Destiny 2: Shadowkeep

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Critics Recommend

Average Score

Total Reviews: 55

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Shadowkeep is a major step forward for Destiny 2 and a promising starting point for post-Activision Bungie. However, a weak campaign, brutal grind, convoluted new systems, and a lack of good loot mar the experience.

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Critics Recommend

Critic Reviews: 55

Critics Consensus

# Reviews: 55

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Critic Reviews for Destiny 2: Shadowkeep

Critic Reviews

Score Distribution

55

Reviews

Average Score - 75/100

75%

Ranges

76/100

Phil Savage (PC Gamer)

Not the best, biggest or neatest expansion in the series’ history, Shadowkeep nonetheless sets a solid foundation for what’s to come.

October 14, 2019 |

Full Review

Destiny 2: Shadowkeep is a big step in the right direction for Destiny, even when it feels like the first chapter in a larger story and subjects you to a brutal grind.

October 8, 2019 |

Full Review

7.9/10

Travis Northup (IGN)

9/10

Matt Miller (Game Informer)

Not as expansive in initial scope as previous expansions, Shadowkeep’s standout feature is instead the way it redefines the core loop and encourages week-to-week investment.

October 9, 2019 |

Full Review

Phil Savage (PC Gamer)

76/100 - (Read Review)

Not the best, biggest or neatest expansion in the series’ history, Shadowkeep nonetheless sets a solid foundation for what’s to come.

Travis Northup (IGN)

7.9/10 - (Read Review)

Destiny 2: Shadowkeep is a big step in the right direction for Destiny, even when it feels like the first chapter in a larger story and subjects you to a brutal grind.

Matt Miller (Game Informer)

9/10 - (Read Review)

Not as expansive in initial scope as previous expansions, Shadowkeep’s standout feature is instead the way it redefines the core loop and encourages week-to-week investment.

**Read all 55 critic reviews on the desktop version of VSG.

Read the Reviews (55 total)

