Destiny 2, Bungie’s iconic online multiplayer shooter, has introduced players to a multitude of vibrant locations filled with deep lore, intense action, and fantastical environments. Among these, few places have captured the hearts and imaginations of Guardians like The Dreaming City. This ethereal and enchanting environment only becomes accessible after completing the Forsaken campaign, the game’s critically acclaimed expansion released in 2018. Upon entry, players are welcomed into a breathtaking realm of pure fantasy, where the lines between magic and science blur. It serves as the homeland of The Awoken, a mysterious blue-skinned race who have played a pivotal role in the Destiny universe.
In this article, we’ll explore what makes The Dreaming City so unique, delve into its lore, describe its striking visuals, and uncover the gameplay mechanics that make it a fan favorite.
Completing the Forsaken Campaign: A Gateway to The Dreaming City
Before Guardians can access The Dreaming City, they must complete the Forsaken campaign. This campaign is pivotal to the game’s storyline, with a narrative focused on avenging the death of Cayde-6, one of the game’s most beloved characters. Throughout the campaign, players must navigate treacherous missions and defeat some of the most fearsome enemies in the Destiny universe, including the Scorn, a dangerous new faction introduced in Forsaken.
Upon completing the campaign, Guardians unlock The Dreaming City, a place that feels like a reward in itself. This transition from the gritty and harrowing experiences of the Forsaken storyline to the awe-inspiring beauty of The Dreaming City is one of the expansion’s most impactful moments. It’s a clear signal that the journey is far from over; in fact, it’s just beginning.
The Dreaming City: A Striking Visual Masterpiece
A Fantasy Realm Unlike Any Other
Upon first entering The Dreaming City, the player is greeted by an environment that stands out even in the varied landscapes of Destiny 2. The white towers, vibrant colors, and glowing minerals create an otherworldly, yet welcoming ambiance. This fantastical aesthetic, combined with a sense of ancient mystery, makes The Dreaming City feel like it belongs in a cinematic masterpiece, akin to the ethereal worlds portrayed in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films.
The architecture of The Dreaming City, with its towering spires and crystalline structures, reflects the sophisticated and enigmatic nature of The Awoken, the inhabitants of the city. The flora is alive with bioluminescent hues, the air is thick with the arcane, and the overall vibe is one of serene beauty paired with hidden dangers.
Peter Jackson’s Influence: A Middle-earth for Guardians
One of the reasons The Dreaming City resonates so deeply with players is its connection to traditional fantasy environments. Bungie has always excelled at creating immersive worlds, but with The Dreaming City, they took their art to the next level. The white towers that pierce the sky, the waterfalls cascading into hidden depths, and the glowing minerals all contribute to a place that wouldn’t look out of place in Middle-earth. For fans of high fantasy, stepping into The Dreaming City feels like a dream come true.
The creative inspiration behind The Dreaming City’s design is a testament to Bungie’s ability to merge futuristic sci-fi elements with classical fantasy aesthetics. It’s as though Destiny 2 momentarily abandons its space-faring premise and allows players to dive headfirst into a realm where magic and mystery reign supreme.
The Awoken: Mysterious Inhabitants of The Dreaming City
Origins of The Awoken
The Dreaming City is the home of The Awoken, one of the most mysterious and enigmatic races in the Destiny universe. The Awoken are blue-skinned humanoids, shrouded in lore that links them to both the Light and the Darkness, the two opposing forces that drive the narrative of Destiny 2. Born in the collapse that followed humanity’s Golden Age, The Awoken were once human but transformed into their current state in the depths of space. Their ethereal appearance and aloof nature have made them a fan-favorite race in the game.
Their queen, Mara Sov, is one of Destiny’s most intriguing characters. After vanishing during the events of The Taken King, Mara’s presence looms large over the narrative of The Dreaming City. It is here that players unravel more of her story, her ambitions, and her relationship with The Guardians.
