Guides / Loot Shooters

5 Games Like Destiny 2 Worth Trying in 2026

Destiny 2 has dominated the loot shooter space for years, but the genre has evolved. Whether you burned out on the seasonal grind, want something with a different endgame loop, or just need a break between raids, there are several strong alternatives in 2026 that scratch the same itch: daily rotations, build crafting, co-op endgame, and that satisfying loot chase.

Last updated:

1. The Division 2: The Closest DNA Match

Platform: PC, PlayStation, Xbox  |  Best for: Players who want Destiny's loot loop with a grounded, tactical twist

If Destiny 2 is a sci-fi power fantasy, The Division 2 is its military-realism cousin. Same DNA: daily loot rotations, build optimization, endgame missions, but set in a post-pandemic Washington D.C. with cover-based shooting and a more methodical pace.

Why it scratches the same itch

  • Daily targeted loot rotation: Every day at 08:00 UTC, the game rotates which mission areas drop which gear brands. This is the same "check today's loot before you play" habit Destiny players already have.
  • Endgame builds that matter: Tipping Scales, Whiplash, Striker, Regulus headshot builds. The build depth rivals Destiny's subclass customization, but with gear sets and brand bonuses instead of abilities.
  • Escalation mode: Division 2's Tier 10 Escalation is the closest thing to Destiny's Nightfall system: scaled difficulty, matchmaking, and targeted rewards. Solo clears are possible but demand a real build.
  • Incursions and raids: Broken Rain and Paradise Lost are Division 2's equivalent to Destiny's raids. Full squad coordination, boss mechanics, and day-one blind clears are very much a thing.
  • Dark Zone PvP: Unlike Destiny's Crucible, the Dark Zone is a PvPvE extraction zone. High risk, high reward, and completely optional if PvP isn't your thing.

What's different

Division 2 is grounded and realistic where Destiny is fantastical. No space magic, no supers, just guns, gear, and positioning. The loot chase is less about chasing a single god-roll weapon and more about building synergy across gear sets, brand bonuses, and talents.

Where to start

Check the Division 2 loot today hub for today's targeted loot snapshot, or browse the build maker tool to theorycraft before you farm. If you want to see what endgame looks like, the Tier 10 Escalation guides show real clears with real builds.

2. Diablo 4: The ARPG Pivot

Platform: PC, PlayStation, Xbox  |  Best for: Players who want the loot chase with a completely different gameplay loop

Diablo 4 isn't a shooter, but it shares Destiny's core loop: kill enemies, collect loot, optimize builds, repeat. The difference is isometric and real-time instead of first-person and tactical.

Why it works as a Destiny alternative

  • Helltide events: Hourly world events with dense enemy spawns and chest farming. Think of them as Destiny's public events but more frequent and more rewarding.
  • World bosses: Every 3.5 hours, a world boss spawns with a 15-minute kill window. Group up or miss it. The same "be there at the right time" pressure Destiny has with rotating activities.
  • Build depth: Paragon boards, aspects, uniques. Diablo 4's build system is deeper than Destiny's in raw complexity, though less visually satisfying.
  • Seasonal content: Each season adds new mechanics, uniques, and endgame systems. The seasonal model is similar to Destiny's, just with a darker tone.

What's different

No PvP (unless you count the PvP zones), no raids in the traditional sense, and the endgame is more about pushing Nightmare Dungeons and The Pit than coordinating six-player encounters. It's a solo-friendly loot chase with optional group play.

3. Warframe: The Free Alternative

Platform: PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch  |  Best for: Players who want Destiny's scope without the price tag

Warframe has been around for over a decade, but it's still one of the best free-to-play loot shooters available. The learning curve is steep, but the ceiling is enormous.