Outlet	Author	Score	Date	Quote	Read
Areajugones	Víctor Rodríguez	7.5 / 10	10-08-2019	Shadowkeep, seen just as an expansion, falls just short due to a small campaign and a shortage of content. However, the changes that introduces to Destiny 2 make this the biggest step forward for the franchise since its debut in 2014. Destiny 2 has a bright future in Bungie’s hands and Shadowkeep is the ultimate evidence.	Read review
Attack of the Fanboy	Brandon Adams	3.5 / 5 stars	10-16-2019	Destiny 2 has never been this accessible, and the foundations Bungie has laid for the future are largely solid. The core “new” content of the expansion may be a bust, but Bungie has proven that by going independent to better pursue their own creative vision they could make Destiny 2 a far better experience for everyone. Destiny 2: Shadowkeep stumbles over itself in spots, but the faults are not enough to put a damper on what is an impressive update to game as a whole.	Read review
But Why Tho?	Quinn Hiers	7 / 10	10-07-2019	The campaign was entertaining even though it felt redundant due to the reuse of old enemies and was rather short for something so anticipated. Returning to the moon brought back great memories and it’s wonderful to have Eris Morn back.	Read review
Checkpoint Gaming	Cameron Honey-Swain	Recommended	10-18-2019	With the hints about where the series is about to go… the future for Destiny is looking bright.	Read review
COGconnected	Alexander Thomas	82 / 100	10-10-2019	With cross-save, all new gear, revamped armor, and the finishing blows added to what was already a solid shooter, Destiny 2: Shadowkeep is a worthwhile successor to the Forsaken update and a genuine treat for anyone who loves shooters.	Read review
Daily Star	Lloyd Coombes	4 / 5 stars	10-07-2019	Despite a short campaign that ends abruptly, we feel there’s enough here to award a score based on the content we’ve played for a few dozen hours. If you have ever enjoyed Destiny or it’s sequel, Shadowkeep is absolutely worth a purchase. If you haven’t, then why not try New Light for free to see how you fare.	Read review
Destructoid	Chris Carter	6.5 / 10	10-03-2019	Bungie continues to surprise me in just about every respect: good and bad. Forsaken had a fantastic campaign that Shadowkeep doesn’t quite match, but all of the enhancements for Year 3 of Destiny 2 help balance it all out. Despite my misgivings and the weaknesses of Shadowkeep’s story, I’m still having fun with this roller coaster of a franchise: and that counts for a hell of a lot.	Read review
Digital Trends	Giovanni Colantonio	3.5 / 5 stars	10-14-2019	Shadowkeep is an expansion that’s brimming with potential that it’s actually poised to capitalize on. Its campaign may be a lukewarm retread through the franchise’s history, but the endgame loop is feeling more robust than ever. If the game’s first post-launch update is any indication, Shadowkeep promises a compelling reason to return to Destiny 2 , putting more emphasis on world discovery than an endless loot grind.	Read review
Easy Allies	Michael Huber	3.75 / 5 stars	10-13-2019	Shadowkeep kicks off the third year of Destiny 2 with smart additions and an intriguing mystery.	Read review
FingerGuns	Paul Collett	6 / 10	10-23-2019	You can tell that Bungie are trying their best to refine the base foundations of Destiny and that must be applauded considering how well the game has played for the past 5 years. If you are well buried in the franchise then you’ll no doubt lap this up, if you’re new to the series or looking for something that will finally shake up the stale gameplay, you’ll be left wanting. Shadowkeep is a small stone in a big pond, I’m still waiting for that boulder to make a real splash.	Read review
Game Informer	Matt Miller	9 / 10	10-09-2019	Not as expansive in initial scope as previous expansions, Shadowkeep’s standout feature is instead the way it redefines the core loop and encourages week-to-week investment	Read review
Game Revolution	Jason Faulkner	3.5 / 5 stars	10-08-2019	Shadowkeep had a solid campaign, though it ended prematurely for my taste. The expansion itself isn’t on the level of Forsaken, but it keeps the Destiny 2 machine rolling forward. I’m not personally happy with some of the changes that come alongside Shadowkeep, but I can see the imperative to reward players who keep regularly returning by spreading content out instead of releasing it in lumps.	Read review
Game Volt	Unknown	8.5 / 10	10-13-2019	As usual, the Raid itself is the best that can be played and represents various fun mechanics, but the story is in a state of boredom and poor presentation. The addition represents a wonderful extension of the game and various wonderful activities	Read review
