No. You have to play EVERY PART of the game....whether you want to or not. NO other loot-based game in the last 20 years has been this arrogantly---and stupidly---designed. Take The Division 2 If I want to level up to Gear Score 500....I can play ANY part of the game I want. I can grind open world activities---that game's equivalent of public events. I can grind story missions at increased difficulty. I play the weekly INvaded missions and strongholds. I can run bounties. I can play PVP. I can grind the Dark Zone. THE GAME GIVES ME THE FREEDOM TO PLAY IT ANYWAY I WANT. TO PLAY ONLY THE PARTS I ENJOY PLAYING....and rewards me with power and progress. Now the harder teh content I play...the more loot I get and the better the loot I get. But EVERYTHING is progression relevant. ...and stays progression relevant as long as you choose to play it. What Massive doesn't do is treat me like a -blam!-ing FIVE year-old...and lead me around by the hand to every part of the game and tell me "You need to play some of this"...or you don't get to progress. Like I'm a child being told that I can't have dessert unless I eat the Brussel sprouts that I HATE. ...and then PUNISH me (by withholding that progress) if I refuse to comply. THAT is the reason why people are complaining that the game feels like a chore to play...and its why people are LEAVING this game to go play other games (Like The Division 2) that are more enjoyable and treat the player with greater respect. I haven't needed a baby sitter in 40 years...and I'll be damned if I'm going to PAY Bungie in my time and money to treat me like I still need one.