Destiny 2's long-awaited expansion The Edge of Fate is finally here, ushering in a brand-new saga for the game after the epic conclusion of the Light and Darkness Saga with the launch of The Final Shape. So far, things with The Edge of Fate have been weird, for lack of a better term, as this particular expansion doesn't just enhance what's already there for Destiny 2, but instead does its best to reimagine the game, to the point that it has left many veteran players feeling a bit lost at times. To be fair, with a new overarching narrative for Destiny 2, it arguably should fundamentally redefine itself, but some of those changes have been a bit jarring, to say the least.
One of the biggest changes The Edge of Fate made to Destiny 2 actually has nothing to do with gameplay systems or even the narrative. Specifically, Ikora Rey's voice has changed significantly, to the point that she sounds more like Savathun than herself. That's because Ikora's original voice actress, Gina Torres, was replaced by Debra Wilson, who also plays Savathun. This has understandably caused many veteran players to be jerked out of immersion in the story as they can't get around the sound of the beloved character's new voice. It may seem like a small and dismissable change, and from a certain perspective, it could be. However, its timing almost makes it feel symbolic of something going on beneath the surface of Destiny 2.
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Ikora's Voice Change in Destiny 2: Edge of Fate Feels Like a Sign
Ikora's Voice Swap Feels Like Bad Timing
On paper, a voice swap for Ikora might sound like an okay workaround for the time being, especially with Destiny 2 starting a new saga. Not to mention the fact that Bungie had rightly informed the community ahead of time that The Edge of Fate would potentially have different voice talents, as some were unavailable at the time of recording, and apparently, this list of talents included Gina Torres. However, it's likely no one expected the change to be so jarring, and to one of its most iconic characters no less. Be that as it may, with the start of a new era for Destiny 2, changing a character's voice shouldn't be a big deal, in theory.
The problem, ironically, is the timing of Ikora's voice change. The Edge of Fate has already had the community on the edge of uncertainty about Destiny 2's future, as evidenced by the expansion's low player count at the time of launch. The last thing players needed as The Edge of Fate essentially tests the waters for the sea ahead was for one of the game's most recognizable voices to receive a sudden change. They're already trying to navigate things like the new Portal, changes to Destiny 2's armor system, and much more, so hearing a new voice for Ikora on top of all of that hurts The Edge of Fate's chances at being more welcoming.
Even a Temporary Voice Can Echo a Much Deeper Identity Problem
Of course, Bungie has confirmed it is re-recording voice lines for Ikora and others in The Edge of Fate, which is refreshing news. However, once those adjustments are implemented, it might be too little too late. It's difficult to deny how much impact such a deceptively small change can have on a game like Destiny 2, as while it doesn't necessarily affect much but players' perception of it, that's actually the problem. If nothing else, Ikora's voice swap is the smoke rising from the first of a much deeper identity problem going on in Destiny 2.
The problem, ironically, is the timing of Ikora's voice change.
An innocent comment like "this doesn't sound quite right," then, actually isn't rooted in something so innocent at all, as it's ultimately more of a reflection of the broader concerns about where Destiny 2 is now and where it is going. It's the kind of disruption that breaks immersion not just in the moment, but in the world the game has spent years trying to build. When even the voices of Destiny 2's most iconic characters start to feel unfamiliar, it raises questions about what else might be slipping away. Not to say that The Edge of Fate can't eventually breathe new life into the MMO, but it just seems like it is more disconnected than ever from the game it once was.
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