Gameblog	Jonathan Bushle	6 / 10	10-07-2019	Destiny Shadowkeep adds a poor solo campaign to the main base game, too short and too straightforward. Only the Destiny addicts would enjoy the hours of grinding needed to open the doors of the new raid.	Read review
GameGrin	Simon Brown	8.5 / 10	10-18-2019	The most compelling plot and potential twist the series has had to date with fun missions and a return to perhaps the most iconic location in the series’ history. The moon is definitely haunted but it’s a lot of fun hunting those ghosts!	Read review
GameMAG	Unknown	7 / 10	11-07-2019	Destiny 2: Shadowkeep filled with grinding and reuse of old locations, which is unlikely to please fans of the story. However, the most beautiful raid in the game and a variety of high-level activities pull out the overall impression. The changed formula of content’ presentation, beautiful graphics, all sorts of in-game events and more flexible setting of equipment for the character will please fans of the series. In addition, Bungie plans to maintain the interest of players during the year, which means that a considerable part of the content we have not yet seen.	Read review
GamePitt	Nicola Pragnell	8 / 10	10-19-2019	If you are still playing Destiny 2 and have a good clan then Shadowkeep is a good expansion, but then you would have probably already bought it by now if you’re a regular so you don’t need me to recommend it! Shadowkeep isn’t a bad price if you fancy gearing up your guardian for a trip down memory lane as you run around shooting things, or to play a bit of PVP as a casual player, just don’t expect to get the good gear without putting in the hours.	Read review
Gameplanet	Andi Garnett	8 / 10	10-17-2019	Shadowkeep is taking its first steps in a newly focused Destiny that might not offer a lot, but strongly delivers on what it does. While it’s hard to say whether Bungie can maintain this promised trajectory for the course of the expansion, the signs so far are encouraging.	Read review
GamePro	Benjamin Blum	78 / 100	10-11-2019	Bungie provides fresh food for Destiny fans with some interesting innovations, but struggles with old problems.	Read review
Gamerheadquarters	Jason Stettner	7 / 10	10-30-2019	Destiny 2: Shadowkeep starts out strong, but ends with a rather abrupt situation that’s dampened by the recycled content that’s present.	Read review
GameSpot	Phil Hornshaw	8 / 10	10-08-2019	Shadowkeep’s return to the moon provides the usual quick story and new activities, but it’s the many under-the-hood changes that really shine.	Read review
GamesRadar+	Austin Wood	4 / 5 stars	10-18-2019	It’s not quite on the level of The Taken King or Forsaken, but Shadowkeep feels like a major step forward for Destiny 2. It’s a promising starting point for the game’s third year, and for post-Activision Bungie. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the 100-odd hours I’ve put into it, and I’ll easily triple that play time in the months to come.	Read review
GamingBolt	Ravi Sinha	6 / 10	10-07-2019	Destiny 2: Shadowkeep is a decent start for the next year of content, banking heavily on nostalgia and few mechanics. If you just want an excuse to play Destiny, it should suffice.	Read review
Geeks Under Grace	Karen Kennedy	7.5 / 10	12-19-2019	Core Destiny players will be satisfied with more things to chase and more things to do, but it is still lacking if it hopes to attract and keep new players hooked.	Read review
God is a Geek	Mick Fraser	7.5 / 10	10-21-2019	There’s certainly enough new content here to keep fans interested. Shadowkeep’s lunar surface is no Dreaming City, but it holds enough new surprises to make it worth checking out	Read review
Hardcore Gamer	Kevin Dunsmore	3 / 5 stars	10-08-2019	The cycle of Destiny whiplash continues with Destiny 2: Shadowkeep. Like during the Destiny 1 era, we started with a lackluster opening, then got two awful expansions, got our significant overhaul, and now we’re at the stopgap.	Read review
Hobby Consolas	Alejandro Alcolea Huertos	85 / 100	10-14-2019	Destiny 2 Bastion of Shadows is like coming home: it’s played like always and it’s very, very fun, but with the new armor and weapon systems, Bungie manages to create a deeper system, and the seasons promise to entertain us for a long time. It’s not as big as expected, but it’s a good start of Bungie flying by themselves.	Read review
IGN	Travis Northup	7.9 / 10	10-05-2019	Destiny 2: Shadowkeep is a big step in the right direction for Destiny, even when it feels like the first chapter in a larger story and subjects you to a brutal grind.	Read review
