Destiny 2 may have technically “finished,” but the game still has a very active fanbase that wants to experience it in its entirety. Fortunately for those types of players, Bungie has confirmed that the entire Destiny 2 will be unvaulted, which could make some wonder what the complete order to play the game is.
From The Cosmodrome to The Final Shape, this article highlights the complete order to play Destiny 2 for those who want to experience the game the right way.
1: The Cosmodrome
Every new character starts in an old spaceport. This area has some short missions, introduces players to their Ghost, and gives some starter weapons. The intro area ends at the Tower, the main hub where players can access vendors, quests, and other parts of the game, while the Director becomes a place where players can navigate through activities.
2: Red War, Curse of Osiris, and Warmind
The story starts when Ghaul, a Cabal commander, takes the Last City in September 2017 and takes the Guardians’ Light. Mercury hosts Curse of Osiris that December, and then Mars with Warmind in May 2018. All of these were pulled in Late 2020 and cannot be played until Bungie unvaults them. If the player is going through these campaigns before they’re back, then they can check the Timeline in the Director to replay select story missions, then check a recap video.
3: Forsaken
Forsaken launched in September 2018. The story has the player look for Uldren Sov through the Tangled Shore and the Dreaming City. Fans believe Forsaken is one of the high points of the game’s early years. The campaign was vaulted in 2022, but players can still access the Dreaming City. The Forsaken Pack gives access to other content like the Last Wish raid and Shattered Throne dungeon. Players should review the story summary because later stories keep returning to it.
4: Shadowkeep
Taking place on the Moon in October 2019, Eris Morn warns players of Nightmares drawn from their past. The Darkness stops being a rumor and becomes a major part of the plot. Since Shadowkeep launched alongside the free New Light update, new players usually reach it early. Shadowkeep’s campaign is free, while the Shadowkeep Pack is a paid add-on that unlocks other content like Exotic gear, the Pit of Heresy dungeon, and the Garden of Salvation raid.
5: Beyond Light
The Fallen leader Eramis has plans for Europa, a cold and quiet moon in November 2020. The campaign is short, but it affects numerous points in later campaigns. It introduces Stasis, the first subclass powered by the Darkness, and the Exo Stranger becomes a bigger part of the story. Players should avoid skipping it because it’s a major part of the game’s story.
6: The Witch Queen
The plot changes from an open war to a mystery inside Savathun’s Throne World in February 2022. The expansion introduced Legendary difficulty, the Lucent Hive, and weapon crafting. The Witch Queen is considered one of the best campaigns in Destiny 2.
7: Lightfall
Lightfall launched in February 2023 after the events of Season of the Seraph, which was the final seasonal storyline before the expansion. The campaign introduces Neomuna, a neon city that’s visually different from every other place in the game. Lightfall also introduced Strand, the second Darkness subclass, and gave Witness a major role in the story. Despite Lightfall’s mixed reception, it sets up The Final Shape, so it’s a must-play for those who want the full story.
8: The Final Shape
A decade of storytelling led players to The Final Shape, which ended the Saga in June 2024 that started with the first Destiny in 2014. Guardians enter the Traveler’s Pale Heart and confront the Witness. Echoes, Revenant, and Heresy followed as Episodes over the following year, adding story content, activities, and gear, but Bungie vaulted those Episodes when Year 8 began in July 2025.
9: Edge of Fate and Renegades
Edge of Fate dropped in July 2025 and started the Fate Saga, with new factions and a reworked power system. Renegades then came out in December and continued the story. Neither of these expansions is free, but they should be played last for those Destiny 2 players wanting to play in order.
