This is an expansion for Destiny, released on May 19, 2015. It builds upon the core Destiny experience by introducing new narrative content, cooperative activities, and competitive multiplayer elements. To access this content, players require the base Destiny game. The expansion integrates seamlessly with the existing world, offering a new chapter for players to explore and engage with.

New Story and Setting

House of Wolves expands the Destiny universe by opening up the Reef, a previously inaccessible area, and introducing players to the Awoken. The narrative focuses on a conflict with the Fallen, who are escalating their aggression. This expansion includes new story missions that further develop this ongoing conflict, providing players with fresh objectives and lore to uncover within the Destiny saga.

The Prison of Elders: A New Cooperative Arena

A significant addition is the Prison of Elders, an entirely new cooperative arena activity. This mode challenges fireteams to face successive waves of enemies and powerful bosses in a survival-based format. Success within the Prison of Elders is rewarded with unique loot, encouraging coordinated team play and strategic engagement.

Expanding the Crucible

For players who prefer competitive player-versus-player combat, House of Wolves introduces three new maps to the Crucible. It also adds a new competitive elimination mode, offering a distinct tactical experience within the existing PvP framework.

Rewards and Progression Systems

Beyond new missions and activities, the expansion provides a substantial amount of new weapons, armor, and gear for players to acquire. These new items are designed to enhance player progression and offer expanded options for customizing and strengthening their Guardian. The acquisition of this new equipment is directly linked to the new story missions, cooperative Strike, and the Prison of Elders activity, establishing clear goals for players to pursue.

What new gameplay mechanics are introduced?

While the fundamental shooter and RPG mechanics of Destiny remain consistent, House of Wolves primarily enhances the player experience through new activities and a structured progression system tied to its unique content. The introduction of the Prison of Elders as a distinct arena activity presents a fresh gameplay loop centered on survival and escalating challenges, differentiating it from the Strikes and Raids present in the base game.

Platform Availability

This expansion was released on May 19, 2015, and is available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, and Xbox One.

Content Scope

As an expansion, House of Wolves' content is self-contained within this release and does not include further DLCs, expansions, remakes, or remasters.