Why it competes with Destiny

  • Daily Sorties: Three mission modifiers with rotating rewards. Similar to Destiny's daily challenges but with more variety in objectives.
  • Arbitrations: High-difficulty endless missions with exclusive rewards. The closest Warframe gets to Destiny's Grandmaster Nightfalls.
  • Build variety: Warframes are essentially Destiny subclasses made flesh. Each one has unique abilities, and modding them is where the real depth lives.
  • Trading economy: Unlike Destiny, Warframe has a player-driven trading system. You can earn premium currency (Platinum) by selling mods and parts to other players.
  • Massive content library: Years of updates mean there's more content than any new player can digest in a month. It's overwhelming, but in a good way.

What's different

Warframe is faster. Much faster. If Destiny is a tactical shooter, Warframe is a movement-based power fantasy. You're bullet-jumping through tilesets at speeds that make Destiny's sprint feel slow. The aesthetic is also more sci-fi anime than military realism.

4. The First Descendant: The Newcomer

Platform: PC, PlayStation, Xbox  |  Best for: Players who want Destiny's visual polish with a fresh coat of paint

The First Descendant launched in 2024 and has been steadily improving. It's free-to-play, visually stunning, and borrows heavily from both Destiny and Warframe, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Why it's worth watching

  • Raid-style operations: Four-player co-op missions with boss mechanics that feel like Destiny's raids, just smaller in scale.
  • Character-based system: Like Warframe's Frames or Destiny's subclasses, each Descendant has unique abilities. The difference is you're unlocking and leveling individual characters, not just gear.
  • Visual fidelity: Built on Unreal Engine 5, it's one of the best-looking loot shooters available. If visual polish matters to you, this is the prettiest option on the list.
  • Regular updates: New Descendants, weapons, and content drops keep the game evolving. The developers are actively responding to community feedback.

What's different

It's newer and less polished than Destiny. The endgame is shallower, the content library is smaller, and the balance is still being tuned. But if you're tired of Destiny's formula and want something fresh, The First Descendant is the most visually impressive alternative right now.

5. Remnant 2: The Co-op Shooter With Soul

Platform: PC, PlayStation, Xbox  |  Best for: Players who want Destiny's co-op shooting with roguelike variety

Remnant 2 isn't a live-service game, but it's one of the best co-op loot shooters released in recent years. Think Destiny meets Dark Souls with procedurally generated worlds.

Why it deserves a spot

  • Procedural layouts: Each playthrough remixes world layouts, boss encounters, and loot drops. No two runs are identical, which keeps the replay value high.
  • Build crafting: Dual-class archetypes, mutators, and ring combinations create genuine build diversity. Some builds feel as broken as Destiny's strongest loadouts.
  • Co-op focused: Designed for 1-3 players from the ground up. No forced matchmaking, no randoms, just you and your squad.
  • Boss fights: Some of the best boss design in the genre. Each encounter has unique mechanics that demand adaptation, not just DPS checks.

What's different

It's not a live service. There's no daily reset, no seasonal content, no FOMO. You play it, you beat it, you move on, or you come back for the DLC. It's Destiny's gameplay loop distilled into a finite experience, which some players prefer.

Quick Comparison

GameDaily ResetsBuild DepthPvPCo-opPrice
The Division 2✅ Loot + server statusHigh✅ Dark Zone✅ Full$30 (often on sale)
Diablo 4✅ Helltide + world bossesVery High⚠️ Limited✅ Full$70 + expansions
Warframe✅ Sorties + ArbitrationsVery High✅ Conclave✅ FullFree
The First Descendant⚠️ Some rotationsMedium❌ None✅ FullFree
Remnant 2❌ NoneHigh❌ None✅ Full$40

The Verdict

If you want the closest thing to Destiny 2 in 2026, The Division 2 is the answer. Same daily loot rotation habit, same build-crafting depth, same endgame raid structure, just with a different setting and a more tactical feel. The community is active, the guides are detailed, and the game respects your time more than it used to.

If you want something completely different, Diablo 4 or Remnant 2 break the mold. If you want free, Warframe is still king. And if you want pretty graphics and a fresh start, The First Descendant is worth watching.

The loot shooter genre is in a good place right now. There's no reason to stick with one game when the grass is genuinely greener on the other side.

Related Guide Hubs

Comments