Summary
Bungie’sDestinyfranchise has undoubtedly been successful, having lasted over a decade and still pushing toward new content and major updates. That being said, it hasn’t always ridden a high, and that has been especially true of it recently. Despite some regular content and story additions, as well as its seasonal events,Destiny 2has struggled to maintain the interest of its players — even its most dedicated followers. Fortunately, the recent reveal of its Edge of Fate expansion proves that it is heading in the right direction, but that’s not the only thing it has going for it.
The reason theDestinyfranchise has been able to stay alive for so long and even maintain its popularity is because it offers rewarding gameplay and a world and story that are unlike what any other game offers. However, those elements haven’t just served to keepDestinyitself alive, and have also found their way into the foundations of other games, serving as inspirations for gameplay systems and mechanics. By and large, Bungie’sDestinyfranchise has solidified itself as one of themost influential gamesout there, and that is proving to be especially true in 2025. More or less,Destinyhas outgrown itself, and at least two of the biggest games coming out this year are evidence of that.
2025 Is the Year of the ‘Destiny Effect’
The Outer Worlds 2 Has Modeled Its Gunplay After Destiny
One of themost anticipated games of 2025is Obsidian Entertainment’sThe Outer Worlds 2, which is set to introduce a wide variety of new features and gameplay enhancements to the formula established by its predecessor. One of its most significant enhancements, though, can be found in its gunplay. The firstOuter Worldshad gunplay similar toFallout: New Vegas —which was also developed by Obsidian — but that isn’t necessarily a good thing.Fallout: New Vegas' gunplay, like every otherFalloutgame, wasn’t one of its strengths, as it was rather sluggish and unfulfilling.
Destiny 2is widely considered one of the best examples of satisfying gunplay in the gaming industry.
This is whereDestiny’s legacy comes in forThe Outer Worlds 2, as Obsidian has citedDestinyas inspiration for the sequel’s gunplay and movement. Ultimately, this means improved weapon feedback, greater weapon variety, and more agile movement mechanics. For example, it has been confirmed that players will be able to slide while aiming down their weapon’s sights, just as they can inDestiny 2. This mixture of improved weapon feedback, more variety in what weapons players can use, and the ability to combine movement with gunplay showDestiny’s influence onThe Outer Worlds 2.
Borderlands 4 Has Clear Destiny Influences
The Outer Worlds 2isn’t the only game coming out this year that is modeling itself afterDestinyin some way either, as Gearbox’s upcomingBorderlands 4has strongDestinyvibes. Firstly, there’sBorderlands 4’s new Digirunner vehicle, which moves and even spawns similarly toDestiny’s Sparrow. Secondly, some ofBorderlands 4’s movement mechanics seem to channelDestiny 2’s classes, as players can double jump and even glide inBorderlands 4. Finally, the new companion character Echo-4 is, for all intents and purposes,Destiny’s Ghost, as it guides players, helps them unlock doors, and decrypts data for them.
By and large, Bungie’sDestinyfranchise has solidified itself as one of the most influential games out there, and that is proving to be especially true in 2025.
Destinymay have started as a genre-blending experiment, but in 2025, it’s becoming more of a blueprint than ever before. Its influence can now be seen across some of the year’s most anticipated titles, from the wayThe Outer Worlds 2handles gunplayto howBorderlands 4reimagines the series' traversal and companion design. In the end, these are signs thatDestiny’s DNA has become foundational to modern looter shooters. Whether Bungie intended it or not,Destinyhas outgrown its own borders and is shaping the future far beyond its own live-service walls.
