2. Wrath of the Machine
Wrath of the Machine is Destiny’s newest raid, included as part of Rise of Iron. It is unique in its simplicity, foregoing any real filler in exchange for wonderfully crafted, intense encounters. There are no long puzzles or difficult mazes, no need to find hidden doors or switches (although they exist, for those who are curious), and no fluff to pad the raid unnecessarily.
The opening sets the tone, with players getting a taste of the first boss before they even formally enter the raid, dealing with hordes of adds and chucking bombs like madmen. What follows is a descent into a mechanical prison – or fortress, depending on how you look at it – that continues to try its best to kill you. Unlike other raids, however, you will eventually see the light of day once more, if only for a moment, as you confront one of the most memorable raid sequences since Destiny launched back in 2014. The Siege Machine (or Death Zamboni, as fans know it) puts on the pressure without ever becoming cheap. Navigating trenches and dealing with crowds of Fallen on this bridge of death is as intense as it gets in this game, and it’s a shining example of what makes it all so great.
At the end is Aksis, an unforgiving boss. One that tests your power, patience, and skill as he and his minions systematically eliminate everyone in your fireteam. It’s a culmination of everything Bungie has taught players throughout the game, combining elements of previous bosses such as positioning, timing, the use of raid specific items, and coordination. At the end of it all, you can’t help but feel proud as you’ve triumphed over an evil that so many people are still slamming their heads against.
