Bungie and Star Wars have joined forces in Destiny 2 – Renegades Two universes joined forces. Two universes with their own mythology, their own tone, their own fan armies, and both extremely sensitive when their foundations are shaken.
Both studios are working together and trying to build something that doesn't feel like a crossover, but rather like a natural extension of the existing franchise. Destiny-Cosmos. That's precisely what makes this project interesting, which players can experience starting now.
The central requirement according to Bungie: "Authentic Destiny, but instantly recognizable as Star Wars." Not a side quest, not an event, but a continuation of the ongoing saga, two months after Edge of FateThe world is changing, the prophecy of doom has been buried, and the Drifter is asking us to break the Vanguard's rules once again. Classic Drifter move.
Renegades aims for Star Wars style without bending Destiny.
What initially sounded like an impossible brief became a guiding star: Star Wars aesthetics without feeling out of place. The solution wasn't... Destiny Instead of simply painting it in imperial gray, Destiny should focus on commonalities. Rebel fantasy. Outlaws. Smugglers. Dirty jobs on the fringes of worlds. Destiny always had that at its core, just never as its main focus.
Renegades uses this and goes a step further:
- A mysterious Cabal empire as the new antagonist
- Archetypes that consciously play with Star Wars without copying it
- Factions like the Syndicates finally make Destiny more chaotic, dirtier, and more unpredictable.
The fact that Bungie dared to have Vex play cards in trench coats shows pretty well how relaxed the creative space suddenly became.
Prax Blade, Blaster System and Soundtrack
The Prax Blade is the most obvious result of bridging the two worlds. Not a lightsaber, but a sword that clearly leans in that direction, with reflected shots, a throwing attack, and its own energy circuit. The new blasters follow this same principle. Destiny gunplay, but enhanced with heat mechanics and timing windows reminiscent of iconic blaster battles.
The soundtrack immediately reveals how seriously the team is taking this fusion. Orchestral Destiny motifs, but clearly inspired by John Williams' harmonies. Importantly, never a copy, but a new, intermediate world. And that works surprisingly well.
New characters, old conflicts
Renegades It not only introduces new elements but also brings old conflicts to the surface. The Drifter remains the moral troublemaker. Aerys and Anor reflect the struggle between old rules and a world that no longer clearly distinguishes between light and dark. Bale comes across as the kind of villain Destiny has long lacked: someone with an understandable point but disastrous decisions. A touch of Star Wars tragedy, but set within the Destiny universe.
What has been seen so far doesn't look like fan service or a marketing ploy. Renegades feels like a brave attempt, Destiny to expand upon it without watering it down, and not to use Star Wars like a costume.
Whether it all holds together in the end remains to be seen in the gameplay and mission design. But the creative courage is there. And after a long time, Bungie seems hungry again. That's perhaps the best news about this project.
I'm looking forward to it, it looks good, although I'm not into Star Wars.