Buying Destiny: The Taken King – A Comprehensive Guide
Destiny: The Taken King was a major expansion for the hit FPS game Destiny, adding a wealth of new content for players to enjoy. But with the original Destiny no longer supported, is The Taken King still worth buying today?
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: While The Taken King adds great content to Destiny, only the most dedicated Destiny fans will find value in purchasing this outdated DLC today.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know before buying Destiny: The Taken King in 2023. We’ll look at what content is included, whether there’s still an active player base, how it impacts the Destiny 1 experience, and if better alternatives exist for most gamers.
Overview of The Taken King DLC
The Taken King is an expansion pack for the popular first-person shooter game, Destiny. It introduces a plethora of new content and features that enhance the overall gaming experience. From a gripping story campaign to exciting multiplayer maps and powerful weapons, this DLC offers something for every Destiny player.
New story campaign
The Taken King DLC brings a brand new story campaign that takes players on a thrilling journey to defeat Oryx, the Taken King. This new storyline introduces engaging missions, memorable characters, and breathtaking environments.
Players will explore new locations in the Destiny universe and uncover the secrets behind Oryx’s rise to power. The narrative is well-crafted and immerses players in a world filled with danger and intrigue.
Strikes and Crucible maps
In addition to the new story campaign, The Taken King DLC introduces a variety of strikes and Crucible maps. Strikes are cooperative missions that require a team of players to defeat challenging enemies and bosses.
Crucible maps, on the other hand, offer intense player-versus-player battles in various multiplayer game modes. These new strikes and maps provide fresh and exciting gameplay experiences for both PvE and PvP enthusiasts.
Level cap increase
With The Taken King DLC, the level cap in Destiny is increased to 40, allowing players to further strengthen their characters and unlock more powerful abilities. This increase in level cap adds a new layer of progression and gives players a sense of accomplishment as they reach higher levels.
It also opens up new opportunities for players to tackle tougher challenges and earn better rewards.
Exotic weapons and gear
The Taken King DLC introduces a wide range of exotic weapons and gear that offer unique abilities and bonuses. These powerful weapons and gear pieces can greatly enhance a player’s effectiveness in combat and provide strategic advantages in both PvE and PvP activities.
From exotic hand cannons to exotic armor pieces, there are plenty of exciting new items to collect and customize your Guardian with.
Is Destiny 1 Still Active?
Destiny 1, the original installment of the popular first-person shooter game, still has an active player base in 2023. Despite the release of its successor, Destiny 2, many players continue to enjoy the original game and its content.
While the player population has naturally decreased over time, there are still dedicated fans who regularly engage in the game’s activities.
Player population in 2023
Although exact numbers are not publicly available, Destiny 1 still attracts a substantial number of players. The game’s community remains active, and you can easily find matches in various game modes. Whether you’re interested in playing Crucible matches against other players, teaming up for challenging raids, or exploring the game’s expansive world, you’ll find others to join you on your journey.
Limited events and playlist rotations
Destiny 1 continues to offer limited-time events and playlist rotations to keep the game fresh for its dedicated community. These events often introduce new challenges, rewards, and gameplay experiences.
Bungie, the developer of Destiny, understands the importance of providing new content to keep players engaged, and they continue to support Destiny 1 with these periodic updates.
One notable event that occurs regularly in Destiny 1 is the “Iron Banner,” a competitive multiplayer event where players can earn unique rewards and compete for glory. This event, along with others like it, adds excitement and variety to the game, ensuring that there is always something new for players to experience.
Lack of updates and support
While Destiny 1 still has an active player base, it is important to note that the game is no longer receiving major updates and support from Bungie. The focus has shifted to Destiny 2, which continues to receive regular updates and expansions.
However, Destiny 1 remains a fully playable and enjoyable experience for those who prefer its mechanics, story, and content.
If you’re considering diving into Destiny 1, it’s worth remembering that while the game may not receive new content, it still offers a vast amount of existing content to explore. With its engaging gameplay, immersive universe, and dedicated community, Destiny 1 can provide countless hours of enjoyment for both new and returning players.
Impact on Overall Destiny 1 Experience
Buying Destiny: The Taken King expansion pack can have a significant impact on the overall Destiny 1 experience. The expansion pack not only brings new content and missions but also introduces changes that may affect players in various ways.
Locked out of high level activities
One of the main impacts of purchasing The Taken King is that players who do not own the expansion pack may be locked out of certain high-level activities. This means that if you want to participate in the new raids, strikes, or other endgame activities introduced in The Taken King, you will need to purchase the expansion.
This can be frustrating for players who have invested a lot of time and effort into the base game and are now unable to access new content.
Can’t access new subclasses
Another significant impact of The Taken King is that players who do not own the expansion pack will not be able to access the new subclasses introduced in the expansion. These new subclasses offer unique abilities and playstyles, adding depth and variety to the gameplay experience.
Therefore, if you want to explore all the options and fully utilize the new subclasses, purchasing The Taken King is essential.
Reduced matchmaking pool
With the introduction of The Taken King, the matchmaking pool in Destiny 1 may become reduced for players who do not own the expansion. This is because the expansion brings new multiplayer modes, maps, and playlists.
As a result, players without The Taken King may find it more challenging to find matches or may be limited to playing with a smaller player base. It is important to consider this impact if multiplayer gameplay is a significant part of your Destiny experience.
Better Alternatives for Most Players
While Destiny: The Taken King was undoubtedly a groundbreaking game that captivated players around the world, there are several alternatives that may better suit the preferences and needs of most players.
Whether you’re looking for a fresh gaming experience or simply want to explore other options, there are a few alternatives worth considering.
Focus on Destiny 2 instead
If you’re a fan of the Destiny franchise, shifting your attention to Destiny 2 might be a great move. Destiny 2 builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, offering an improved gameplay experience, enhanced graphics, and an expanded universe to explore.
With regular updates and expansions, Destiny 2 continues to provide players with new and exciting content to keep them engaged for hours on end.
Try newer looter shooters
If you’re craving a similar looter shooter experience but want to try something different, there are several newer titles that might pique your interest. Games like Borderlands 3, The Division 2, and Outriders offer a similar gameplay loop of looting, shooting, and upgrading your character, but with their own unique twists and features.
These games provide a fresh take on the genre and offer plenty of content to keep players entertained.
Free-to-play options
For those who prefer to dip their toes into the gaming world without committing to a full-priced game, there are several free-to-play options available. Games like Warframe, Apex Legends, and Destiny 2: New Light offer a taste of the looter shooter experience without the upfront cost.
These games often come with microtransactions, allowing players to customize their characters or unlock additional content if desired.
Ultimately, the decision to explore alternative options to Destiny: The Taken King comes down to personal preference. Whether you choose to focus on Destiny 2, try newer looter shooters, or delve into the world of free-to-play games, there’s no shortage of exciting alternatives to keep you entertained for hours on end.
Conclusion
While The Taken King remains some of Destiny 1’s best content, the game’s outdated state makes this DLC hard to recommend in 2023. Only dedicated fans still playing Destiny 1 regularly will find value in buying The Taken King at this point.
Most players are better off focusing on Destiny 2 or trying more recent games in the looter shooter genre.
