After numerous leaks, Bungie today officially announced Rise of Iron, the next expansion for Destiny. During a livestream event, Bungie confirmed that, as rumored, Rise of Iron will be exclusive to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of the game. All of the game’s previous expansions were released on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 as well.
Rise of Iron launches on September 20, priced at $30. However, it does also require the Destiny base game, as well as The Dark Below, House of Wolves, and The Taken King.
“Rise of Iron is an exciting addition to the Destiny universe,” Bungie CEO Pete Parsons said in a statement. “We are continually blown away and inspired by the growing Destiny community’s energy and enthusiasm.”
The expansion includes new areas, including The Plaguelands and Felwinter Peak. Additionally, the Destiny starting area, The Wall, has been recreated as a new area you can revisit.
Players will also find a new raid, new and updated strikes, and more patrols and public events. Multiplayer fans may be happy to learn, too, that there will be more Crucible maps and features, while Rise of Iron also adds new CG and in-game cinematics.
Additionally, Rise of Iron comes with a new Light level increase (an unspecified “significant Light increase,” developers said) and a new “mutated” enemy faction of the Fallen.
One of the new weapons is a “flaming waraxe,” which is an “encounter-specific weapon,” developers said. This suggests it may not be available in Crucible matches. Here is what it looks like.
In terms of story, here is the official description:
“Guardians must rise to the challenge to take their place as the next generation of Iron Lords. Along the way they will join forces with a legend from humanity’s Golden Age to defeat a plague of unstoppable evil once and for all.”
Also during the livestream event, Bungie confirmed that the fan-favorite Gjallarhorn weapon is returning for Rise of Iron. Everyone can get it by completing a mission, while people who preorder will receive a limited-edition black and silver version of the gun.
Similar to past Destiny expansions, there will also be items exclusive to PlayStation players for a period of time. Bungie did not announce this content today, but said more details on this, and other things related to Rise of Iron, are coming “at a later date.”
At the end of the livestream today, Bungie teased that more details may be shared at E3 2016 next week. Keep checking back with GameSpot for more on Rise of Iron.
Looking ahead, Bungie will release a Destiny sequel in 2017; according to a report, the game was recently rebooted.