My Dream of a Destiny 2 Dating Sim: Love, Lore, and Lord Shaxx

A Destiny 2 dating sim, inspired by Bungie's internal game jams, would perfectly expand the game's celebrated character relationships and intimate storytelling.

It all started with a casual comment, a throwaway line that burrowed deep into my brain and refused to leave. Back in 2024, during a roundtable interview, Destiny 2's lead narrative designer, Jonathan To, mentioned something incredible. When a Destiny dating sim was jokingly brought up, he revealed that such a thing "has been made in game dev jams within Bungie." That was two years ago, and in 2026, it's still the only thing I can think about. Bungie, my friend, you have no idea how desperately I need to officially smooch Lord Shaxx. I know To wasn't announcing a real project—game jams are for fun, for team building, for prototyping wild ideas that may never see the light of day. But I'm here to say, with all my heart as a Guardian, that it should be real.

For many of us, the soul of Destiny isn't just in the god-rolls or the day-one raid races; it's in the people. The characters and their intricate, evolving relationships are the emotional bedrock of this universe. We've been privileged spectators to some of gaming's most sincere portrayals of love and connection. I still get chills remembering Osiris and Saint-14's long-awaited reunion. I felt Zavala's profound grief and eventual peace when confronting the memory of his wife. I watched, with a bittersweet ache, as Crow and Amanda Holiday's bond deepened, a story cut tragically short. These aren't just plot points; they are the narrative high points that make this world feel alive. Few games handle these themes with Destiny's unique blend of cosmic scale and intimate candor. A dating sim wouldn't be a betrayal of that tone—it would be the ultimate expansion of it, giving Bungie's brilliant writers a new canvas to explore the hidden corners of our favorite characters' hearts.

Think of the possibilities! A dating sim could finally bridge the gap between player and story. For years, we've witnessed Destiny's drama unfold like a grand play staged before us. We are the silent, powerful audience, but we are rarely invited onto the stage to influence the script. A dating sim would change everything. It would be a storytelling format built on player choice, where our decisions shape the emotional arc. Would we help Crow navigate his grief and cautiously open his heart to someone new? Could we support Ikora Rey in her quest to define an identity beyond her role as the Vanguard's stalwart leader? The potential for meaningful, player-driven narrative is immense.

And the candidates? The Tower and beyond are full of them. Let's consider some obvious (and not-so-obvious) romance routes:

• The Noble Titan: Lord Shaxx. The man who literally vowed to marry any Guardian who won The Vow bow during Crimson Days. Need I say more? A route exploring the passionate, theatrical, yet surprisingly tender warlord would be legendary.

• The Cunning Queen: Mara Sov. A path fraught with political intrigue, ancient secrets, and the challenge of earning the trust of the most calculating mind in the system.

• The Reformed Rogue: Crow. A story of healing, self-forgiveness, and learning to love again after profound loss. This route would be emotionally resonant and deeply rewarding.

• The Stoic Strategist: Commander Zavala. A slow-burn narrative about breaking through a lifetime of duty and sacrifice to find personal happiness again.

• The Brilliant Scholar: Ikora Rey. Connecting on an intellectual and philosophical level, exploring the mysteries of the universe together, and discovering a softer side behind the composed facade.

Other games have dabbled in dating sim spin-offs, often as pure comedy. Dead by Daylight and Valorant had their fun. But Destiny has the unique opportunity to blend earnestness with playfulness. It could be both hilariously awkward and genuinely moving. The foundation is already there. Remember The Vow? That Crimson Days bow from 2020? Its lore tab is permanently etched in my memory. Lord Shaxx himself offers his hand in marriage to any Guardian who wins it. So, if you played then, congratulations—you are canonically married to the Crucible handler. It was a silly, wonderful moment nestled within a season about defending the timeline from the Vex. That's Bungie's magic: finding the perfect equilibrium between epic drama and heartfelt comedy.

Potential Storyline	Core Theme	Possible Challenges
Crow's New Dawn	Healing & New Beginnings	Guilt from past lives, fear of loss
Shaxx's Melody	Passion & Poetry	His single-minded focus on the Crucible
Ana Bray's Project	Legacy & Connection	The weight of her family's history, Clovis Bray
A New Guardian's Tale	Discovery & First Love	Learning the world, proving oneself

Of course, it doesn't have to be a sprawling epic. It could be a smaller, focused experience. Maybe it's about a brand-new Guardian arriving at the Tower, wide-eyed and trying to make connections amidst the chaos. Or perhaps it's a series of charming, self-contained vignettes during the Dawning or Crimson Days. The format is flexible! The core appeal is interaction. Imagine dialogue trees where we choose our responses, activities that build affinity (like sparring in the Crucible, studying in the archives, or exploring the wilds of Europa), and multiple endings based on our choices. The gameplay loop could be so engaging:

1. Choose your focus for the day (Tower socializing, patrols with a partner, research).

2. Engage in character-specific activities to learn about them and raise your relationship level.

3. Make key dialogue choices during story events that alter the narrative path.

4. Unlock unique lore entries, shaders, emblems, or even a special emblem for achieving a "true ending" with a character.

In 2026, as Destiny 2 continues to evolve, the community's love for its characters has only grown deeper. The recent ability to finally change our Guardian's appearance was a huge, long-requested step toward personalization. A dating sim would be the next logical leap—a way to personalize our emotional journey within the universe. It could be a standalone release, a surprise mode within the game, or a limited-time event. However it manifests, the desire is real. So, Bungie, from one Guardian to another: consider this my formal proposal. Let's make this dream a reality. My wedding ring (from The Vow) is ready. 😉