For many years, players of Destiny 2 have speculated about the arrival of Old Chicago, a location hinted at even before the original Destiny game was released. With the launch of the latest expansion, “Edge of Fate,” it seems this long-anticipated destination is finally on the horizon.
The “Edge of Fate” narrative, though primarily set on the new planet Kepler at the solar system`s edge, subtly weaves in clues through its time-bending sequences and glimpses into both the past and future. The first significant hint about Chicago emerges when Lodi, a new character introduced in the expansion, experiences a vision of the future. He describes standing alongside the Guardian—the player character—on the shores of Lake Michigan, a prominent Great Lake bordering Chicago.
Adding to the evidence is a recurring motif: a subway train. In the expansion`s opening cinematic, the familiar character Ikora Rey narrowly avoids being struck by a subway train, which seemingly materialized across time into Destiny 2`s distant, post-apocalyptic future. These trains are central to the expansion`s story, serving as a narrative touchstone, a reality-bending gateway to various areas within Kepler, and a defining visual element for “Edge of Fate.”
Upon closer inspection, the train car bears a striking resemblance to Chicago`s `El` train, its iconic elevated railway system. Further detail can be found by examining the “Edge of Fate” key art; zooming in reveals `Ravenswood,` a North Chicago neighborhood, printed as the train`s destination above its door.
Any remaining doubt is removed as the campaign nears its conclusion. In one of the final missions, Ikora Rey explicitly states, “Maybe soon we`ll go to Chicago,” making the future destination unequivocally clear.
Old Chicago holds immense significance for veteran Destiny players, having been a subject of widespread discussion and speculation for years. Bungie first teased the possibility of visiting Old Chicago even before the original Destiny`s launch. Since then, references to the city have frequently appeared in the game`s lore and story. When Bungie initially showcased images for its 2022 expansion, “The Witch Queen,” players even theorized that the swampy setting depicted in its first trailer might be the outskirts of Chicago.
A visit to Chicago would represent a significant milestone, as Destiny 2`s current Earth-based destinations are generally nondescript. The European Dead Zone (EDZ) transports players to Trostland, a fictional, ruined European town. Similarly, the Cosmodrome, an aerospace graveyard and control facility, is located somewhere in Russia but is an invented setting within the game`s universe. Neither references specific real-world locations.
Chicago, however, is a recognizable city from our reality, and it would be the first. While Earth`s old cities were destroyed centuries before Destiny 2`s timeline, it`s highly likely that the in-game rendition of Chicago would still retain its expected architectural character. Witnessing it in a ravaged, post-alien invasion state would undoubtedly be fascinating.
Furthermore, it would be the first American location to receive Destiny 2`s futuristic and decayed treatment, offering players a unique perspective on how Bungie might reinterpret the city after centuries of both progress and destruction. This also opens up intriguing possibilities for gameplay mechanics within the ruined urban landscape and narrative implications for any potential human survivors.
The “Edge of Fate” campaign also contains hints suggesting Chicago`s importance to the unfolding story of Destiny 2. Flashbacks within the expansion transport players to Earth in what appears to be the 1960s, showcasing a distant city skyline. This city is also the apparent base for the Department of External Observation (DEO), a past government agency focused on the possibility of alien contact and abduction, which plays a pivotal role in the expansion. If Chicago is indeed a future destination, it strongly suggests the DEO will also feature prominently.
While some speculation is involved, the overwhelming evidence within “Edge of Fate” strongly indicates that Chicago is being set up as Destiny 2`s next major destination. If this proves true, it will be the culmination of nearly 12 years of anticipation and speculation for the Destiny community.