Tom Clancy's The Division is among the most exciting games in development today. Developed in Sweden by Ubisoft Massive, it's a veritable smorgasbord of the latest trends in game design. The Division is anything but, seamlessly blending single-player and multi-player elements in an open and persistent world.
Announced back in 2013, before the launch of the Xbox One and PS4 hardware it's built to run on, The Division instantly became something of a next-gen poster child. Not only did it look fantastic, but with elements such as players dropping into help out via a tablet app, it felt suitably like the future of gaming. Now, two years on and with the release date still some way off, one thing we can be sure of is that they haven't rushed it!
In brief
What is it? | Ubisoft's third-person, squad-based shooter set in a post-viral disaster New York |
When is it out? | March 8th 2016 but an Xbox One beta will happen first |
What's new? | MMO elements mean you'll have to think before you shoot and play nicely with others |
Release date
The good news is that The Division now has a release date, the bad news is that it's not until March 8th 2016. Still at least that gives the developer plenty of time to get everything nice and polished, or rather dirty and derelict given the games content and setting. Put the date in your diary now and we'll see you in New York.
However, Xbox One players will be able to get a sneak peak of the game earlier, as Ubisoft announced that an exclusive Xbox One beta will be hitting consoles this December. PS4 and PC owners, meanwhile, will have to wait until early next year before they can test the waters of Ubisoft's latest online action RPG.
Background
Yes, The Division is set in the Big Apple, and set soon after the outbreak of a catastrophic virus that has decimated the population and destroyed society in just a few days. The remainder of the population is fighting for survival with no significant police or military presence. Thankfully, the US government has foreseen such a problem and implanted sleeper agents among the US population. These are the titular division, to be activated in times of extreme peril to protect everyone else
It's a survivalist fantasy then, with heroes drawn from the populace stepping up to save the USA through a combination of gut instinct, a strong moral compass, and of course overwhelming firepower. As yet another take on the post-apocalyptic, it's not exactly the most original storyline but Ubisoft have fleshed it out nicely and with events happening immediately after the disaster, it's no Fallout, The Last of Us or Mad Max, with a world that you can relate to immediately.
Gameplay explained
Traditional game genres are being broken down and recycled all over the place, and The Division is no exception to that trend. At its core it's a third-person shooter, with the usual over-the-shoulder aiming and cover mechanics you've come to expect. What we've seen to date centres on small skirmishes in the abandoned urban canyons of Manhattan, though interiors and Metro stations have also featured.
That all sounds pretty conventional so far. Next, the game mixes in a hefty dose of Destiny. Post-viral New York is a persistent multiplayer space, so as you explore and fight you'll encounter other players, who you can team up with to take on tougher enemies. You can also play with your own friends of course.
The team-work element is essential, with The Division drawing heavily from MMOs. Characters can specialise, via skill and equipment choices, to fit certain roles, such as medic, damage dealer, tactical support or tank (someone who can take a lot of damage and attention from enemies).
This makes the firefights highly tactical affairs. You'll want need to make sure each character's talents are used to the full. For example, using your big guy to attract their attention, while a second character keeps him healed up from cover and a third flanks the enemy to eliminate their cover advantage. Fancy homing grenades and pop-up gun turrets are just some of the kit you can use to achieve your tactical aims.
As you clear out areas you'll be able to take control of landmarks within them. This will provide you with bonuses for your ongoing mission. The whole of Manhattan is open to players from the start, in theory, though some areas will feature enemies that are tough to take on initially, while others will require special protective kit to enter.
You'll all be on the lookout for new kit all the time, preferably stuff that works in tandem with your abilities and approach to the game. There's loads of loot to find too, with different categories (such as 'epic') giving it a further MMO feel. You can trade loot with other players you meet, and you'll want to as most of it boosts specific skill types, but there won't be a central marketplace or auction house.
Multiplayer
At E3 2015, Ubisoft revealed The Division's multiplayer PvP Dark Zones for the first time. In these highly contaminated and quarantined areas of New York, anything can happen. Players can enter these zones seamlessly from the main game and either form groups to work together, or turn against other players to steal their hard-earned loot. Massive Entertainment's Ryan Barnard said it's all about the fear and paranoia of playing in a place where you can trust no one, and the gameplay demo certainly seemed to accentuate that tense, eerie atmosphere.
As a team of two made their way into one of the playable Dark Zones, they not only found enemies from the new Reicher faction, taking the form of snipers, rushers and assault characters, but they also encountered three other human players as well. For a moment, it seemed like everything would erupt in a huge gunfight, but fortunately the other players were friendly, making it much easier to take out the awaiting hordes.
Dealing with enemy AI is one thing, but getting you and your contaminated loot out of the Dead Zone is another thing entirely, and it's here where your fragile bonds of trust will really be put to the test. After all, it's only once you extract your loot that you can equip it, so you'll need to hold your ground for 90 seconds before you can leave the area and claim your prize. However, as we saw in the gameplay trailer, the team of five quickly dwindled to just one as everyone made a last-minute dash for everyone's hard-won gear. Groups not only turned against each other, but players also turned on their own team mates by leaving their group, effectively abandoning their friends in favour of their own gear.
