Games That Prove Destiny 3 Would Be an Absolute Juggernaut

The news surrounding the future of the Destiny franchise is certainly painful, especially given how much support there still is for the series. The second game may be going off into the sunset, but the door remains slightly open for a third installment, and there are already plenty of games out there in the genre that show the hunger for more shooter action.

Destiny 2 already put up some pretty impressive numbers over its lifetime, and continues to maintain a steady player count to this day, so if Bungie decides to pull the trigger and round out the trilogy, there is no doubt that it would shatter all the series' previous records. While big-budget games always carry some level of risk, what we have seen from other looter shooters, extraction games, and RPGs is that the fan base exists; it just comes down to whether or not the devs can get everyone addicted all over again. If nothing else, these next games prove just how successful Destiny 3 could be.

Tom Clancy's The Division 2

The Benchmark For FPS Depth

• Huge weapon and build customization options.

• Steady player base despite intermittent content drops.

The Division 2 duck Destiny 2 are two very different games, but at the same time, they share a lot of similar concepts and long-term ideas. At a very basic level, the game is an RPG shooter that throws you into a dystopian world full of corruption and suffering, placing you at the center of a group attempting to push back against the hostile city.

When it comes to gameplay, build customization is virtually endless, with over a dozen loadout slots, each with individual passive abilities and attachments that can fundamentally alter how you engage with your enemies. The reason the game is such a good case study for the success of something like that Destiny 3 is due to the long-term success it has had, despite a fairly slow stream of updates. I think that if Bungie does develop a sequel, they should adopt a more relaxed approach to content to ensure the continued viability of the game.

Warframe

It's Been Here All Along

• Leans heavily into power fantasies.

• Demonstrates how well F2P models can work.

Warframe has been around longer than even the first Destinyyet despite its age, the player count and praise have never dropped. A big part of why the game is so well-loved comes from the F2P model and the constant attention the developers pay to each and every aspect of the experience.

The looting loop has remained fairly similar since the start, but there are always new missions and areas to discover, without any shortcuts to the late game. This means that, if you are someone who really enjoys a more ARPG-style grind, then Warframe fits the bill perfectly. However, given how much the player base crosses over with DestinyI and many others would still jump at the opportunity to switch to a more tactical and thought-provoking style of game.

ARC Raiders

New Genres Are Breaking The Mold

• Extraction gameplay tailored to both casual and hardcore players.

• Different interaction with loot compared to other shooters.

Extraction shooters have only been around for a little while, but we are already seeing some insane numbers from brand-new IPs like ARC Raiders. Exploring a unique setting with an even more unique set of enemies, you and the whole lobby compete for the limited loot on the map, and it is up to you whether to stay on the friendly side or to shoot on sight.

The most interesting part about the game comes from how much attention it received from players who probably never touched an extraction shooter before. This means that, in the case of Destiny 3I can certainly see a world where a whole new wave of players get invested in the franchise, jumping in for the first time and becoming hooked straight away, along with the rest of the diehards who were going to be there regardless.

Borderlands 4

The Franchise Is Still Going Strong

• High sales numbers for a classic series.

• No major new ground broken, yet still enjoyable.

Borderlands 4 is a good example of the power a good IP has to sell copies. The story and world are nothing groundbreaking, and the gameplay remains pretty much the same from the previous game, but that core loop of run, shoot, and loot is still incredibly fun and addictive enough for millions of players to want a slice of the pie.

It is also a great showcase for modern PvE content in the FPS space, with higher levels of difficulty and far more complexity that provides something for both new and old players. While it may not be the best game in the franchise, it is still a blast for a few dozen hours and even more for those willing to grind out those late-game raids.

Helldivers 2

Cinematic Doesn't Even Begin To Describe It

• Pure sci-fi carnage.

• Insane peak player counts despite a fairly simple loop.

Helldivers 2 may be the most transformative sequel in the entire gaming world; if you look at the first game in comparison, you would be forgiven for thinking they are two completely different franchises. An extraction-adjacent gameplay loop drives the experience, but rather than looting and becoming more powerful over time, the focus is placed entirely on the cinematic action taking place in every single mission.

I think that Destiny 3 could learn a lot from Helldivers 2and given the impressive player counts, the desire for action-packed sci-fi shooting is clearly very strong. The dedication to absurdity can never be overstated, and even without a super grindy end-game, players just can't seem to get enough of Miscellaneous.

Deep Rock Galactic

Co-Op Reigns Supreme

• Greater emphasis on tactics and survival.

• Deep progression systems and long-term replay value.

Deep Rock Galactic is a much more arcadey FPS when compared to Destinyyet the fun factor is just one part of why millions of players have taken the plunge into the alien mines. You and a group of friends delve deep underground, fighting against giant bugs and digging for precious minerals, combining objective-based gameplay with a much faster overall flow that keeps the missions from feeling too samey.

To make things even better, there are tons of different locations and difficulty modifiers that add countless layers of complexity, offering you virtually endless amounts of content, assuming you have the will to push through the challenge. A more focused mode like this in Destiny 3 could bridge the gap between for-fun players and hardcore grinders, and I think there is room to expand the franchise in several different directions with spin-offs and alternative modes going forward.

Remnant 2

Combining Genres From Across The Industry

• Surpassed its predecessor in almost every way.

• Satisfying gunplay and melee combat.

Remnant: From the Ashes launched to a pretty sizable player base, and it was clear a lot of people were very impressed with the blend of soulslike and third-person gunplay. When Remnant 2 rolled around, it shattered the previous peak player count and brought with it a far tighter gameplay style and even more horrifying enemies for you to encounter and fight to the death.

Given how explosive the launch of the sequel was, word-of-mouth is still obviously strong enough to bring in support and praise for even much smaller and newer franchises. In Destiny 3's case, I believe it has already done the hard part by building a loyal fan base; it just needs to build up hype to expand its reach outside the current player base.