‘Destiny: The Dark Below’ Expansion Detailed, PlayStation Owners Get Extra Strike

The first expansion for Destiny, The Dark Below, on PlayStation and Xbox consoles was officially detailed Wednesday. Some of the details line up with content that was leaked earlier for the sci-fi shooter. However, it turns out the exclusivity deal between Activision and Sony will give PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 owners an extra Strike mission over Xbox One and Xbox 360 owners.

Destiny Expansion I: The Dark Below will be launched on December 9 for $20 if purchased individually. The other option is to dip into the Season Pass for $34.99, which covers both Expansion I and Expansion II: House of Wolves.

The Dark Below comes with three new story missions, a new co-operative strike called The Will of Crota, three new competitive multiplayer maps, the Crota’s End six-player Raid, and new weapons, armor, and gear. Additionally, the Light Level cap will be going up two and more bounty slots are being added.

PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 3 owners will also receive the exclusive Undying Mind Strike and an exotic weapon. Both will be available to Xbox One and Xbox 360 players until Autumn 2015.

Here’s the official description of all the new content.

• New weapons, armour and gear to earn, including Legendary and Exotic items.
• Light Level cap raised to 32 and five additional Bounty slots added.
• New story quests and missions – after years hiding amongst the Hive shadows, a new character, Eris, has come forth bearing an ominous warning: The Hive seek to summon a god,Crota, to destroy the Earth. Find Eris in the Tower to take on special quests that include three new missions where you will increase your Light and earn new rewards.
• New co-operative Strike, The Will of Crota, pits you and your Fireteam against Omnigul as she works to expand the Hive army at the command of her master, Crota.
• Three new competitive multiplayer arenas:
  – Pantheon – set deep within the Black Garden in an ancient Vex temple that features Vex-designed landscapes and tight corridors.
  – Skyshock – an old interplanetary defence array that offers both vehicle and infantry engagements.
  – The Cauldron – an abandoned Hive ritual site that offers close-quarter combat.
• New six-player Raid, Crota’s End, set deep within the depths of the Hellmouth.
• PlayStation platforms will also get access to an exclusive co-operative Strike, The Undying Mind and an exotic weapon, and more (timed exclusive until at least Autumn 2015).

“Destiny was created as a living universe, which has allowed us to improve the experience post launch in real-time,” Harold Ryan, President of Bungie, stated in a press release. “It also gives us insight into the things players are looking for in new content. We’ve seen from feedback that people want new activities, gear and weapons, and of course the immensely popular Raid. The community helps shape our development decisions and that’s really important to us.”

Does Expansion I: The Dark Below interest you as a Destiny player? What do you think of the exclusive Strike for PlayStation players? Sound off in the comments below.

[Images via Bunge.net]