How to play Destiny 2 (The Final Shape) on Mac

Game Overview

Destiny 2 is a first-person shooter (FPS) with massively multiplayer online (MMO) elements developed by Bungie. Released in 2017, the game is set in a mythic science fiction world where players, known as Guardians, wield powerful abilities derived from a mysterious force called the Light. Guardians are tasked with protecting Earth’s last safe city from various alien races and the encroaching Darkness. Players can choose from three classes: Titan, Hunter, and Warlock, each with unique abilities and playstyles. Each class has multiple subclasses that offer different abilities and supers, such as Solar, Arc, Void, and Stasis. The game features a variety of activities, including story missions, strikes, raids, player-versus-player (PvP) modes, and more. Destiny 2 is known for its extensive loot system, where players collect weapons, armor, and other gear to enhance their characters.

The Final Shape is the latest expansion for Destiny 2, marking the conclusion of the Light and Darkness saga. It introduces several new features and content. Among the new additions are new supers and aspects for each class. Titans get the Twilight Arsenal, which throws three Void axes that pull enemies in and explode, dealing heavy damage. Hunters receive Storm’s Edge, an Arc dagger that teleports the Hunter forward, performing a deadly whirlwind strike. Warlocks gain Song of Flame, which makes them radiant, overcharges their melee ability, and turns their grenade into a sentient Spirit of Flame. Additionally, a new subclass called Prismatic allows Guardians to combine abilities from multiple elements (Arc, Solar, Void, Stasis, and Strand) and enter a Transcendence state for additional buffs and a unique grenade ability.

The expansion also introduces new exotic weapons and armor. Notable exotic weapons include the Still Hunt Sniper Rifle, Khovostov Auto Rifle, and Microcosm Heavy Kinetic Trace Rifle. Each class receives new exotic armor pieces, such as the Mataiodoxia chest piece for Warlocks and the Wishful Ignorance gauntlets for Titans. A new enemy faction called The Dread is introduced, featuring various new enemy types like Grim, Husks, Omens, and Harbingers, each with unique abilities and combat styles. The Pale Heart is a new destination inside the Traveler, featuring familiar locations and artifacts from Destiny’s history, now twisted by the presence of the Witness. The expansion also introduces a new episodic content structure, replacing the seasonal model. Episodes will continue the story with new missions, activities, and rewards.

Destiny 2 is not natively supported on macOS. However, there are a few ways to play it on a Mac. One option is to use popular cloud gaming service Boosteroid or Nvidia’s game-streaming service, GeForce Now, which allows you to play Destiny 2 on a Mac through a browser or the GeForce Now app. This method requires a stable internet connection and a compatible controller. Another option is to install Windows on your Mac using Boot Camp and then run Destiny 2 as you would on a Windows PC. Using Crossover with Game Porting Toolkit 2 is also an option, that allow to run the game on powerful M Pro chips.

1. Play Destiny 2 with CrossOver via Steam

Game runs better with Game Porting Toolkit 2.0. Game Porting Toolkit (GPTK) 2.0 introduces several significant enhancements aimed at improving the gaming experience on Apple devices. Key updates include support for ray tracing, the AVX2 instruction set, and improved graphics and compute compatibility, which collectively enhance performance and visual fidelity. The toolkit also offers an expanded set of game technologies and tools for debugging and profiling games using Metal tools like Metal HUD, Metal GPU capture, and Metal System Trace. These improvements make it easier to port and optimize Windows games for Mac.

CrossOver is a software tool that enables users to run Windows applications on macOS and Linux without needing a Windows operating system license. It is based on the popular open-source Wine project and works by translating Windows API calls into POSIX calls on-the-fly, eliminating the performance and resource penalties of virtual machines. With CrossOver, users can seamlessly integrate Windows applications into their native environment, running them as if they were native applications on their Mac or Linux systems. This software is especially useful for those who need access to certain Windows-only programs for business, education, or gaming purposes, providing a streamlined and efficient solution without the complexity of dual-booting or maintaining a separate Windows installation. Here’s how to play Destiny 2 using CrossOver through Steam:

1. Visit the CrossOver website, purchase the software, and download it. Install CrossOver on your Mac by dragging it into the Applications folder.
2. Open CrossOver, click Install a Windows Application, and select Steam from the list. Follow the prompts to install.
3. On the right side, in the Advanced Settings, switch D3DMetal and MSync toggles.
4. Launch Steam within CrossOver, log into your Steam account, find Destiny 2 in the Steam store, and install it.
5. Navigate to the Library in Steam, find Destiny 2, and click Play to start your simulation.

