Skip to main content

Tom Clancy's The Division - Detailed Review and Conclusion

Three division agents in the destroyed city of New York.
Credits: Image Source - Ubisoft/Media

"Tom Clancy's The Division" is a third-person shooter with tactical RPG/Loot Shooter elements developed by Massive Entertainment and published by Ubisoft. The game is set in New York City after a disease collapses the entire state in just five days during Black Friday. In this review, I will cover the main aspects of the game.

How is the setting of a devastated New York presented?

The game showcases the characteristics of a city in decline, with destroyed homes, gangs of robbers forming, people in shelter locations, and other details.

Is the story engaging and well told?

The game's story develops through cutscenes and main missions. They give you an idea and understanding of what's happening in the game's campaign. However, in terms of the story being engaging and well told, I believe it falls short. 

Due to the constant character progression, you may find yourself more focused on leveling up than on the story itself.

How is the gameplay experience in terms of shooting and cover mechanics?

Very good. The shooting and combat experience is enhanced by enemies who are extremely accurate with their aim, making the gunfights more dynamic, especially on higher difficulty levels.

As for the cover mechanics, you can slide between covers, walls, and other locations simply by looking in the direction you want to go and pressing the respective cover button.

Division agents exchanging fire with enemies using a destroyed taxi as cover.
Credits: Image Source - Ubisoft/Media

How is the interaction with other players?

You can invite up to three friends to complete the campaign with you. The group leader chooses the mission and difficulty, and only their campaign will progress. The other three players will acquire new skills and weapons, but without advancing in their own campaigns.

Is the cooperative system well-implemented and does it add to the gameplay experience?

Yes. The cooperative mode basically brings the four players together to complete a specific mission or explore the map of New York, each following their own path. There is no friendly fire with direct weapons in The Division.

How does the character progression system work?

To progress in the game, players need to defeat stronger enemies to obtain better gear. The higher the mission difficulty, the greater the rewards. The loot in the game is random.

Are there equipment and skill customization options that make a difference in gameplay?

Yes. Primary and secondary weapons can be equipped with modifiers that alter some of their characteristics. As for skills, players have three main base skills to choose from:

  • Medical Skills
  • Tech Skills
  • Security Skills

Medical skills, as the name suggests, are abilities that restore the player's health. Tech skills are technological abilities that help the player in combat, like deploying a turret that shoots or throwing a bomb, for example. Lastly, security skills provide abilities that help the player defend themselves and avoid getting shot.

Are the game’s missions varied and challenging?

No. The main missions are not varied, but the side missions are quite repetitive. Many times, I felt like I was doing the same mission I had done some time ago. Regarding difficulty, only in the main missions can you choose the difficulty, between normal and hard.

Division Agent map open in the Dark Zone.
Credits: Image Source - Ubisoft/Media

Does the game offer a good balance between difficulty and fun?

The game's genre is Looter Shooter, where you basically kill enemies to progress, somewhat similar to Destiny. Playing solo can still be enjoyable, but as I always say, playing with friends is much more fun.

How long does it take to beat the game?

It took me about 20 hours to complete the main story alone. According to How Long To Beat, it takes around 24 hours to finish the main story. Completing both the main and side missions will take around 47.5 hours.

Where can I buy the game?

You can purchase the game through my links below, without changing the final price. This way, you'll be financially supporting my work and encouraging me to bring more reviews like this.

Links to buy Tom Clancy's - The Division for PC/Ubisoft Connect or subscribe to Ubisoft+:

Tom Clancy's The Division (Standard Edition):

Tom Clancy's The Division (Gold Edition):

Conclusion.

Tom Clancy's The Division is an excellent game for those who enjoy the Looter Shooter genre. The game offers challenges, a cooperative mode, and a solid progression system, making it one of the best games in the franchise and from Ubisoft. 

If you're considering buying the game, give it a chance. It's also available on the Ubisoft+ subscription service.

If you're interested in watching some gameplay, I'll leave my YouTube playlist here.

Comments