Summary
In many ways,Destiny 2’s Episode: Heresy has marked a significant turning point for the game since it began its first Episode, Echoes, last June. Initially, the new episodic structure garnered criticism for feeling like little more thanDestiny 2’s old seasonal model with a different name. However, Episode: Heresy has proven to bring more depth and variety than previous Episodes in its content, although the story and difficulty have still been subject to contention. Even so, these changes, in addition to the fact that Episode: Heresy precedesDestiny 2’s Edge of Fate expansion, have resulted in one of the game’s highest points since The Final Shape.
One of Episode: Heresy’s best features is the return of the Dreadnaught, a fan-favorite location from the first game. The location’s return has also seen the introduction of the new Nether activity — a roguelike experience that sees players navigating randomized objectives and modifiers aboard the Dreadnaught. These elements and more have allowed Episode: Heresy to stand out as one ofDestiny 2’s best moments in recent memory. However, there is yet one more addition that has recently been made toDestiny 2that finally checks off a big item on fans' wish lists.
Destiny 2 Finally Has a Taken Shader — Sort Of
Destiny 2’s Umbral Rumble Shader Has Been a Long Time Coming
Since its debut inDestiny’s Taken King expansion, the return of the Dreadnaught has been a big item on fans' wish lists, but perhaps even more so, a Taken shader they can use to customize their Guardian’s appearance, weapons, and vehicles. Taken enemies have a haunting, void-like aesthetic that many fans have repeatedly expressed a desire to imitate in their own appearance. Until recently, the Desolate armor set from the originalDestinywas the closest players could get to taking on the appearance of the Taken, but even that was an armor set rather than a dedicated Taken-themed shader.
The Desolate armor set arguably resembled the Taken more than Umbral Rumble, but the limitations of it being an armor set rather than a shader are difficult to ignore.
Thanks to the new Umbral Rumble shader, recently introduced in Episode: Heresy, the wish for a Taken shader has been granted — sort of. By completing achess puzzle Alternate Reality Game inDestiny 2, players can acquire the Umbral Rumble shader and adopt something resembling the signature black-and-white, smoky appearance associated with the Taken. Unfortunately, reception of the Umbral Rumble shader has been underwhelming, as it arguably looks more like someone dressing up as a Taken for Halloween rather than a shader that fully transforms Guardians into the iconic enemies.
Umbral Rumble Unfortunately Misses Key Aspects of the Taken
While the Umbral Rumble shader does capture the green, haunting aesthetics of the taken, it lacks the dynamic, starry effects that are characteristic of the enemies. More or less, this comes down to the technical limitations ofDestiny 2’s shader system, as the more complex visual elements of a true Taken appearance are more demanding than they might seem. The shifting textures and starry voids are likely difficult to replicate with standard shaders, althoughDestiny 2has upped its shader game in recent years.
Thanks to the new Umbral Rumble shader, recently introduced in Episode: Heresy, the wish for a Taken shader has been granted — sort of.
Perhaps before long, players will finally get a true Taken shader, but for now, at least they have access to the Umbral Rumble shader once they play throughDestiny 2Episode: Heresy’s storya bit. It may not have that signature starry void-like appearance that the Taken are known for, but it’s the closest thing players have to it at the moment.