Install a Windows Application -> Steam

Install Steam on Mac via Crossover

2. Play Destiny 2 on cloud gaming services (Boosteroid and GeForce Now)

Note: Cloud gaming probably is the best way to play Destiny 2 on Mac (M1/M2/M3) currently as game is poorly optimized even for high-end PCs. Running it via compatibility layers may lead to low performance and crashes.

Cloud gaming platforms stream games from remote servers, offering high performance without demanding hardware. Cloud gaming services are expanding the accessibility of gaming by eliminating many of the traditional barriers, such as the need for constant hardware upgrades and the initial cost of games. As internet speeds increase and technology advances, cloud gaming continues to grow as a popular alternative to traditional console and PC gaming.

Boosteroid

Boosteroid is a cloud gaming platform that allows users to play video games directly from the cloud on various devices, including PCs, smartphones, and smart TVs. This service provides access to a wide range of games without the need for powerful hardware. With Boosteroid, gamers can stream their favorite games over the internet, bypassing the need for downloading or updating games locally. The platform operates on a subscription model, offering different tiers to accommodate various user needs and preferences. Boosteroid is known for its ease of use, enabling seamless gaming experiences across different operating systems and devices, promoting greater accessibility and convenience for gamers worldwide.

1. Visit Boosteroid, sign up, and subscribe.
2. Search for the Destiny 2 game and play directly in your web browser.

Note: Boosteroid streams games seamlessly, making it accessible on most internet-connected devices.

GeForce Now

GeForce Now is a cloud gaming service developed by NVIDIA that allows users to stream video games to their devices, leveraging NVIDIA’s powerful cloud-based GPU servers. This service enables gamers to play their own games from popular digital libraries such as Steam, Epic Games Store, and Uplay on virtually any device, including PCs, Macs, Shield TVs, and mobile devices. GeForce Now differentiates itself by not requiring users to purchase games from a specific library, instead allowing them to play games they already own, provided those games are supported on the service. It offers various membership tiers, including a free option and a premium subscription that provides enhanced graphics with RTX technology, reduced waiting times, and extended session lengths.

1. Register for a GeForce Now account on their website. Choose between free or premium plans.
2. Install the GeForce Now app on your chosen device (PC, Mac, or mobile).
3. Link your Blizzard account in the GeForce Now app to access Destiny 2.
4. Use the search feature in the app to locate Destiny 2.
5. Click Play on Destiny 2 within the app to begin streaming the game.

Install Windows 11 on Mac with Parallels (Step 1)

Install Windows 11 on Mac with Parallels (Step 2)

Install Windows 11 on Mac with Parallels (Step 3)

Install Windows 11 on Mac with Parallels (Step 4)

3. Use Boot Camp (for Intel-based Macs only)

Note: Boot Camp is not supported on Macs with M1/M2/M3 chips.

Boot Camp is a utility software included with macOS that allows users to install and run Windows on Macintosh computers in a dual-boot configuration. By partitioning the computer’s hard drive, Boot Camp enables a Mac to boot either into macOS or Windows, providing full system performance for Windows as it runs natively on the hardware. This solution is ideal for Mac users who need to run Windows applications that do not have macOS versions or who require the performance benefits of running certain programs directly on the hardware without virtualization overhead. Boot Camp simplifies the installation process, guiding users through the setup with step-by-step instructions and making it straightforward to switch between operating systems.

1. Get the Windows 10 ISO file (Windows 11 ISO file) from the Microsoft website. Choose the version that matches your license.
2. Find Boot Camp in the Utilities folder within your Applications. Open it to start the setup.
3. Use Boot Camp Assistant to allocate space on your hard drive for Windows. Follow the on-screen instructions to adjust the partition size.
4. Follow the prompts in Boot Camp Assistant to begin the Windows installation. Your Mac will reboot into the Windows setup.
5. During the Windows installation, choose the BOOTCAMP partition and format it.
6. Complete the installation by following the Windows setup instructions.
7. To switch between macOS and Windows, restart your Mac and hold the Option key to select the operating system you want to use.
8. Once Windows is installed, set up Destiny 2 like on any PC.