Destiny Rising Review: Is This Mobile Shooter a Cosmic Hit or a Gacha Miss?
Is Destiny Rising worth your time, or just another mobile game with a shiny Destiny badge? Stick around for our Destiny Rising Review to find out!
Yo, Guardians and mobile gamers, buckle up! Destiny Rising, the new sci-fi RPG shooter from NetEase under Bungie’s license, dropped globally on August 28, 2025, and it’s packing a punch. Set in an alternate post-Dark Age timeline, this free-to-play mobile title mixes epic PvE campaigns, 6v6 PvP, and raids with a gacha twist. From flashy supers to clan housing, it’s got Destiny’s soul—but those microtransactions loom large.
Our Destiny Rising review dives into the gameplay, story, and monetization to help you decide if it’s a must-play or a hard pass. Let’s jump into the cosmos!
Why Destiny Rising Feels Like Destiny (But Not Quite)
This isn’t Destiny 3—it’s a mobile spin-off with a fresh story, new heroes like Wolf, and familiar vibes like Cabal shootouts and exotic loot. Set before the Guardians and the Tower, the game’s alternate timeline lets NetEase flex creative muscles with new mechanics like third-person toggling and auto-crossbows. But with gacha systems and a pile of currencies (Silver, Lumia Leaves, anyone?), this Destiny Rising review asks: does the core gameplay hold up?
Spoiler: It’s surprisingly solid, but the mobile grind is real.
Pro Tip: Pre-register rewards like 10 free draws and an Exotic Ornament give you a head start.
Gameplay: Shooting Aliens, Mobile Style
The campaign in Destiny Rising isn’t some half-baked mobile filler. Missions feel like mini-Destiny 2 strikes, with cinematic cutscenes, boss mechanics, and environments like Jiangshi that scream sci-fi epic. You play as Wolf, a Lightbearer with a flaming sword super, unlocking other heroes via gacha pulls. The post-Dark Age narrative introduces fresh faces and familiar ones like Ikora Rey, weaving a story of humanity’s rebuild that hooks both newbies and vets.
Combat and Modes
Shooting feels crisp for a mobile game, with first- and third-person toggles adding flexibility. Expect:
- PvE: Strikes, raids, and public events like Shifting Gates (think Gambit with extra chaos).
- PvP: 6v6 modes and a revived Sparrow Racing League that’s smoother than its console debut.
- Raids: Week-one raid events offer exclusive emblems, with Master and Grandmaster difficulties for hardcore players.
Quick Hack: Use a controller for precision—touchscreen controls work, but they’re clunky in PvP.
Social and Customization
The Haven hub is your Tower, complete with NPCs like Lord Rat’Aghast and a pettable cat (yes, really!). Clan housing in the Wolf Den lets you build shared spaces, a feature Destiny 2 fans have begged for. Customize weapons with new mod systems and mix artifacts for unique builds.
The Gacha Grind: Love It or Hate It
Here’s where things get spicy. Destiny Rising is free-to-play, but the gacha system for heroes and weapons screams mobile monetization. You’ll roll for Lightbearers like Wolf or the Aegis-shield Guardian, each with unique supers. The demo offered discounts and guaranteed Mythic-tier pulls, but the full game’s currencies (Silver, Bright Dust, Lumia Leaves) and stamina-like Pinnacle Energy caps can slow you down.
Grinding is possible, but spending real money is tempting. This Destiny Rising review warns: if microtransactions make you rage, tread lightly.
Pro Tip: The 14-day newcomer event gives 200+ free draws and 12,500 Lumia Leaves—grind these before swiping your card!
Performance and Accessibility
On high-end phones, Destiny Rising looks close to console quality with simplified textures. Lower-end devices see frame drops, but it’s playable. Cross-platform play (iOS, Android, PC emulators) and cross-progression mean you can swap devices without losing your loot. Seasonal updates every two months and weekly patches keep things fresh, with new characters dropping monthly.
Quick Hack: Run it on a PC emulator for smoother performance if your phone struggles.
Is Destiny Rising Worth Playing?
This Destiny Rising review gives it a thumbs-up for fans and mobile RPG lovers, but with caveats. The gameplay nails Destiny’s loop—shoot, loot, repeat—with raids, strikes, and a slick social hub. Clan housing and third-person mode are genius additions that Destiny 2 should steal. But the gacha mechanics, daily limits, and currency overload can feel predatory, especially post-launch. It’s a blast for casual play or on-the-go Destiny fixes, but don’t expect a full-fledged sequel.
For the best tips and trading buddies, hit up gggamer.net and join the Destiny Rising Discord. Time to become Legend, mobile style!
