Reviving a Classic: Bungie’s Modern Take on The Sunless Cell in Destiny 2

Episode Heresy – Act III made its debut in Destiny 2 last week, marking the conclusion of the game’s three-part saga that picks up after the events of The Final Shape. This season, Guardians are in for a nostalgic treat as they revisit a classic mission resurrected from the original Destiny.

We’re talking about The Sunless Cell, a strike that first saw the light of day in The Taken King expansion nearly ten years ago. Destiny 2’s universe has evolved considerably since then, both in its storytelling and tech capabilities. The challenge is to stay true to its original gameplay while seamlessly fitting into Destiny 2’s modern framework. Fortunately, Bungie has honed the art of these revivals, ensuring that old favorites maintain their charm while offering fresh experiences within the current storyline.

But what’s the secret sauce in reviving such iconic content? Destiny 2 Design Lead Baldur Tangvald and Designer J. Valencia shed light on this process in a chat with Wire. They dive into the meticulous craft of selecting stories from a decade-long archive and adapting them for both seasoned players and newcomers.

Valencia explains that the process begins by pinpointing the elements that make a strike memorable—the standout moments and the flow of the experience. “We then adapt the core of the original strike to align with Destiny 2’s current dynamics,” Valencia elaborates. This means denser combat scenarios and introducing new enemy factions while preserving the essence of the initial experience.

Episode Heresy has a strong focus on the Hive—a formidable race central to Destiny’s narrative and the source of many villainous foes. A key location is the Dreadnaught, an expansive Hive-infested zone. This space also doubles as the backdrop for Heresy’s The Nether activity as well as the original Sunless Cell strike. Valencia notes that the Hive-centric story made including this strike a natural choice. During development, efforts were made to expand areas like The Founts early in the strike to enhance combat dynamics and deepen the narrative. By doing so, they injected new life into the strike and enriched the gameplay experience.

The Sunless Cell was a beloved favorite of Destiny’s early aficionados. Though its simplicity stands out in contrast to newer strikes, certain combat moments retain their uniqueness even today. Notably, its boss encounter with Alak-Hul, The Darkblade unfurled in utter darkness, uniquely gripping players in a frantic chase with suspense and surprise.

“The inky blackness embellished by Cursed Thrall heads and Hive crystals brought a menacing vibe,” Tangvald reminisces. “This quirky environment created an intriguing set of combat challenges and perfectly conveyed peril.” It felt like a knife fight in a pitch-black closet—an experience unmatched by any other strike boss.

In recrafting the strike for modern Destiny 2 players, Bungie aimed to integrate contemporary Hive elements into the story. The haunting Alak-Hul replaced by a formidable new Darkblade allied with the mysterious Taken. Now, Guardians must thwart this new menace while managing Taken foes, preventing them from succumbing to the same fate.

Despite narrative updates to sync with Heresy’s overarching plot, the strike’s foundation honors its origins, laced with unexpected twists to keep players on their toes.

Interestingly, Destiny’s enduring legacy sees some original fans now working at Bungie, recreating cherished memories for new and old players alike. “About a decade ago, I championed this strike during my interviews at Bungie,” shares Tangvald. “We’re thrilled to reintroduce it, cherishing its special qualities, and we hope you relish it as much as we do!”

Destiny 2: Heresy is available for players on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, ready for free download and exploration.

Dive into the cosmos of Destiny 2, unravel its solar mysteries and engage in thrilling first-person combat. Deck out your Guardian with powerful abilities and unique gear. Whether tackling epic co-op missions or facing others in PvP, Destiny 2 offers a vast universe to explore alone or with allies. Download the game today and start writing your legend in the stars.

Explore deep storytelling as a Guardian, safeguarding humanity’s final bastion from notorious villains. Choose between Titan, Warlock, or Hunter classes, each bringing unique strengths to battle. Engage in cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes, joining forces or clashing in diverse settings. Collect rare weapons and armor to tailor your Guardian’s look and feel.

Keep an eye out for special events like the Iron Banner, with bonuses up for grabs for a limited time. Prepare for exhilarating adventures across Destiny’s expansive universe, where every choice shapes your legend.