The Witch Queen‘s Full Campaign is Free in Destiny 2 Until February 26th

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

Bungie has made the entire The Witch Queen expansion campaign free-to-play in Destiny 2 for a limited-time period from February 7th, 2023 up until February 26th, 2023. This offers a 3 week window for all players to experience one of the most acclaimed story campaigns in franchise history.

Why is The Witch Queen Such a Monumental Destiny 2 Expansion?

Before analyzing the specifics of the free campaign offer, it‘s important to understand why The Witch Queen is considered such a monumental release for Destiny 2.

One of the Highest Rated Destiny Campaigns Among Critics

Based on OpenCritic data, The Witch Queen has a critic average review score of 88/100 – putting it among the highest critically rated Destiny 2 expansions ever, surpassing even massive hits like Forsaken.

The campaign specifically earns consistent praise, with IGN rating it a 9.5/10 and saying it "features the best storytelling the series has ever seen". The compelling characters, foreboding setting, and dramatic story beats left many critics awestruck.

Massive Sales Success Surpassing 1 Million Copies

Commercially, The Witch Queen performed incredibly well also – selling over 1 million copies worldwide in its first week based on Activision‘s quarterly financial reports.

This makes it one of the fastest selling expansions in Destiny history. The hype generated led to a surge of returning players and new Guardians alike diving into the Throne World.

Most Ambitious In-game Content Update Since Original Launch

Moreover, The Witch Queen shipped alongside the most ambitious in-game content update since Destiny 2 originally launched. The expansion wasn‘t just a self-contained DLC pack – it evolved core parts of the live service experience.

Most notably, the new weapon crafting system completely reinvented the loot game, adding much-requested depth. And the first-ever Legendary Campaign mode introduced higher stakes solo challenges never seen before.

All combined – it‘s clear why The Witch Queen is a seminal, not just another DLC pack. This background provides crucial context on the value of the free campaign offer.

Exact Details on The Witch Queen‘s Free Campaign Access

During this limited-time event from February 7th to 26th, 2023, the entire The Witch Queen expansion campaign is available for free to all Destiny 2 players on any platform.

  • 8 Story Missions spanning 6-8 hours
  • 3 Legend/Master Lost Sectors
  • Full Throne World Destination Playspace

The free campaign experience includes:

  • All difficulty options: Normal, Heroic, Legendary
  • Complete narrative arc involving Savathun and Hive lore
  • Early Lightbearer boss fights
  • Cliffhanger setting up Destiny 2: Lightfall

So essentially, anyone can experience this acclaimed tentpole release without paying the $40 USD full expansion cost.

However, it‘s important to clarify that other non-campaign pieces of The Witch Queen are still locked behind the paywall:

  • Vow of the Disciple Raid
  • Weapon Crafting System
  • Post-Campaign Questlines
  • Throne World Activities (Wellspring, etc)

But Bungie is specifically offering temporary free access to the self-contained story content that dominated headlines a year ago.

Analysis: Why is Bungie Running This Promo Before Lightfall?

Bungie has two clear incentives behind making The Witch Queen free temporarily:

1. Encourage Veterans to Return

Destiny 2 will mark 6 years of operation in September 2023. Many veteran players have cycled in-and-out as content cadences shift. Providing free access to last year‘s well-received expansion is a way to tempt lapsed Guardians to come back before the next chapter with Lightfall.

2. Recruit New Players into Destiny Universe

While Destiny 2 has touted itself as "free-to-play" since going independent in 2019, all expansions have still been paid. This free trial for The Witch Queen tears those barriers down. Bungie wants to incentivize new franchise fans before Lightfall ushers in the next era.

From a financial perspective, Bungie‘s bet seems to be that exposing the Destiny universe to fresh eyes will pay off in Lightfall sales soon after. Early progress may even carry over if players ultimately buy The Witch Queen after this event ends.

Should You Play Through The Witch Queen Campaign?

For Destiny newcomers or lapsed players considering jumping back in, The Witch Queen campaign is a definitive yes during this free period. Even without the crafting, endgame content, or gear, the story experience alone is utterly worth it and accessible to all.

  • Rich Lore – Dive deeper into Destiny‘s lore surrounding Savathun and the mysteries of the Light
  • Storytelling – Praised as Destiny‘s best narrative with genuinely shocking plot twists
  • Varied Missions – Cool setpieces like infiltrating Lucent Hive fortresses keeps things exciting
  • Destination & Ambience – The creepy, foggy Throne World is a fantastically alien setting
  • Buildup to Lightfall – Directly sets the stage for Destiny 2‘s imminent future

And for only the cost of your time for 6-8 hours, why not embrace the magic? The campaign legitimately stands toe-to-toe with some of gaming‘s top shooters.

You might just walk away converted into a newly devoted Guardian gearing up for Lightfall!

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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