Parents' Guide to Destiny 2: Shadowkeep

The second major expansion to Bungie's online sci-fi shooter is a mixed bag. Destiny 2: Shadowkeep is praiseworthy for allowing new players to jump in without needing to purchase the original game. And it smartly keeps core elements that worked -- namely, the fantastic shooting and traversal mechanics -- while making bold moves to evolve the series. For example, weapon modifications are much more substantial, allowing players to essentially boost their favorite guns beyond their Power limits. And the range of activities that bestow useful rewards is now so diverse that players can pick and choose what they want to do according to their tastes and play styles while continuing to grow their characters, rather than be forced into quests and missions they're not interested in.

But for all the right moves Shadowkeep makes, some players are bound to be disappointed by how small it feels. The campaign missions can be completed in a single evening by a dedicated player, and the ending isn't satisfying. More quests are slated to be doled out following the expansion's release, expanding the story and lore, but that will do little to soothe players who expect more instant gratification. And while the evolution of the game's growth and quest systems are bound to be welcomed by those who have always enjoyed Destiny's complicated schemes, they'll likely do little to win over those who tend to get annoyed trying to work out what they need to do next. For all its changes, Destiny 2: Shadowkeep still feels an awful lot like the Destiny players have known for years. Whether that's a good thing will depend on the player.