IGN’s “Destiny 2: The Final Shape Preview – First Hands-On Impressions” was published on May 28, 2024, after a preview session at Bungie. Its description identifies three subjects—Prismatic, Exotic gear, and story—but does not provide a transcript or enough detail to substantiate specific first-person gameplay claims. The expansion later launched on June 4, 2024; this is a look back at what the preview was framed to cover, not a review of the finished game.
What IGN’s “First Hands-On Impressions” refers to
The title refers to a pre-release IGN video, published May 28, 2024. IGN describes its impressions as coming from a hands-on preview session at Bungie and names Prismatic, Exotic gear, and story as the subjects. The available description does not establish what specific encounters or abilities were played, so it would be misleading to attribute detailed combat observations or a verdict to the video without its transcript.
What The Final Shape was set to include
Bungie’s official guide gives June 4, 2024 as the launch date. It describes a campaign pursuing the Witness through the Traveler, a new destination called the Pale Heart, the Prismatic subclass, new activities, a new raid, and campaign difficulty choices. Those are Bungie’s product descriptions, not independent findings from IGN’s preview.
Bungie’s The Final Shape guide.
How the separate Game Informer preview differs
Game Informer also published a preview on May 28, 2024, but its evidence came from hands-off demonstrations rather than the hands-on session described by IGN. Matt Miller’s account focused mainly on the first mission and a strike, and discussed the Pale Heart, Dread enemies, campaign design, and who might find the expansion appealing. Its observations should not be presented as IGN’s experience.
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![Destiny 2: The Final Shape (Post-Launch) - Xbox [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41BK0-w+w7L._SL160_.jpg)
- For the first time ever, Prismatic empowers you to combine Arc, Solar, Void, Stasis, and Strand into a custom subclass of your design. Light and Darkness have no quarrel within you, Guardian.
- The Final Shape looms—a nightmarish calcification of reality into the Witness's twisted design. Embark on a perilous journey into the heart of the Traveler, rally the Vanguard, and end the War of Light and Darkness.
| Preview | Evidence basis | Reported scope |
|---|---|---|
| IGN, May 28, 2024 | Hands-on preview session at Bungie, as described by IGN | Prismatic, Exotic gear, and story; the available description gives no transcript or detailed play account |
| Game Informer, May 28, 2024 | Hands-off demonstrations, as described by Game Informer | Mainly the first mission and a strike, with discussion of the Pale Heart, Dread, campaign design, and audience fit |
Read Game Informer’s separate preview.
What happened at launch, and the intended story order
Bungie’s launch article said to complete the campaign and the Wild Card Exotic quest before beginning the Salvation’s Edge raid for the intended story order. It also announced that the first Episode, Echoes, would begin June 11, 2024. These dates and sequencing describe Bungie’s 2024 launch plan.
The same article listed quality-of-life changes including a vault increase to 700 spaces and a revamped Power system. It also announced a Destiny 2 and Dungeons & Dragons collaboration with in-game cosmetics and a planned Eye Tyrant Beholder Ghost shell vinyl figure.
Rank #2
![Destiny 2: The Final Shape + Annual Pass (Post-Launch) - Xbox [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41te7BZ8GmL._SL160_.jpg)
- The Annual Pass edition includes The Final Shape story campaign, new destination, three new Supers, new weapons and armor to collect.
- The Final Shape Dungeon Key, catalyst and ornament for the new and instantly unlocked Tessellation Exotic Fusion Rifle, one Secret Stash delivered during each Episode, an Exotic Sparrow, and three Episodes in the year of The Final Shape.
Which edition included the Collector’s Edition memorabilia?
Bungie documented Standard, Annual Pass, and Collector’s Edition versions. Its editions guide says the Collector’s Edition included Annual Pass content along with physical items such as a Destiny 1 Tower replica, miniature character figures, a mission patch, and a lore book. The guide does not establish current price, retailer stock, or availability, so those details need checking with a current seller.
Bungie’s editions and pre-order bonuses guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to read these impressions now
The previews were published before launch and should be read as snapshots of limited access, not as final reviews. IGN’s title and description support the narrow conclusion that it reported hands-on impressions centered on Prismatic, Exotics, and story. Game Informer provides a distinct account of what it saw in hands-off demonstrations. Neither source, on the evidence described here, supports treating those previews as a complete assessment of the released expansion.
There is also later service context. In a May 21, 2026 announcement, Bungie said the June 9, 2026 Monument of Triumph update would be Destiny 2’s final live-service content update, while the game would remain playable. That changes the present-day context for the 2024 preview, but does not mean Destiny 2 has shut down.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
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- Comes in a bathtub display box, featuring the Destiny logo and the ability to stack on top of other Tubbz
- This officially licensed gift is part of the TUBBZ range, a highly collectable series of pop culture characters in duck form
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- Approximately 9cm (3.54”) tall when outside of tub display stand (some may vary)
Bungie’s May 21, 2026 announcement.
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