Destiny 2's Player vs Player mode, called the Crucible, has had its ups and downs since its release in 2017. While the Crucible has provided some intense and memorable moments for players, it has also faced criticism for lack of balance and a sometimes frustrating experience. As Bungie, the developer of Destiny 2, gears up to release the next expansion, Lightfall, it's worth examining what the highs and lows of the game's PvP can teach the developer about what works and what needs improvement for its future IP, Matter.
One of the significant highs of Destiny 2's Crucible has been its diverse range of game modes. From the slow and quickly hectic tactical play of Season of The Seraph's Competitive mode to the objective-based gameplay of Control and Rift, there's a mode for every play style. This variety has kept the Crucible feeling fresh, and it's the retooling and inclusion of new modes that Bungie should continue to prioritize in the future.
Bungie's Development of Destiny 2's Crucible Has Had Its Ups and Downs
Another positive from Bungie in the Destiny 2 PvP space has been the introduction of skill-based matchmaking (SBMM) in Season of The Seraph. Skill-based matchmaking keeps a constant tab on any one player's performance during gameplay and is updated from match to match. The idea is to match players up with other players who most closely resemble their own skill levels, making for matches that are much closer to the outcome. The biggest benefit of this change is how it keeps the less-skilled or newer players, the game's majority, in lobbies where they won't get absolutely demolished by high-skill players looking for an easy game.
However, Destiny 2's Crucible has also had some significant lows. One of the biggest issues has been the lack of balance in the game's weapons and abilities over time. Certain weapons in the past, like the Lord of The Wolves Exotic shotgun, have dominated the meta for extended periods of time, leading to a less diverse and less enjoyable experience for players who opt out of the current meta. Similarly, particular abilities in the past have been overpowered for entire seasons, letting specific builds dominate without much risk to the player.
A Constantly Changing Meta Can Be Exhausting To Keep Up With
To address these issues, Bungie has made several nerfs and buffs to various weapons and abilities over the years. While these changes have helped to some extent, the constant back-and-forth of the meta can be frustrating for players who have to constantly adjust their loadouts. In the future, it could be necessary for Bungie to find a way to strike a better balance in the Crucible and make sure that no one weapon or ability is overly dominant.
Another low point for the Crucible has been the lack of meaningful rewards for players. While the seasonal content has provided some new items for players to chase, the rewards for regular Crucible modes like Control have been underwhelming. This lack of meaningful progression can make the Crucible feel like a grind, and it's something that Bungie should address in the future by offering more meaningful rewards for players.
Overall, Destiny 2's Crucible has provided some intense and memorable moments for players, but it has also faced its share of issues, some still to this day. To make the most of Bungie's next IP, Matter, it should continue to prioritize diverse game modes and meaningful rewards for players while finding a way to strike a better balance in the game's weapons and abilities. By addressing these issues, the Crucible has the potential to become an even more enjoyable and satisfying experience for players. With the experience of making Crucible better over time, Bungie could succeed in increasing the quality of its follow-up PvP IP, Matter.
Destiny 2 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
