Ghost-like Exotic pet, for example. Companions introduced in this way could have interesting implications down the road in many lore and story elements like cutscenes and NPC character development.
Limitations To Such a System in Destiny 2 Would Be Important For Balance
Either way, having NPC companions in Destiny 2 could benefit those who wish to challenge the first-person shooter's various PvE offerings. They would be a valuable asset on any mission, adding an extra layer of depth to the game. Limitations to such a system would also be an essential part of balancing, for example, only allowing companions to players who are by themselves or one other Guardian tops. With how in-depth most Destiny 2 Raid mechanics are, having companions in Raids likely wouldn't be a great idea either.
Ultimately, a companion system that gives players extra customization in Destiny 2 could be a welcome addition to Destiny as a whole and help shape the sci-fi shooter franchise in the future—much like Palicoes did for Monster Hunter. This addition would make the game more solo-player-friendly and less lonely, while also allowing players to customize and upgrade their NPC companions in meaningful ways. Whether players are given the freedom to choose from a list of iconic NPCs or are given a Light-based pet from the Traveler, these companions would be a valuable ally to have on any mission.
Destiny 2 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
