Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 22
  2. Negative: 2 out of 22
  1. Nov 20, 2020
    90
    Beyond Light is an incredibly strong reminder that what Bungie has been delivering to Destiny is more than an expansion-a-year live service game, but an ever-evolving, grim dark world filled with rich lore, nuanced characters, and questions yet unanswered. While the plot has a mix of missed (or purposefully delayed) opportunities with developing some characters while creating some powerful, gut-wrenchingly emotional moments with others.
  2. Nov 24, 2020
    82
    Beyond Light brings a fresh start of sorts for a game trying to continue the success after Forsaken and reclaim a bit of that spark lost during Shadowkeep and subsequent seasons.
  3. Dec 18, 2020
    80
    Beyond Light is approaching the quality of both Forsaken and The Taken King.
  4. Dec 1, 2020
    80
    Despite a few hiccups, Beyond Light sets the stage for a triumphant year of Destiny 2. If the franchise continues this way, the best is yet to come.
  5. Nov 30, 2020
    80
    One of Destiny 2’s best expansions thus far, providing an assured roadmap for the series to move into. It is just more Destiny though.
  6. Nov 26, 2020
    80
    Beyond Light is undoubtedly in the upper tier of Destiny expansions, but its arrival has disrupted the game in ways that pose big challenges for Bungie in the months ahead.
  7. Nov 24, 2020
    80
    Beyond Light might not be the biggest expansion, but it does feel like we've entered a new chapter in the game's life, with new priorities and an approach that makes the game more resonant in a way that goes beyond satisfying shooting. On the whole, Destiny 2 might be more of the same than it is different, but what's the same about it--like its phenomenal raids and tight, satisfying gameplay--is still largely pretty great, and what's different is mostly making the game all the more worthwhile.
  8. Nov 24, 2020
    80
    Beyond Light is a fun campaign on a beautiful and expansive new world, but Destiny 2 is still some way from being the best version of itself.
  9. Nov 19, 2020
    80
    Destiny 2: Beyond Light is a new foundation for the game. Bungie is looking to build on that foundation in a way that is more future-proofed than Destiny 2 ever was. I think this was a great start. Not only does it allow for easier access to new players, but it provides for a cleaner experience for everybody. Sure, this is nowhere near the fantastic content brought to Destiny in the Forsaken expansion, but Beyond Light still has a lot to offer.
  10. Dec 2, 2020
    75
    The hope is to see a nice escalation that, within a year, will lead players to welcome Savanthun's return with the right enthusiasm.
  11. Nov 24, 2020
    75
    Destiny 2: Beyond Light is the beginning of something great, the beginning of a probably radiant cycle that looks to the glories of the future by answering the dark questions of the past.
  12. Nov 17, 2020
    75
    Destiny is still a great game, with an almost unmatched gunplay, but it feels like this expansion takes more than it gives. Only recommended for hardcore fans of the game.
  13. Nov 15, 2020
    75
    Beyond the Light is an extension that delivers an experience at the border between excellence and inertia. On the one hand, Bungie delivers many answers for its universe and for the fans, and offers an incredibly beautiful new destination, but on the other, it is clear that the studio has not changed the formula it initiated several years ago one iota.
  14. Nov 17, 2020
    72
    While the new location, the plot and Stasis as a new subclass type do enhance Destiny 2, Beyond Light adds too little overall.
  15. Jan 4, 2021
    70
    Destiny 2: Beyond Light is worth the investment for existing fans of the genre and franchise. Otherwise, the best way to experience this expansion is through Game Pass on Xbox or PC.
  16. Nov 24, 2020
    70
    Destiny 2: Beyond Light is another solid expansion to the ever-evolving shooter that you know and love, but falls prey to the same content scarcity and repetitious grind it’s always had. The campaign is short, but enjoyable, and the raid is awesome enough to make the less pleasant parts of the grind worth it in the end.
  17. Nov 16, 2020
    70
    Beyond Light's weak story leaves a lot to be desired, but new stasis abilities help make the game feel fresh again.
