Image: NetEase Games
The upcoming mobile game Destiny: Rising from NetEase Games aims to revive the thrill of the original Destiny grind in a new format — but with a twist. The game, currently in a closed alpha, reimagines Destiny for mobile audiences by combining familiar gameplay elements with the gacha system popular in games like Genshin Impact. With its nostalgic appeal, Destiny: Rising has caught the attention of long-time fans, but some are wary about how the gacha mechanics may impact the traditional Destiny experience.
The core of Destiny: Rising sticks to classic Destiny activities. Players can dive into campaign missions, complete strikes and bounties, tackle roguelite challenges, and even participate in raid-like activities. But unlike the mainline games, Rising is a gacha game, which means players collect characters and weapons through random pulls. These characters and gear take time and effort — or currency — to upgrade, tapping into the feeling of accomplishment that defined Destiny‘s original grind. For some players, this gameplay loop brings back memories of chasing legendary gear in Destiny, like the elusive Gjallarhorn rocket launcher or the Black Spindle sniper rifle, items that required immense time and dedication.
However, Destiny: Rising is fundamentally different in that players can potentially bypass the grind by paying. While the exact costs of in-game purchases remain unclear due to the game’s alpha status, the gacha model often encourages spending to accelerate progress. This dynamic is likely to affect how players perceive in-game achievements, as they won’t be able to easily distinguish between those who earned rare items through gameplay and those who purchased them. As a result, some players worry this will dampen the sense of community achievement that has long been a hallmark of the Destiny series.
The introduction of the gacha system to Destiny gameplay is not without benefits. It allows for a more casual approach, as players can log in and gradually build their character without investing huge amounts of time. This is especially appealing for Destiny veterans who now have busier schedules, giving them a way to enjoy the universe they love at a more manageable pace. Fans have also praised the game for its visual appeal and attention to detail, noting that it retains the familiar, immersive design of the Destiny universe, complete with intense firefights and well-crafted maps.
In Destiny: Rising, players can power up characters and weapons through various in-game currencies, which may be earned slowly through gameplay or obtained faster with real money. Though some players have successfully collected rare characters and weapons in the alpha without spending any money, the long-term viability of a free-to-play approach remains uncertain. Much of the final experience will depend on how generous NetEase is with free currency and whether the game allows for meaningful progression without heavy spending.
Despite these reservations, Destiny: Rising has the potential to capture both the nostalgia of original Destiny fans and the interest of new players seeking a mobile action RPG. The game’s balance between grind and gacha elements will ultimately determine if it can replicate the community-driven excitement that defined early Destiny gameplay or if the pay-to-win nature will overshadow its appeal.
If Destiny: Rising can create a fair system that rewards both time and skill, it may establish itself as a unique addition to the mobile gaming space. However, some fans worry that the gacha model will shift the experience from a test of dedication to one of deep pockets. For longtime Destiny players, the appeal of seeing rare loot as a badge of hard-earned accomplishment could be lost in translation on mobile.
