Destiny 2 players are finding ways to revisit content that was removed from the game through Bungie's controversial content vault. While these new tools do not allow for replaying missions or activities, they offer a means of exploring environments that have been inaccessible for years. This effort comes approximately two months after the end of live service development for the game.
In June 2020, Bungie announced the content vault, a measure taken to streamline the long-term development of Destiny 2. The launch of the Beyond Light expansion coincided with the removal of numerous in-game elements, including story campaigns, regions, and various activities. This decision proved unpopular, particularly as players had paid for access to some of the content that was subsequently culled.
Now, a developer known as stanuwu is releasing a tool called Destiny 2 Shadowkeep Singleplayer Exploration Mode. This upcoming utility enables users to load into and freely navigate environments from the last Destiny 2 build released before the Beyond Light content vaulting. The tool is intended purely for exploration and preservation, with no gameplay mechanics implemented.
To use the tool, players will need to provide their own requisite Season of Arrivals build. Once loaded, the maps will be devoid of enemies, NPCs, and activities. However, it will permit users to traverse Destiny 2 destinations that have been absent from the game for half a decade. Features such as flight and noclip will be available, allowing for unrestricted movement through these preserved spaces. One notable area players may revisit is the Echo Basin on Io, described as one of Destiny's more alien-feeling regions that has not been seen since its vaulting in 2020.
Stanuwu's work is seen as a valuable preservation tool, especially given that Bungie does not appear to have its own readily accessible method for accessing all of its vaulted material. By making these spaces explorable again, the project helps ensure that Destiny 2's environmental art and design will remain accessible. The tool is planned for release within the next two weeks and will be free and open-source upon launch.