The Psychology of Destiny 2 Opened the Eyes of Mental Health

Dr. Amelia Herbst dives deep into the anguish of the Season of the Haunted. There is no better link to mental health in Destiny than in Season of the Haunted. Crow, Zavala, and Caital must deal with the nightmares of their past. Crow in the form of how to approach your previous self mistakes and erroneous ways, Zavala in how to forgive yourself while having the support of a friend (in the form of the Guardian who battles Ketiks). Lastly, Caital must come to terms with the position her father figures left her in as the leader of the Cabal. She must face her problems head-on, with the Guardian as a supporting cast.

Most of us have had to deal with some, if not all, of these issues. The mistakes we made in our past, forgiving ourselves for those mistakes, and accepting the position we are left in by our elders, are issues we must face daily.

Guardians Make Their Own Fate

The words displayed at the beginning of the Atheon damage phase. These words ring true in all of the Guardian’s endeavors. As Bjarke Larsen details, the Guardians shape their destiny. But it is not entirely the Guardian themselves. We, as the players, shape our Guardian’s journey. Our class choice, the weapons we use, and the feedback we give to the Destiny Developers. The initial ten-year plan of Destiny did not go as planned, and that is due to us. We shaped Destiny to be what it is today. We utilized the light to deny the Final Shape of the Destiny franchise.

She Who Hides Truth in Deception

Dr. Kira Jones compares Savathun, the Witch Queen, to Athena from Odyssey. Savathun and Athena enter different forms to push others to their future. Savathun mentors Crow and reveals his former life, while Athena is Telemachus’ mentor. They leave their imprint on Crow and Telemachus, turning them into successes. Savathun may function for her gain, but she has at least helped the Guardians despite her lies. 

Contest Mode Raid Experience

The Contest Mode Raid Experience hits home for many. Patrick Wisor detailed his experiences with his fireteam and how important communication is for Guardians. Everyone’s role, goals for Contest Mode, and how everyone deals with stress are vital to air out before the experience. Without communication, it is a recipe for clinical disaster. It applies directly to our everyday lives and how we work. Communication is vital to anyone’s success. No one can do it alone. The more you communicate, the better you will achieve.

Immortalia

Conor Napier references the Jade Rabbit and how the Weapon Foundry, DAITO, is the most popular in the Tower, despite only making the Jade Rabbit and Two-Tailed Fox exotics. At their core, they sell antidepressants that help Guardians deal with the constant wars they must participate in throughout their thousands of years. Soldiers who fight wars in our world face terrible PTSD, where they enlist for a much shorter period than the Guardians. Even our Guardians, who are demigods, are susceptible to the horrors of war.