We’ve known Destiny: Rising was coming for a while — it was officially announced back on October 14, 2024 — and now the wait is almost over. NetEase Games has confirmed that the mobile sci-fi FPS will officially launch on August 28, 2025, for iOS and Android. Pre-registration is live right now on the App Store and Google Play, and a fresh gameplay trailer just dropped to give fans a closer look at what’s coming.
While the Destiny name is mostly known for its PC and console releases, Destiny: Rising looks like it’s taking that same looter-shooter DNA and adapting it for mobile without cutting corners. Expect all the core content you’d want — story missions, strikes, PvP, six-player PvE challenges, open-world objectives — and yes, loot. Lots of loot.
This new spin-off takes place in an alternate timeline, set before the events of both Destiny and Destiny 2, creating a fresh entry point for newcomers while giving longtime fans a new angle on the universe they already know. It’s a clean slate with plenty of potential.
In Destiny: Rising, you take control of The Wolf, a customizable Lightbearer equipped with a powerful Relic that grants unique Super abilities. Players can also take control of iconic characters like Ikora Rey and Iron Lord Jolder, each bringing their own skillsets into battle.
The game introduces a Mythic-tier rarity for gear, a brand-new weapon class, and a shared weapon system that lets characters mix and match across builds. It’s every bit the loot playground you’d expect from Destiny, just scaled for mobile.
That said, this being a mobile-only title may leave some longtime fans feeling a little frustrated — and honestly, I get it. Not everyone wants to dive into a touchscreen version of a franchise they’re used to playing on a high-end console or gaming rig. But considering the market NetEase is targeting, and the fact that this isn’t meant to replace the core Destiny games, I think there’s plenty of room for both sides of the fence to be happy. This could serve the mobile-first crowd without stepping on the main series’ toes.
As for me? I haven’t touched a Destiny title in quite a while. I gave up on Destiny 2 a few years back after burning out hard. But Destiny: Rising, being outside the main continuity and offering a clean slate, actually has me curious. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll jump back in and see what this new timeline has to offer.
And if you’re the type who likes free stuff (who isn’t?), NetEase is running a pre-registration campaign that’s already surpassed 5 million sign-ups. That means all players will get 10 free draws on launch day, with more milestone rewards on the way.
Destiny: Rising isn’t exactly a surprise at this point, but with the release date, trailer, and pre-reg campaign now live, it’s clear that the launch is locked and loaded. And with the game diving into an alternate timeline before the core series even begins, this could be a smart way to grow the universe in new directions.