Destiny 2's Crota's End breaks the fourth wall in the best and saddest way possible

One of the most intriguing aspects of Destiny 2 for science fiction fans can be the way the game tells stories and how these plotlines branch, evolve, and overlap in its soon-to-conclude 10-year saga—a trait that future sagas are likely to continue. The episodes of Destiny 2 in the era of the "Final Shape" may alter the way Bungie tells its stories, but it is unlikely that the essence of the storytelling in the franchise will change as a result. Now, many years after the original game's release, Destiny 2 brings back Crota's End as a raid for the Season of the Witch, indirectly breaking the fourth wall through a sad and bitter subplot.

With the expansions of Destiny 2, multiple side stories often emerge, told through items, dialogues, cutscenes, or even just lore tabs within the game. The Season of the Deep Veil serves as a great example, featuring an otherwise forgettable mission that delivers some of the most interesting and valuable lore information in the game's history, thanks to Chioma Esi's audio logs. Recently, a new Hive weapon called Ex Diris was introduced with the Season of the Witch, which players can bring to Banshee-44 in the Tower if they meet the requirements for its catalyst. At that moment, he will share a fourth wall-breaking scene with the Guardians.

How Destiny 2's Ex Diris and Crota's End Give Players a Sad Moment With Banshee-44

Although not playing a major role in the main storyline, Banshee-44 has always been an intriguing character due to his seemingly somber mood and forgetfulness, which either he himself or other characters in the game discuss. Interestingly, the quest "The Lament" in Destiny 2, introduced with the "Beyond Light" expansion, revealed that Banshee-44 was actually Clovis Bray in his human life, the infamous scientist who, with his heinous experiments and obsession with an artifact of darkness he referred to as "Clarity Control," brought about humanity's downfall.

As revealed in the quest, Banshee-44 was formerly known as Clovis-1 (and remained so until Clovis-43), and he possessed an upgraded Exo body with the consciousness and memories of Clovis Bray. However, he despised his human identity and chose to accompany Elsie Bray on her mission to make amends for Clovis' wrongdoings. In doing so, he repeatedly wiped his memories during resets, which is known to be a strain on Exo Ghosts and potentially affects them. He fought against the Vex on Europa, and once he was done, he decided to have Elsie erase his identity and become the Gunsmith - Banshee-44 - in Destiny 2.

In search of atonement for sins that technically weren't his own, he also forgot about the greatest achievements of humanity and the friends he had lost along the way. When players complete the exotic quest for the Exotic Deiris Catalyst in Destiny 2, Banshee-44's text dialogue states that the weapon reminded him of names from the past. He then asks the Guardians to send his regards to Crota if they use the weapon against him. This is a moment where the fourth wall is broken, as "Crota's End" has just been released, and this is Bungie's way of referencing and engaging with the players.

However, originally in Destiny, Crota fell during what became known as the Great Disaster, where multiple fireteams set out to the Moon to stop the Hive god but met their ultimate demise. This is also the origin story of Eris Morn in the Season of the Witch in Destiny 2, which makes Banshee-44's request all the more tragic. Not only does Banshee-44 seemingly forget Eriana and other Guardians who fell victim to Crota, but he might not even recognize Eris in her current Hive form if he were to see her. As entertaining as Bungie's fourth wall-breaking statement may be, referencing players' collecting habits, it is also a grim reminder that some characters will never recover.

Destiny 2 is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.