Onslaught: Salvation – A New Chapter in Destiny 2’s Epic Saga
In the vibrant universe of Destiny 2, danger lurks at every corner. This is particularly true in the latest episode, Revenant, where players are introduced to an exciting new feature called Onslaught: Salvation. This immersive game mode sets the stage for intense battles, as players, known as Guardians, face relentless waves of enemies. The stakes are high, as the lives of innocent Eliksni captives hang in the balance. To save them, Guardians must arm themselves and charge fiercely into battle.
A New Wave-Based Challenge
Onslaught: Salvation is a notable addition to Destiny 2, providing a fresh, wave-based defensive activity for players. Here, three-Guardian fireteams are pitted against increasingly challenging waves of foes. This mode is designed to test both the strategic skills and combat abilities of players. In addition to engaging in combat, Guardians can also purchase powerful defensive units to fend off the invading hordes, adding another layer of depth to the gameplay.
Originally introduced in Destiny 2: Into the Light, the Onslaught mode was already intense and packed with memorable moments. However, with Onslaught: Salvation, the development team at Bungie has elevated the experience even further, incorporating feedback from the Destiny 2 community.
Community-Driven Enhancements
According to Destiny 2 designer Clayton Kisko, player feedback played a significant role in shaping Onslaught: Salvation. "There were a lot of great and constructive feedback from the community with the original Onslaught," Kisko shared. “The one we heard most often was that they wanted Bungie to invest in the mode with new maps, new enemies, and new defenses, and that is exactly what we are doing with Onslaught: Salvation.”
A Gothic Horror Theme
The new maps introduced in Onslaught: Salvation – Widow’s Court, Eventide Ruins, and Kell’s Grave – embrace a gothic horror aesthetic, which aligns perfectly with the chilling visual theme of the Revenant episode. If the original Onslaught focused on protecting the Last City from the forces of the Witness, Onslaught: Salvation takes a different approach. This time, the focus is on slaying monsters, battling evil, and saving the innocent, adding a thrilling narrative element to the gameplay.
Innovative Map Design
Onslaught maps are designed to deliver maximum tension and action in a compact space. Each of the three new maps has a unique layout, drawing on lessons learned from previous Onslaught maps. “This time around we were able to identify the design pain points early and got ahead of the enemy teleporting issues,” Kisko explained. “We ensured that there were at least three wide lanes for each Advanced Defense Unit (ADU) location. For Eventide Ruins, the larger map, we took our learnings from Mothyards (from the original Onslaught) and set out to make sure enemy spawn locations were closer to the ADU to ensure a closer time-to-complete to the other two maps.”
New Defensive Countermeasures
Guardians will also have access to new defensive countermeasures in Onslaught: Salvation. Players can utilize Air Strikes to unleash devastation on their enemies, or for those who prefer a more hands-on approach, there is the Rideable Turret. This powerful weapon is highly effective against clusters of enemies or single heavy units, such as the formidable Demolitionists who target ADUs.
“The Rideable Turret is good at mowing down clumps of enemies or damaging a single heavy unit like those deadly Demolitionists who like to attack the ADU,” said Kisko. However, the turret can overheat, requiring players to carefully manage their firing to avoid this drawback. Upgrades are available to increase the turret’s health and damage, with the final upgrade adding scorching rounds. This feature allows the turret to synergize with any of the rider’s Solar fragments or buildcrafting around scorching rounds, enhancing its effectiveness.
Engaging Gameplay Elements
Defending the ADU is a central component of Onslaught: Salvation, but it is not the only task that will keep Guardians engaged. Augmentation waves and bonus objectives will push players out of their comfort zones and challenge them to rely on more than just defensive countermeasures. Players will have to infiltrate the Revenant Nest to free captured Eliksni, adding a rescue mission to the game. Additionally, new shielded enemy units will appear, requiring Guardians to employ special ether-light cannons to defeat them.
A Rich Narrative Experience
Jonathan To, the narrative lead for Destiny 2, emphasized the importance of storytelling in Onslaught: Salvation. “The main writers for Onslaught: Salvation created some excellent character-building and exchanges between Spider, Crow, Eido, Eramis, and others,” he said. These characters bring depth to the game, with Crow discovering a new role in the City, Eido partnering with the player in a surprising way, and Eramis’ return adding intrigue to the narrative. Fans of the Eliksni and the Fallen saga will appreciate the rich storytelling woven into the gameplay.
Conclusion
Onslaught: Salvation is set to captivate players with its engaging gameplay, strategic depth, and immersive storytelling. Available with the release of Destiny 2: Revenant, this new mode promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for both veteran players and newcomers alike. Whether you are drawn to the gothic horror theme, the strategic challenges of wave-based defense, or the rich narrative elements, Onslaught: Salvation offers something for every Destiny 2 enthusiast. Prepare to arm yourself, face formidable foes, and save the innocent Eliksni when Destiny 2: Revenant launches on October 8. For more details, visit the official Destiny 2 website.
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