The Division

I must say, The Division is one of the most interesting concepts for a game I’ve personally seen in quite some time. Players will take on the role of a sleeper agent in New York, activated in the aftermath of the “Dollar Flu”. Once activated, your agent must help the JTF (Joint Task Force) take back New York as criminals roam the streets either rioting, looting or setting people on fire in a bid for control. I enjoyed several aspects from this concept including an enemy faction known as the Cleaners, a gathering of sanitation workers gone mad, and are now burning anyone and everyone to rid the infection.

Otherwise, the game in essence is dull. In terms of structure for a narrative, it’s a generic formula that progresses in a predictable manner that just feels empty of investment. You won’t feel the need to invest yourself as your character is just a hollow shell with no personality among so many other characters who are written with cardboard personas. The best way I can describe the feel of this plot is “paint by numbers” that lacks any engaging factors. It could have been more interesting to play as a survivor of the “Dollar Flu” and someone who would fight the criminals in order to survive. The concept of the sleeper agent just felt very odd.

Visually, the desolate and pandemic-stricken New York City looks simply amazing. There is an immense amount of gorgeous details placed in the game world and the destruction elements especially are incredible cosmetic factors to admire. New York is built with great attention to detail and sights such as alleyways filled with dead bodies inflict a strong sense of dread effectively.

The main campaign of the game is constructed by helping the JTF rebuild three key areas of their base of operations. Players will complete missions in order to strengthen the Medical, Security and Tech wings of the JTF in order to gain control of New York. There is a huge line up of missions and side objectives to choose from, so there is plenty to do. Yet main missions and side objectives become extremely repetitive after only a couple of hours of play. It presents the same structure of go in, shoot, defend and to kill the ridiculously powerful elite enemy which doesn’t seem phased even when perforated by 1000 bullets. The lack of variation in objectives and enemies will result in a highly repetitive experience and will get dull very quickly. It’s best to play with friends and at some moments the game offers a pretty engaging tactical shooter where communication and skill plays in very well.
The gun loot is executed more successfully here compared to the likes of Destiny. You can find great gear when NPCs are defeated without a long winded progression to convert it from a silly orb. It’s simple and the flow is more enjoyable.

But the other main issue with The Division is its unbalanced nature. Besides from the bullet-sponge elites, the game allows NPCs to achieve perfect aiming. I know this is a cover based shooter, but games like Gears of War allowed the NPCs to miss a shot or two. We also have vastly overpowered NPCs who, if players were on a higher level, will struggle with some times. It just annoyed me that Ubisoft didn’t want to create a larger range of enemies who would look different as the levels go up. Instead, we have level 15 baseball bat wielding thugs wearing only a hoodie that take 15 shots to the face with a combat shotgun. It’s incredibly unfair, majorly unbalanced for those who just want a single player experience, but above all it’s just lazy.

The best comparison to make is fighting a mud crab in The Elder Scrolls at level 1 and then fighting the same looking mud crab, but it’s level 20. It just makes little sense and seems lazy the developer can’t even alter the design a little. The RPG elements are simple yet strong with a great deal of additions to customise your character with. Finding loot to increase your stats is a rewarding push for you to go and explore the world further. However, there are little interesting cosmetics that would help you bring your own sense of identity in the game. Compared to Fallout 4 which has immense cosmetic factors, The Division is extremely lacklustre with very little in fascinating options for altering your appearance.

The Dark Zone is a PvP area of the map where players can obtain vital loot for the main game. You can join other players to tackle on the more deadly foes or fight each other and go rogue. This, of course, opens a free-for-all where anyone can be friend and turn into foe at a drop of a hat. It’s annoying to say the least and the Manhunt and Rogue system is confusing in action. Making the smallest mistake or even defending yourself can be unfair and result in you being marked for death, making you lose any vital loot you’ve obtained. Besides, going Rogue is not worth the risk of losing masses amounts of points and XP.

The Divison is a major let down and just another title that questions what the hell Ubisoft are doing. They have such great concepts but nowhere near the same passion as they did ten years ago to transform these ideas into amazing games. The right elements are there but, unfortunately, the end result is just a shallow and forgettable experience.

+ Interesting concept
+ Looks amazing
+ Solid mechanics

- Highly repetitive
- Unbalanced campaign
- PvP is broken in many aspects