The evolution of patrol zones between Destiny 1 and Destiny 2 marks a significant shift in gameplay experience, exploration, and overall complexity within the Destiny universe. Below is a detailed analysis of how patrol areas vary in both games:

Destiny 1 Patrol Zones and Planets

In Destiny 1, patrol zones were primarily focused on providing accessible areas for exploration, resource gathering, and engaging in light combat encounters. The available patrol locations included:

– Cosmodrome (Earth): The starting point for many Guardians, featuring a vast, post-apocalyptic environment rich in resources and early missions.
– Moon: A haunting lunar landscape filled with Hive enemies and relics of the past.
– Venus: Showcased beautiful, overgrown environments dominated by the Vex, providing a mystique and lore.
– Mars: A red, desolate land where Guardians faced off against Hive and Cabal.
– Dreadnaught: Unique to The Taken King expansion, this combat-heavy zone featured intricate design and lore-centered missions.

These environments allowed for open-world gameplay with minimal death penalties, encouraging exploration without severe repercussions.

Destiny 2 Patrol Zones and Planets

With the release of Destiny 2, the patrol zones expanded significantly, both in terms of size and complexity. Here are the notable zones:

| Patrol Zone | Description | Enemy Types | Notes |
|————————–|—————————————-|——————————————|————————————————-|
| Earth – EDZ (European Dead Zone) | A diverse terrain open zone serving as one of the main starting areas. | Fallen, Hive, Cabal | Offers a rich environment for exploration and missions. |
| The Moon | Return from Destiny 1, featuring more intricate Lost Sectors and Adventures. | Hive | Enhanced with new patrol quests and exploration content. |
| Venus | Initially included but later vaulted. | Vex | Vaulted as of Beyond Light. |
| Mars | Initially available and later removed. | Hive, Cabal | Also vaulted as of Beyond Light. |
| Nessus | Vast zone with a vibrant ecosystem. | Vex, Scorn | Notable for its expansive and visually appealing environment. |
| Dreaming City | A unique zone with complex Hive and Taken themes. | Hive, Scorn, Taken | Features rotating weekly challenges, making it intricate and engaging. |
| Europa | Introduced in Beyond Light, showcasing a frozen landscape. | Varied enemies | Contains distinct snowy terrain and tightened narrative ties. |
| Savathûn’s Throne World | The latest addition with a Hive-centric theme. | Hive | Provides newer content from the Witch Queen expansion. |
| Neomuna | Futuristic cyberpunk setting. | Vex and others | Represents a significant aesthetic shift in the Destiny universe. |
| The Pale Heart | Deep-space vessel offering a unique premise. | Various | Presents adventurous exploration dynamics. |
| Tangled Shore | Pirate-themed zone within the Reef. | Fallen, Scorn, Cabal, Hive | Not a standalone planet but a rich patrol map. |

Notably, several patrol zones from Destiny 2, such as Titan, Io, Mercury, and Mars, were vaulted in the Beyond Light expansion, indicating a shift towards a more curated exploration experience.

Summary of Changes

– Patrol Zone Variety: Destiny 1 featured a limited selection of patrol zones mainly rooted in Earth and its moon (and Venus and Mars), while Destiny 2 offered an expansive list, integrating new planets and diverse gameplay mechanics.
– Complexity and Design: Destiny 2 emphasized larger, more complex environments with intricate lore, activities, and secrets, particularly evident in zones like Dreaming City with its time-based challenges.
– Evolving Gameplay Dynamics: The newer patrol areas in Destiny 2 provide varied encounters, diverse enemy types, and a structure that encourages players to engage more deeply with world events, strikes, and seasonal content.

Overall, the transition from Destiny 1 to Destiny 2 has enriched the exploration aspect of the game, encouraging players to delve into more diverse narratives and gameplay mechanics across its evolving worlds.