The Division is (would you believe it) just under two months away from release, with the delayed beta for the game expected to kick off at the end of this month. There’s a lot we still don’t know about Ubisoft’s own shared-world shooter, with most question surrounding all the bits of gameplay that don’t take part in the treacherous Dark Zone. This latest trailer offers answers to some while also giving us a while three minutes of new gameplay to pull and pick apart.
And that’s what you should do, because there’s a lot to dig through here. Front and centre is The Division’s take on, say, Destiny’s Tower. Unlike the pristine outpost for Guardians that lies ahead in humanity’s future, The Division will task you with rebuilding mother base with a host of engineers, scientists, doctors and armed specialists – to rekindle hope for humankind. That’s up to you and your team as you tackle the desolate wasteland that surrounds you.
It’s a good thing then that technology has kept up with the pace and offers you multiple ways to deal with foes – something that is injected right into the DNA of The Division. There’s a short snippet showing some deep weapon customisation, which holds individual statistics for every part of your weapon. Even sights play a massive role in range over ease of use (this is an RPG after all), so I expect a few hours to be spent in the armoury tweaking and tinkering away.
But nothing really holds up against real team work, and it looks like some of the more boss-like enemies will require just that. The Division might not explicitly assign roles to you, but you’ll need them in your fireteam to deal with certain situations. Having one player use a deployable shield to soak up damage is never a bad thing, leaving a space just wide enough for a close-quarters-specialist to make good use of.
I’m cautiously excited for the more open-world elements of The Division having already tried the backstabbing Dark Zone, and I’m hoping the beta answers a lot of questions around the overall structure that Ubisoft is trying to hit. With March 8th looming, that’s exactly what the game needs right now.
Geoffrey Tim
January 13, 2016 at 07:45
I remain cautiously optimistic. Played it, and have enjoyed it – just worried about it having a bit too much Destiny influence.
Gavin Mannion
January 13, 2016 at 08:09
Destiny Influence is a good thing you heathen
Geoffrey Tim
January 13, 2016 at 08:13
When it comes to the gunplay, shooting mechanics? Sure. When it comes to the goddamned grind and carrot on a stick bullshit? Get in the fucking sea of tranquility.
Loftus
January 13, 2016 at 08:17
There’s carrots in destiny ? Sold! Going to get it for sure now!
Stéfan le Roux
January 13, 2016 at 08:18
I’m with you here. The game looks very promising but I can’t help be a bit cautious about this game. Ubisoft haven’t exactly been setting the world alight with their last couple of games under delivering slightly. The concept of this game I really like though so I’m watching this space
Gavin Mannion
January 13, 2016 at 08:34
You haven’t even played Taken King…. shut your pie hole
Guild
January 13, 2016 at 08:11
I preordered and just waiting now. I’m excited for the game. Hopefully it delivers because games are fucking expensive now. I’ll probably buy 3 games this year and live off my backlog till the Rand recovers (if it ever does)
Loftus
January 13, 2016 at 08:16
It will more than recover! 🙂
Guild
January 13, 2016 at 08:37
I really hope so. A lot of doom and gloom talk at the moment. Got a few mates that have started the emigration process.
Ir0nseraph
January 13, 2016 at 08:19
With on that , The division is one of my 3 , but I might go to 4 😛
But one thing is for sure I won’t be buying a new game every month any more.
Guild
January 13, 2016 at 08:39
I’ll need to see but I got plenty on backlog so no real need to buy new except the 3 I marked out. I was thinking of the Sony VR at one point but ya kissed that goodbye. Rather watching my cashflow carefully now.
Stéfan le Roux
January 13, 2016 at 08:27
Steam sales are my future of gaming! 😛
Guild
January 13, 2016 at 08:38
Starting to think the same. Play 3-4 year old games. Got a big enough Steam backlog as it is
Stéfan le Roux
January 13, 2016 at 08:47
Same here but as an example on the last sale I bought Just Cause 2, Men of War and Medieval 2 Total War for R120!
Sageville
January 13, 2016 at 11:35
The co-op must flow…
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 13, 2016 at 07:47
If I can have a decent SP experience with this game I’ll pay attention, but it’s not looking that way.
Kromas untamed
January 13, 2016 at 07:48
Right now I need a corridor shooter that just tell me to shoot crap in front of me. Lucky for me then that Doom is coming.
Hammersteyn
January 13, 2016 at 07:49
Was fun at Rage. @disqus_YDGhciulmi:disqus was like get to the choppa but we were like, nope.
Ir0nseraph
January 13, 2016 at 07:55
That was a good day.
Now a ginger might bite and join us in the division.
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 13, 2016 at 07:58
An extra meat shield is always handy.
Ir0nseraph
January 13, 2016 at 08:00
XD
Hammersteyn
January 13, 2016 at 08:23
Is our plans that obvious?
Ir0nseraph
January 13, 2016 at 08:24
Well he can always carry all the loot into the darkzone and then be robbed by teammates 😛
Gavin Mannion
January 13, 2016 at 08:35
*Are
Hammersteyn
January 13, 2016 at 08:40
I think my grammar is dying.
Loftus
January 13, 2016 at 08:41
You might have the Loftus FLu, being awesome but karent spell for shite!
VampyreSquirrel
January 13, 2016 at 08:46
The Admiral’s been gone for too long
Hammersteyn
January 13, 2016 at 09:02
It’s getting harder and harder to articulate 😛
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 13, 2016 at 08:39
What else could he be good for? 😉
Sageville
January 13, 2016 at 11:37
Yeah, probably my fav of rage.
Murshid Raven
January 13, 2016 at 07:52
Just got a little bit more interested in this game again.
Allykhat
January 13, 2016 at 08:04
Gonna wait on this one, regardless of how good it looks. I’m more interested in longevity of the game than the actual game itself. Destiny had me hooked for months. Warframe is now doing the same. I’m seriously hoping this game does the same thing.
ElimiNathan
January 13, 2016 at 08:15
Would love to hear all the haters saying this game is gna be a fail again after seeing this trailer
Hammersteyn
January 13, 2016 at 08:22
Destiny had a fantastic trailer to. But if the where honest Grindstone Cowboy would have played during the trailer (instead of rhinestone cowboy :P)
Alien Emperor Trevor
January 13, 2016 at 08:40
My first thought was “hehehehe”. My second thought was “I got that reference… fuck I’m old.”
Hammersteyn
January 13, 2016 at 08:41
XD
Ir0nseraph
January 13, 2016 at 08:23
They might still be stuck under there bridges :p
I for one can’t wait for this game, enjoyed the alpha ready for the full game.
Loftus
January 13, 2016 at 08:25
You should see all the haters jump on the band wagon of how excellent this game is when they stand a chance of winning it.
#InNumber7WeTrust
Loftus
January 13, 2016 at 08:23
My first impression of this game is it looks gritty and stunning. I just get the feeling it’s one of those games you have to play with other people. Now in that is where my problem is, 1 no internet connection 2 strangers are dangerous ( online people tend to destroy such games for me).
Can anyone tell me if it is a single player driven story or if it’s small single player campaign with most the actual game in multiplayer?
The Sten
January 13, 2016 at 08:41
God that snowdrop engine is so sexy
HairyEwok
January 13, 2016 at 09:11
This game still seems exciting for me, then my mind drifts into the online aspect and I remember that a shooting game at 200+ ping is not fun at all and I lose all my excitement.
Jonah Cash
January 14, 2016 at 11:53
I need this game!!!