Summary
Destiny 2revealed last October that it would eventually be bringing Solo Ops to the game, along with plenty of information about how the new mode would work. However, it wasn’t until the reveal ofDestiny 2’s upcoming Edge of Fate expansion that Bungie finally revealed, not only when the mode would be coming to the game, but how players would be able to access it. With the launch ofThe Edge of Fate on July 15,Destiny 2will receive a new front page called the “Portal,” through which they can access the game’s various activities. Within the Portal, they can then access the “Solo Ops” category, which consists of activities built for solo players.
While players have always been able to play almost any activity inDestiny 2solo, Solo Ops is essentially Bungie offering solo players a much more streamlined way to play the game. The Portal in general isDestiny 2’s efforts to get players into the fun as fast as possible, but that is now especially true for players who may not have very much time on their hands or the allies necessary to complete group activities. Not only does this check a huge item off of fans' wish lists, but it represents a new era forDestiny 2moving forward.
Destiny 2’s Solo Ops Offer Unprecedented Freedom
Destiny 2’s Solo Ops Are a Massive Win for Casual Players
One ofDestiny 2’s most significant shortcomings has become even more of an issue as the game has grown into the monster that it currently is — its treatment of casual players. Many of those who began playingDestiny 2at launch or even started their journey throughDestinywith the first game have likely become busier in their real lives and therefore have less time to devote toDestiny 2. This has led to many of those players having feelings ofFOMO (Fear of Missing Out), whichDestiny 2has then capitalized on in an attempt to keep them engaged.
Solo Ops may not add more solo content toDestiny 2, but it does make solo-friendly content more accessible from the get-go.
However,Destiny 2’s upcoming Solo Ops feature is exactly what the game needs, as it means Bungie is tipping its hat to the game’s casual player base. If nothing else, it’s a good sign of what is to come in the future forDestiny 2, and it could even lead to more casual activities being introduced. In fact,Destiny 2’s latest dungeon activity,Rite of the Nine, offers three separate difficulty levels — Explorer, Eternity, and Ultimatum — with Explorer being designed for casual players who are new to dungeons.
Destiny 2’s Solo Ops Let Players Play at Their Own Pace
More than anything else, though,Destiny 2’s new Solo Ops option emphasizes the game’s refreshing desire to let players enjoy the experience at their own pace. For quite some time,Destiny 2has all but demanded players do certain activities if they want to stay caught up, and Solo Ops essentially invites players to do what they can with the limited amount of time they may have. When they select Solo Ops from the Portal, they will be offered several different gameplay options that require no more than ten minutes of their time, rather than subjecting them to the overwhelming feeling that often accompaniesDestiny 2’s massive amount of content.
Destiny 2’s upcoming Solo Ops feature is exactly what the game needs, as it means Bungie is tipping its hat to the game’s casual player base.
Destiny 2has always been at its best when it finds ways to meet players where they are, and Solo Ops might be one of the smartest moves it has made in years. By creating a space made for short sessions andsolo-friendly activities,Destiny 2is acknowledging the reality that the lives of many of its players have changed. Some no longer have hours to grind, others don’t always have a fireteam at the ready, but all of them still want to feel like they belong in the world ofDestiny. Solo Ops makes that possible.
