Photo Credit: Ubisoft
Photo Credit: Ubisoft

It's been three years since Tom Clancy's The Division dropped, opening up a whole new world for fans of the loot shooter genre. Whilst the original game was an incredible offering of fun, there was a little lack of diversity when it came to the missions available. Still, the unique approach to combat was enough to keep millions interested; so much so that a sequel was warranted with an addictive 30 hour+ campaign.

Dropping last Friday (March 15, 2019), The Division 2 is set seven months after the events of the original, taking place in a 1:1 representation of the real Washington D.C., and offering up-close and personal looks at the city's famous landmarks (including your new Base of Operations; the White House!). With slick graphics and plenty of chaotic, action-packed sequences, it's heartening to see the game perform so well, even if you're squadded up with three friends online.

It's with this multiplayer co-op that players will get the most out of their experience. There's nothing more fruitful than rallying the troops to attack an unsuspecting pack of anarchists, combining the squad's individual skills and perks to immediately gain the upper hand in battle.

One of the biggest changes developers have made when it comes to combat is how enemies rank in difficulty. Bad guys used to simply turn into tougher bullet sponges in the original game. This time round, they wear armour plating which, if focused correctly by a squad, can be removed with bullets, leaving the particular area underneath it completely exposed for a quick takedown.

Groups of enemies will be around pretty much every corner as you make your way from settlements to missions, and the like. They provide the perfect opportunity for working on your tactical approach to big fights. Sometimes though, it's just as much fun to throw in a grenade to a group working in close quarters, and watching them all perish in one big kaboom.

Photo Credit: Ubisoft
Photo Credit: Ubisoft

Instead of simply gathering tech for your settlements, as was the case in the first game to achieve upgrades, The Division 2 tasks players with a series of different projects. This could be donating supplies, interrupting public executions and more. Rewards range from blueprints for new weapons to special missions, and more.

Control Points are a huge part of the game, and will trigger off specific world events based off of who's at the head of each. They all have their own supply room which should be searched immediately upon conquering the area; there's level-specific gear and supplies in there that will greatly advance your chances of making quick progress through the campaign.

Leaning heavily on co-operative play, developers have gone a step further than they did originally by introducing Clans. It allows you to stay in contact easily with other players you may have randomly grouped with online, that you enjoyed playing alongside. Whilst this isn't essential in the campaign, those who are looking to enjoy the Endgame content should have some loyal friends by their side.

Endgame was implemented in this game because of the lack of replayability in the first Division release. Each player will be offered to choose one of three specialisations upon completion of the campaign and reaching level 30. These can be switched between freely at the Quartermaster, so there's no need to weigh your decision too heavily from the start. What would be smart to do however, is to combine each of the three specialisations across your squad. Doing so allows for effective takedowns of even the strongest bosses.

Levelled gear is completely recalibrated in the Endgame, with gear scores coming into play. Individual gear scores will effect exactly what you can take on, so it's wise to keep a close eye on how they improve.

Photo Credit: Ubisoft
Photo Credit: Ubisoft

Dark zones have also been overhauled. Weapons here now all carry the same stats rather than having individual levels, so that those new to the zones can quickly jump into the action and take on the veterans who may have gotten there weeks or even months before them. Safe zones are also implemented so that preparations can be made before throwing yourself into the zone's chaos, whilst each also kicks off with a PvE mission to introduce you to the area.

The original dark zones aren't forgotten, however. There are events for those who prefer the more hardcore side of gaming, where all restraints are removed and it's a crazy free-for-all.

Ubisoft have done an incredible job of offering something for everybody here. If you're a solo gamer looking for a good story, you've got 30-40 hours of gameplay to get through. If multiplayer is more your thing, you have that, plus an incredible Endgame with countless hours to get through. Those who love their PvP have the Dark zones to contend with; and all this without even mentioning the new 'episodes' we'll be given - for FREE! - throughout the game's first year.

A round of applause for this one. It's been a major success.

Photo Credit: Ubisoft
Photo Credit: Ubisoft

The Division 2 is available now on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC. 


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