Two weeks removed from its record-shattering launch, Destiny 2’s latest expansion, Renegades, is now under the merciless microscope of its community. The feedback, gathered from forums, social media, and detailed player surveys, paints a complex picture: one of narrative brilliance hampered by the recurring friction of an aggressive endgame monetization and reward structure.

The Unanimous Highs: A Cinematic Masterpiece

The praise for the core experience is undeniable. Players agree that Renegades delivers one of the most compelling and visually striking campaigns in Destiny history.

  • Story and Lore: The morally gray storyline featuring the “Renegade Commander” antagonist and the haunting atmosphere of the Aether Nexus destination have earned near-universal acclaim. Players are thrilled by the direction of the new saga, calling it “the most mature storytelling Destiny has ever attempted.”
  • Chrono-Shift Potential: Despite its initial complexity, the new Chrono-Shift subclass is seen as a refreshing addition, adding deep mechanical layers to both PvE and PvP. The high skill ceiling has excited players eager to master its temporal displacement abilities.

The Pain Points: The Grind Returns

The honeymoon period quickly ended as players transitioned into the repeatable endgame loop, where specific mechanical decisions ignited community discontent.

  • The Anomalous Grind: The primary source of frustration centers on the new currency required to obtain the powerful Anomalous Legendary Weapons. Players report that the current acquisition rate and high RNG requirement for rolls feel excessively tedious and disrespectful of player time.
  • Raid Difficulty: While the new Raid is praised for its mechanics, its uncompromising difficulty and lack of forgiveness for minor errors have frustrated casual and mid-tier teams, who feel locked out of the best loot unless they dedicate huge time investments.

The Value Proposition: Cost vs. Content

Perhaps the most heated debate revolves around the expansion’s cost versus its long-term value.

Players overwhelmingly feel that the quality of the campaign, destinations, and subclasses justifies the initial cost. However, criticism mounts when examining the seasonal loop—the content designed to keep players engaged for the next three months.

“The campaign is a 10/10, but the seasonal activities feel like a 6/10 repackaging,” one popular community voice stated. “When you factor in the annual pass price, the longevity of the grind needs to match the stellar narrative quality.”

The community consensus is clear: Renegades is a resounding victory for Bungie’s narrative and design teams, marking a spectacular beginning to a new saga. However, sustained success depends on swift mechanical adjustments to the endgame loot systems that currently feel overly punitive, ensuring the passion for the story doesn’t bleed out into frustration with the grind.