IGN Italy	Giovanni Marrelli	8 / 10	10-30-2019	A good expansions that shines in its most difficult activities, but that does not offer enough content to keep the community engaged for a very long time. The new path taken by Bungie is very promising, though.	Read review
Impulsegamer	Daniel Coomans	4.3 / 5 stars	10-25-2019	An homage to some enemies of old. Copious new features and content to match. This should keep us busy for a while.	Read review
Metro GameCentral	Unknown	6 / 10	10-07-2019	A disappointingly backwards-looking expansion that rather than signal a new era for Destiny and Bungie is just more of the same empty teases and recycled content.	Read review
MMORPG.com	Damien Gula	9 / 10	10-09-2019	Out of the gate, Destiny 2: Shadowkeep builds on Bungie’s legendary marriage of storytelling and gameplay, improving upon the foundations of the past while looking ahead to its future(s).	Read review
PC Gamer	Phil Savage	76 / 100	10-14-2019	Not the best, biggest or neatest expansion in the series’ history, Shadowkeep nonetheless sets a solid foundation for what’s to come.	Read review
PC Invasion	Jason Rodriguez	7 / 10	10-08-2019	Destiny 2: Shadowkeep has picture-perfect and grand setpieces on the moon, combined with excellent gunplay. Unfortunately, it’s also marred by a middling campaign, weak narrative, inane endgame activities, and repetitive mechanics. The only thing haunting this expansion is its inability to reach the heights of Forsaken.	Read review
PCGamesN	Richard Scott-Jones	7 / 10	10-03-2019	PvP still needs work, and the story is once again more style than substance. However, abundant content elsewhere	Read review
PlayStation LifeStyle	Chandler Wood	Recommended	10-22-2019	Destiny 2 expansions and seasons have to be some of the most difficult things to review, because unlike traditional static games, Bungie is constantly changing and adding things. It’s designed to be played over the long term, and most of the playerbase knows that. Shadowkeep is another watchtower along the way, guiding us through the Season of the Undying, Season of the Dawn, and beyond. We’re three weeks into a full year (and more) of Destiny 2 that began with something awakening on the moon. It will have its ups and downs, but ultimately Bungie has the ship pointed in the right direction, making Destiny better than it’s ever been before.	Read review
PlayStation Universe	Mark Kriska	9 / 10	10-05-2019	Destiny 2 has never felt, looked, or been in a better spot than it is with Shadowkeep. This is not only the most accessible Destiny has ever been, but with the introduction of New Light, it is also more in-depth than ever with a new focus on hardcore players. Shadowkeep is an elegant blend of nostalgia mixed with the discovery of a new direction for the universe of Destiny. If you have ever been on the fence about Destiny, it’s a perfect time to try.	Read review
Polygon	Ryan Gilliam	Recommended	10-15-2019	I’m not just excited about playing all that Shadowkeep has to offer, but also to see what’s happening next, and that’s a huge improvement from where the game was even a year ago.	Read review
PowerUp!	Leo Stevenson	9.3 / 10	10-17-2019	Bungie has clearly worked to reinvigorate Destiny 2 and Shadowkeep is a great step in the right direction.	Read review
Press Start	Brodie Gibbons	7.5 / 10	10-14-2019	The humanisation of Eris Morn, a once bleak caricature shrouded in mystique, along with a number of brave narrative turns help Shadowkeep along to a thrilling conclusion that sets Destiny up for another year to come. Though the core tweaks haven’t all landed, Shadowkeep takes a beatseat to only two before it in terms of delivering rounded, high-quality expansion experience.	Read review
Push Square	Liam Croft	6 / 10	10-06-2019	While its campaign is enjoyable in the moment, Destiny 2: Shadowkeep never manages to truly shake the fact that we already went to the Moon five years ago. For better or worse, this is just more Destiny, and that’s a positive for those enamoured with the franchise, but anyone who was hoping for a more dramatic overhaul of its core systems and mechanics will be left wanting. Bungie has huge plans for the future of Destiny 2, but Shadowkeep only delivers a small piece of that vision.	Read review
Rock, Paper, Shotgun	Alex Wiltshire	Recommended	10-09-2019	Even if Destiny’s horizon does seem as featureless as the moon itself, there’s still plenty of fun to be had in gobbling up everything in sight on the way there.	Read review
Saudi Gamer	Unknown	8 / 10	10-15-2019	The DLC offered an excellent content, while it considered as one of the smallest DLCs yet but we expect to have more content and continue the story from the future updates, therefore it’s hard to give a solid opinion for now.	Read review