  18. Nov 14, 2020
    70
    I didn't get my socks blown off by Beyond Light. But it did have its moments, and it did convince me that there will be plenty more of those moments yet to come.
  19. Nov 27, 2020
    60
    Post-sunsetting and content vaulting, Destiny 2: Beyond Light had some big expectations to meet. Instead, it plays things safe, delivering a boring main campaign, the usual Power grind and routine busywork to keep players engaged. Even with some interesting story bits, strong art direction and a fun raid, it's hard to recommend for both new players and die-hard fans.
  20. Nov 17, 2020
    50
    Under normal circumstances, Beyond Light would have been a somewhat decent expansion with little new content, despite an engaging plot. However, the vaulting of much of the old content – most of which paid in hard cash by the users – represents an unforgivable sin since all the new activities and equipment of Beyond Light fail to come close to the amount of content removed. If Bungie continues to walk on this self-destructive path, it risks to irreparably compromise the future of Destiny 2.
  21. Dec 7, 2020
    40
    Beyond Light is the first note in a dirge for Destiny 2, and major steps need to be taken by Bungie to fix the issues caused by sunsetting and content vaulting. But regardless of what Bungie’s next steps are at this point, it’s difficult to feel excitement for any future expansions given the direction Destiny 2 is headed in.
  22. Nov 30, 2020
    30
    Beyond Light fails at pushing Destiny 2 in a good direction. It's lacking in countless ways, from the campaign to the seasonal content, and it doesn't give you nearly enough for the price. Even the most hardcore Destiny fans will probably find plenty to dislike here, and casual players should skip this without a second thought.
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  1. Dec 7, 2020
    This is an incredibly ambitious game that really feels like it is trying to push things forward in a meaningful way, and when it all is clicking, it is truly magical. But, it is on shaky legs. You definitely get the sense that the tech quite can't handle everything it is trying to do. You start to see the seams in a disappointing way. [30 Hour Impressions]
  2. Nov 13, 2020
    Destiny expansions are supposed to give new life to the game. They’re fresh starts after whatever disappointments existed in previous seasons or DLCs. However, Destiny 2: Beyond Light has several problems and questionable decisions that make the first week alone already feel like a letdown. This is nowhere close to what Forsaken provided, and it doesn’t scratch the itch the same way that Shadowkeep did. In any case, I’ll see what the weekend holds, level up my two other characters, and discern if Destiny 2: Beyond Light is worthwhile.
  3. Nov 20, 2020
    The best part about Beyond Light is that it looks and feels like a sequel without needing to start from scratch. A new power set like this isn’t something I expected to see out of an expansion. In that way, Beyond Light answers a question that’s given me serious doubts as a fan: how much can Bungie change Destiny 2 without moving to a new game entirely? For the first time, Beyond Light feels like Destiny 2 is truly putty in Bungie’s hands, rather than a titanic ship that takes eons to turn. [Polygon Recommends]
  4. Nov 12, 2020
    Beyond Light has an excellent campaign and Europa is an awesome patrol zone, but the lack of new loot and the terrible Stasis balancing make the expansion difficult to recommend.
User Score
4.1

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 139 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 47 out of 139
  2. Negative: 83 out of 139
  1. Nov 16, 2020
    2
    They somehow don't know how to make content. Yet asking big premium for the little they do produce. They are a 600 people studio and theThey somehow don't know how to make content. Yet asking big premium for the little they do produce. They are a 600 people studio and the amount of content is equal to an indie studio. Full Review »
  2. Nov 12, 2020
    2
    Bungie charges premium price for an expansion that actually removes 75% of existing content and loot. Stay away, much better shooter's out there.
  3. Nov 12, 2020
    2
    I bought all DLS and seasonals for the sake of taking away DLS and giving Europe .... Minus 70% of the content, what can I lose, I knew how toI bought all DLS and seasonals for the sake of taking away DLS and giving Europe .... Minus 70% of the content, what can I lose, I knew how to play the game in garbage and I’ll score on it when there is no content, but what is given for a couple of weeks is enough .. bye Destiny Full Review »