The Awoken and Their Role in the Destiny Universe
The Awoken play a significant role in the overarching storyline of Destiny 2. Their dual allegiance to both Light and Darkness makes them a unique faction. While Guardians fight in service of the Light, The Awoken walk a different path, one that navigates the shadows and the unknown.
In The Dreaming City, players can delve deeper into the lore of The Awoken, uncovering secrets about their past, their queen, and the mysterious Dreaming City itself. The environment reflects their ambiguous nature, with its surreal beauty masking the darker, more dangerous elements lurking beneath the surface.
Gameplay Mechanics: Secrets, Puzzles and Challenges
The Dreaming City’s Endgame Content
The Dreaming City is much more than a visual marvel; it is also home to some of the most engaging and challenging endgame content in Destiny 2. After the campaign is complete, The Dreaming City serves as a hub for a variety of activities that test the skills, wits, and endurance of players. It features intricate puzzles, hidden secrets, and some of the game’s most difficult encounters.
The Curse Cycle
One of the most fascinating aspects of The Dreaming City is its “Curse Cycle.” The city exists in a perpetual three-week loop, with each week bringing varying degrees of a curse upon the land. This cyclical event not only alters the environment, but also changes the enemies and activities available. Players are tasked with uncovering the source of the curse and breaking it, adding a sense of urgency and mystery to the area.
The final week of the cycle, when the curse is at its strongest, is especially significant. During this time, a secret mission known as “The Shattered Throne” becomes available, offering players a challenging dungeon experience that ranks among the most difficult content in the game.
Raids and Strikes
The Dreaming City also houses one of Destiny 2’s most iconic raids: The Last Wish. This raid pits players against Riven, a powerful Ahamkara (a wish-dragon), in a battle that spans the entire Dreaming City. It is a lengthy and complicated raid, filled with puzzles, teamwork challenges, and epic boss fights. Completing The Last Wish rewards players with powerful loot and deeper insight into the lore surrounding The Dreaming City and its curse.
Along with the raid, The Dreaming City is also home to numerous strikes, public events, and hidden chests scattered across its vast landscapes. These activities encourage players to return to the city repeatedly, uncovering new secrets and rewards with each visit.
The Dreaming City’s Connection to the Destiny Universe
A Tether Between Realms
The Dreaming City serves as more than just a beautiful backdrop; it is a vital link between different dimensions within the Destiny universe. Its connection to the Ascendant Realm, an alternate dimension where dark powers reign, makes it a focal point in the struggle between Light and Darkness. Players who venture into the Ascendant Realm through portals scattered across The Dreaming City encounter twisted versions of enemies, surreal landscapes, and powerful bosses.
The city’s location and its mystical properties make it a place of great importance in the ongoing battle against the forces of Darkness. As the Guardians uncover more of The Dreaming City’s secrets, they realize that their actions have far-reaching consequences in the larger Destiny narrative.
Mara Sov and the Future of The Awoken
The presence of Mara Sov in The Dreaming City adds another layer of intrigue to this mystical place. Her return, hinted at through hidden messages and lore books, has left fans speculating about her future role in the story. As a leader who walks the fine line between Light and Darkness, Mara’s decisions will undoubtedly impact the direction of the game’s narrative in future expansions.
Her relationship with the Guardians, as well as her connection to The Awoken people, suggests that The Dreaming City may continue to be a key location in the Destiny universe for years to come.
Conclusion: The Dreaming City’s Legacy
The Dreaming City is a masterpiece of game design, combining breathtaking visuals, intricate lore, and challenging gameplay. As one of the most iconic locations in Destiny 2, it represents the pinnacle of Bungie’s world-building prowess. The city’s connection to The Awoken, its surreal aesthetic, and its dynamic gameplay make it a place that players return to again and again, eager to uncover new secrets and face new challenges.
Whether exploring its gleaming white towers, diving into the curse cycle, or battling through The Last Wish raid, The Dreaming City offers something for every player. Its combination of high fantasy elements, deep lore, and exciting gameplay ensures that it will remain a beloved part of the Destiny 2 universe for years to come.
