Ubisoft The Division 2 by Tom Clancy

(After about only a week of playing…..)

First I want to say thanks to UBISOFT for so many great games since I had my PS3 since 2008. 🙂

Secondly, this game is fun, action packed, can play single or co-op online at the press of a button. Take on missions alone or call in backup from live friends. Nice variety of gear, clothes and upgrades.

Thirdly, only con is that loading screens can be a little long and some patience is required in game with finding new apparel etc. Honestly it’s nice to explore around DC and just roam so it is not bad at all.

The game is great for gamers who want face paced action round the clock with a seemingly descent storyline (nothing too heavy)

I played the first division game and it was fun. Some goes to this one. Anywhere you go in the map feels the same so it’s kinda boring but as soon as you start getting better gear it starts to feel more fun. If you’re a fan of the first one I suggest getting this one too

After 50 hours with this 3d person, open world looter shooter, I’ve attained level 18 and unlocked most zones on the map. DC is rendered in exquisite detail. Weapons have excellent animations. There’s no plot to speak of, and things get repetitive. But if you enjoy roaming, inventory management, character customization and specialization, weapons modding, cooperative PvE (and PvP if you want) then you’ll be very happy as there is no shortage of combat encounters, missions and loot. There’s all sorts of mods and armor sets that deal significant passive bonuses.

You don’t need PS Plus to log in and play solo, but you need it to access cooperative PvE (I’m not sure about PvP). There’s no predatory loot boxes (as of March 2019 but that may change as there are suspicious looking “cache” boxes that for the time being are awarded only at certain experience thresholds). Presently, if you want to spend real word dough on cosmetics like outfits skins and emotes you certainly can, though supposedly all outfits are available on the map as loot drops. But it’s a vast, vast map. I spent five bucks on the army shirt and grunge boots, and I only had about 10 cents left over, so they’re not trying to gouge you by forcing you to a higher price point.

Character Customization: You’ve got 20 options split evenly between male and female. You can choose a preset and adjust hair style, complexion, skin tone and facial features, but you cannot swap out features, meaning there’s only so much customization you can do to each preset. Your character is completely mute, and does not receive a name. NPCs just call you “Agent” (“Come here, Agent!”) and you don’t respond in cut scenes other than to nod (sometimes) and walk away. Your PS gamer tag is visible to other players in common areas as well as a number which I believe is linked to PvP progression (for most players I’ve seen so far that number is zero). If you stop moving you can pan the camera 360 degrees and view the front of your character. You select an outfit to start the game and anything beyond that you have to purchase with real world dough or find on the map. You can equip different load outs and join a clan (guild, fleet etc.). You do not need PS Plus to join a clan, but as noted above you need it for cooperative play. Clans are optional but have cool rewards. You can apply to join a specific clan after searching preferences. So far, at least in my experience, folks are chill. My first application was accepted and I even got promoted without asking.

Controls: Floaty and sluggish. There’s a cool cover to cover mechanic. Neglect to use it at your peril because your Agent cannot withstand much punishment out in the open. If you get sucked into cover too early and remain exposed, the controls to move around corners in cover are really slow. Use the combat roll to get out of cover fast as cover is sticky.

Skills: These are fun to use and essential for success in combat. Hint: If you’re playing solo use offensive skills like the chem launcher and turret, since the defensive ones like shields and regen drones won’t save you if you’re flushed from cover or otherwise in trouble, which you will be often. Consider investing SHD (shade) Tech in perks, not in buying different versions of the same skills. Solo play is tough. You gonna die a lot. But it’s also rewarding when you finally pull through and the missions do typically provide crafting upgrades (and you know in advance what crafting options will be unlocked, so you can focus your efforts). Further hint: Do the Department of Justice Mission and get the extended 5.56 mag, or equip an LMG. A larger clip is a big plus because enemies are spongy, especially the ones that charge into your face, and if you get stuck in close quarters combat the odds are not in your favor even though there is a melee attack. Don’t forget you have a pistol with infinite ammo in weapon slot 3. Once that bad boy levels up to deal at least 1k damage, use THAT in close quarters, especially with an extended mag. =) Pew pew pew!

Level Design: It varies from corridor based shooting galleries to challenging open areas where you are always exposed on two sides (three when enemies spawn from a door behind you, or they erupt suddenly from the back of an otherwise innocuous looking truck). If you die in the open world you re-spawn, and the nearest area can be quite a ways from where you keeled over, especially when you’re low level and exploring areas for the first time. If you’re in a mission you will re-spawn in the mission and most of your progress remains as well as enemy loot drops.

Overall: This would’ve been better with a plot and some branching choices, but I guess that’s not consistent with the games as service model. I wish they would’ve at least added something creative like they did with Predator in Ghost Recon. But the game is worth sixty bucks at launch, though I hear there are some issues with PvP balancing. In short – I’m entertained. Maybe they should ditch the Tom Clancy license, and open up this franchise to more creativity. Or maybe they could do a single player game. Can you imagine if a game like Fallout 3 or 4 were set in a open world with these graphics and combat mechanics?!! That’d be something else. Just take my money.

J

Updated review: I still think the game is great. It is online but not like call of duty or battlefield. It is more about team work and doing missions together. 95% of the game you could play alone if u wanted too. Also all your equipment, weapons, clothing is upgradable. The bottom line is if you like the first one you will like this one more. If you like coop type shooters, fully customizing your character, and an open world environment this game may be for you.

March 14th
This game is amazing! I played the first Division and enjoyed it but this one is already on the track to be better! I have only put 3 or so hours into the game but figured since it was released today, I would give people on the fence an idea what the game is like.
Graphics are the best I’ve seen on the PS4. Still not completely realistic but better then most games being released.
They story is great and easy to follow and sucks you in! No hesitation on getting you into the action. Also, great cut scenes!
You get a little character customization but not too much. The controls are easy to learn and explained well too. If you liked any of the Tom Clancy’s game in the past you won’t be disappointed. I will update this review as I put more time into it but as of now two thumbs up!

Very good graohics