Destiny 2 Expansions Temporarily Free A Limited-Time Access Guide

A significant promotional opportunity is currently available for players interested in the Destiny 2 universe. Bungie, the game's developer, has initiated an open access period, making previously paid expansion content available to all players at no cost for a limited time. This promotion is designed to build anticipation for the upcoming expansion, The Edge of Fate, and is accessible across all supported platforms. The offer includes several major story expansions and associated content that have historically required purchase, providing a substantial entry point for new and returning players.

The open access period began on July 8, 2025, and will conclude on July 22, 2025. During this window, a specific set of Destiny 2 expansions are available for free play. The available content includes the expansions released from 2019 through 2024, with one notable exclusion. The expansions included in this promotion are: Forsaken, Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, The Witch Queen, Lightfall, and The Final Shape. It is important to note that pre-Forsaken content, such as Curse of Osiris and Warmind, is not part of this free access period. This selection represents a significant portion of the game's narrative and gameplay content developed over the past several years.

In addition to the expansion story campaigns, Bungie has also made all three currently available Episodes free for all players. These Episodes are part of Destiny 2's seasonal content model. The free access for Episodes is scheduled to end on July 15, 2025, which is before the expansion access period concludes on July 22. Players interested in this seasonal content should note this earlier deadline. The inclusion of Episodes alongside the major expansions provides a comprehensive, time-limited experience of the game's recent narrative arcs and activities.

The promotion is available on all supported platforms, ensuring broad accessibility. This includes PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The content is accessible through the respective storefronts: PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Steam, Microsoft Store, and the Epic Games Store. There is no purchase required to access this content during the specified dates. Players simply need to log into their Destiny 2 account on their preferred platform and download the relevant content, which will be granted free access for the duration of the promotion.

A critical detail for participants is the retention of progress and rewards. Bungie has confirmed that any currencies, gear, Titles, Triumphs, and cosmetics earned during the open access period will remain with the player's account permanently. This means that progress made and items collected while playing the free expansions and Episodes are not revoked when the promotion ends. This is a significant benefit, as it allows players to build their collection and advance their character without any ongoing cost, though they would need to purchase the content to continue playing it after July 22.

The specific timeframe for each component of the offer is as follows: - All Destiny 2 Expansions (Forsaken, Shadowkeep, Beyond Light, The Witch Queen, Lightfall, The Final Shape): Free from July 8 to July 22, 2025. - All Three Currently Available Episodes: Free from July 8 to July 15, 2025.

Players should plan their gameplay accordingly, especially if they wish to complete the Episode content, which has a shorter free window. The broader expansion access provides more flexibility, ending a week after the Episodes. It is also noted that while the campaign and new gear associated with the upcoming Edge of Fate expansion will require purchase, the systematic changes to the game's sandbox and progression systems will be implemented for all players for free. This means that even after the free access period ends, all players will experience the same core gameplay updates, though access to new campaign missions and specific new gear will be gated behind the purchase of the new expansion.

This promotional period is described by Bungie as an "Open Access" event. The term indicates that the content is available to anyone with a Destiny 2 account, regardless of their previous purchase history. The primary goal of this initiative is to allow players to experience the full story arc leading into The Edge of Fate and to prepare for the new saga. For players who may have been unable to play certain expansions or who are considering returning to the game, this presents a low-risk opportunity to engage with the content and assess their interest before committing to a purchase.

For those unfamiliar with Destiny 2, it is a free-to-play game at its base level. The core activities and initial locations are available without cost. This promotion temporarily expands that free access to include the premium story content. The game is a loot-driven shooter with MMO elements, where players complete missions, strikes, and raids to earn powerful gear. The expansions typically add new story campaigns, destinations, weapons, and gameplay mechanics. By making these expansions free, Bungie is effectively removing the financial barrier to experiencing the full breadth of the game's narrative and gameplay offerings for a two-week period.

It is not feasible for a player to complete all six expansions and three Episodes within the two-week window, given the substantial amount of content each represents. However, the promotion is particularly valuable for players who have previously purchased some expansions but not others, or for those who were stuck midway through a story campaign. It also serves as an excellent opportunity for friends to play together, as anyone can access the same content without worrying about mismatched purchases. The ability to earn and keep all associated rewards further enhances the value of this temporary free access.

In summary, this is a time-sensitive, platform-wide promotion offering extensive free access to Destiny 2's premium content. The key takeaways for U.S. consumers and gamers are: 1. Content: Six major expansions (Forsaken through The Final Shape) and three Episodes are free. 2. Timeline: Expansions are free from July 8 to July 22, 2025. Episodes are free from July 8 to July 15, 2025. 3. Platforms: Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC storefronts. 4. Retention: All earned progress, gear, and cosmetics are kept permanently. 5. Purpose: A promotional event to build hype for the upcoming The Edge of Fate expansion, allowing players to experience the full narrative arc before its release.

This offer provides a substantial amount of content for no cost, but it is strictly limited in time. Players interested in exploring Destiny 2's story or returning to the game should take advantage of this window before it closes.

Sources

1. Gamespot: Anyone Can Play The Recent Destiny 2 Content For Free Right Now
2. Dexerto: All of Destiny 2’s paid DLC is currently free but only for a limited time
3. Gameranx: Destiny 2 and all its DLC is temporarily free in build up to The Edge of Fate