Destiny: Rising Review – What’s New in the Franchise on Mobile

The Destiny universe has long been a hallmark of cinematic storytelling and dynamic multiplayer experiences. With the release of Destiny: Rising on mobile in 2025, Bungie has taken a bold step to adapt its iconic science-fantasy franchise for handheld devices. This review explores what’s new in this mobile entry, how it integrates with the core Destiny ecosystem, and whether it meets the expectations of seasoned Guardians and newcomers alike.

Bringing the Destiny Experience to Mobile

Destiny: Rising is not a simplified spin-off but a faithful recreation of the core experience optimised for mobile gameplay. It features an entirely new campaign set after the events of The Final Shape, expanding the Light and Darkness saga. Players can explore a fully rendered new planet, Virelia, a lush yet war-torn world hosting both Fallen remnants and a mysterious new faction known as the Veilborn.

The visual design of the game is remarkable for mobile standards. Thanks to Unreal Engine 5 Mobile integration, Bungie managed to retain the franchise’s signature lighting effects, particle physics, and fluid animations. Even on mid-range smartphones, the game maintains consistent performance at 60 frames per second, provided users enable adaptive resolution mode.

Control schemes have been thoughtfully designed for touchscreen input. Players can choose between virtual joysticks, gesture-based controls, or connect a controller for a console-like feel. Bungie’s UI overhaul makes inventory management, quest tracking, and gear upgrades intuitive, even on smaller screens.

Cross-Platform Integration and Player Progression

One of the most anticipated aspects of Destiny: Rising is its seamless cross-platform progression. Players can log in using their existing Bungie accounts and continue progress from consoles or PC. Shared inventory, power levels, and achievements ensure that mobile gaming no longer feels isolated from the main ecosystem.

The inclusion of live events further unifies the community. Seasonal updates and raids are synchronised across all devices, allowing mobile players to join world events simultaneously with console and PC users. This approach preserves the franchise’s strong sense of connected storytelling.

Microtransactions have been balanced with player experience in mind. Destiny Silver remains the universal in-game currency, and while cosmetics are purchasable, no gameplay advantages are locked behind paywalls. Bungie has confirmed that the monetisation model will stay aligned with ethical gaming standards and transparent pricing policies.

Gameplay Mechanics and Innovations

Destiny: Rising introduces several gameplay refinements tailored to shorter, more flexible play sessions. The new “Mission Snap” feature allows players to pause major quests and resume instantly without loading delays. This addition supports mobile gaming habits while maintaining narrative immersion.

Weapon crafting and subclass customisation have also evolved. The update includes mobile-specific crafting stations where Guardians can forge lightweight weapons suited for fast encounters. Subclass fragments now feature simplified upgrade trees, allowing players to adjust builds quickly during missions.

Multiplayer modes remain central to the experience. PvP arenas, Strike missions, and Gambit are all accessible in the mobile edition. Network optimisation reduces latency, and AI-assisted matchmaking ensures fair play even on cellular connections.

Technical Performance and Visual Fidelity

On the technical front, Destiny: Rising sets a new standard for mobile AAA releases. It supports dynamic rendering, HDR lighting, and Dolby Atmos audio, making the experience surprisingly close to console quality. Thermal performance has been tested extensively on both Android and iOS devices, showing stable framerates during long sessions.

The adaptive download feature allows users to install specific regions or activities, reducing storage requirements to around 10 GB. Optional texture packs can be added for ultra-high visual settings. This flexibility ensures accessibility for devices with limited storage without sacrificing quality.

Battery optimisation is another major advancement. Bungie introduced an “Eco Mode” that reduces particle effects and frame rates slightly to extend playtime. Tests show that high-end devices can sustain up to three hours of continuous play under this mode, which is impressive for a game of this scale.

Community, Support, and the Future of Mobile Destiny

Bungie has built a strong support network for the mobile community. Regular developer updates, patch notes, and community Q&A sessions are hosted within the in-game interface, allowing players to stay informed and involved. The studio’s focus on transparency has strengthened trust between developers and players.

In terms of accessibility, the mobile version introduces expanded settings for players with disabilities. Custom button mapping, high-contrast UI modes, and text-to-speech support have all been integrated, making Destiny: Rising more inclusive than any of its predecessors.

Looking ahead, Bungie has announced plans to integrate cross-save progression with upcoming titles in the Destiny universe. This long-term commitment indicates that mobile is not a side project but a permanent expansion of the franchise’s future.

Final Verdict on Destiny: Rising

Destiny: Rising successfully captures the essence of the franchise while adapting it to mobile constraints. Its technical precision, engaging narrative, and fair monetisation model set a benchmark for future AAA mobile releases. The game feels like a natural evolution rather than a scaled-down experiment.

While minor issues such as occasional UI clutter and limited controller compatibility exist, they are overshadowed by the overall quality of execution. The world of Destiny remains vast and interconnected, and this new chapter ensures that Guardians can now carry their adventures wherever they go.

For long-time fans and newcomers alike, Destiny: Rising is proof that mobile gaming can coexist with console-level storytelling and performance, without compromise or loss of depth.