Slant Magazine	Justin Clark	4 / 5 stars	10-10-2019	This expansion marks a sea change for the series, from one that keeps players begging for scraps to one that sets players up for a feast.	Read review
Softpedia	Cosmin Vasile	7.5 / 10	10-21-2019	It’s a pity that all these great changes are overshadowing the core content of the Shadowkeep expansion, but I can’t say I’m surprised. For newcomers to the universe, Destiny 2 will be quite overwhelming, while veterans of the series might not find enough reasons to buy the new Shadowkeep expansion unless they really want to check out the new raid and all the gear it drops. But I’m leaning towards “wait for sale.”	Read review
SpazioGames	Pasquale Fusco	7.8 / 10	10-12-2019	Quotation Forthcoming	Read review
Stevivor	Hamish Lindsay	9 / 10	10-05-2019	Shadowkeep is a big stride forward for Destiny 2, and it shows that Bungie cares about its game.	Read review
The Games Machine	Daniele Dolce	7.2 / 10	10-08-2019	Shadowkeep is an extremely lazy expansion that offers nothing more than the bare minimum of content. Some new sets of armor, a few additional weapons, several exotic and a pleasant additional endgame activity are of little use when everything else is in fact recycled from the past incarnations of the franchise. Let’s hope Bungie will somehow counterbalance the scarcity of present contents in the next season.	Read review
TheSixthAxis	Stefan L	8 / 10	10-16-2019	Destiny 2: Shadowkeep is another solid expansion for Bungie’s addictive looter shooter. It’s a mixed bag, building on the solid foundations of Destiny 2: Forsaken with some ideas working better than others. This is a new era for Bungie though, with an ambitious vision of a game that’s constantly evolving from week to week, and the first glimpses of this already giving me real optimism for its future.	Read review
Too Much Gaming	Carlos Hernandez	6 / 10	11-25-2019	This is Bungie’s first take on releasing content on its own as a studio, and just how aggressive they will be in releasing future content is still a big mystery. It has only been a few months in, but the current state of Destiny 2 shows that it’s aimed in the right direction. Shadowkeep is a reminder that not everything can go as planned, and that this new journey for the Destiny franchise can still be a bumpy ride.	Read review
Twinfinite	Ed McGlone	3.5 / 5 stars	10-10-2019	As of right now, Shadowkeep is a mix of hits and misses and feels a bit incomplete in certain areas. It does just enough though to keep the dedicated player invested while they wait for more content to trickle out throughout the year.	Read review
USgamer	Caty McCarthy	3 / 5 stars	10-08-2019	Destiny 2: Shadowkeep is the same satisfying Destiny 2 you’ve been playing (or not playing) all along. The combat feels good, the art direction’s stunning, the lore is mysterious in all the right ways. But it also fumbles in a lot of areas: its campaign is among Destiny’s weakest, there isn’t a lot of new loot, and its newly introduced systems are so convoluted that I found myself wishing there was a tutorial buried in a menu somewhere. Still, it’s a promising start for the future of Destiny 2, which is really what this expansion seems to be as a whole: the baby steps for something bigger, with no end in sight.	Read review
VG247	Lauren Aitken	Recommended	10-07-2019	Where Shadowkeep’s story will take us remains to be seen, but the inclusion of Destiny’s core mechanics in a brilliantly revamped location has reinvigorated Destiny 2 just as it was starting to get a little stale.	Read review
Wccftech	Kai Powell	7.6 / 10	10-16-2019	Destiny 2: Shadowkeep pulled me back in after two years away from my guardian with the promise of ever-evolving seasons and new content to play once more. The initial offering was very light on story and loot but I can only hope to see more content come in subsequent Shadowkeep seasons	Read review
Windows Central	Asher Madan	3.5 / 5 stars	10-07-2019	Destiny 2: Shadowkeep elevates the gameplay, but falters on a storytelling front.	Read review

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Something stirs on the surface of our forgotten moon – spiritual remnants of the past, haunted by the memories of their deaths. So strong is their torment that it has begun to reshape reality itself, calling forth waking nightmares that mimic foes once thought conquered by Guardians: warlords, mercenaries, prisoners, and disciples now imbued with dark power, fed by fear itself.

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Destiny 2: Shadowkeep

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Critic Reviews for Destiny 2: Shadowkeep

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