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[leng jai]

I meant when you're not in a party. Destiny feels like a "shared-world shooter", even when you're running around by yourself. Not so, with The Division.

I will say the lack of matchmaking ruined Destiny for me and its thorough inclusion is part of the reason why I love The Division so much.

Yes, it's already very streamlined in The Division which is a good sign. You can be in a group of randoms for 90% of the time with ease even when you're just running around the map doing nothing. The main issue with the matchmaking is that it scales everything to the highest level player which obviously breaks down when you have big discrepancies between players.

Matchmaking is crucial in this game though since I don't believe it's anything special as a single player only game. I mean the story is serviceable and you can complete everything, it just starts getting really tedious after a certain level and you're trying to take down bullet sponge enemies by yourself.

 

[erawsd]

So now that a bunch of you got to play through this I need to know how long the main missions will take. Is this a Destiny situation where it's like 6-8 hours and it's done?

I played the beta, it's ok, destiny's gameplay is so much better that I am able to excuse the structure but I don't know if I would in Division. People say there is so much to explore, in the beta I found the exploration to be lackluster, random groups of enemies. The occasional fake batman investigation scene. Is there anything outside just shooting, a puzzle?

There is a lot of positive buzz, I don't know why, are the bosses amazing? Are there interesting gameplay scenarios or setpieces? Or is it just the beta extended out further?

If you didnt like the beta then you wont like the full game.

 

[Mr Croft]

Very strong reviews I really love this game. I Did not expect to see a such a strong start in scores!

 

[Animator]

So now that a bunch of you got to play through this I need to know how long the main missions will take. Is this a Destiny situation where it's like 6-8 hours and it's done?

I played the beta, it's ok, destiny's gameplay is so much better that I am able to excuse the structure but I don't know if I would in Division. People say there is so much to explore, in the beta I found the exploration to be lackluster, random groups of enemies. The occasional fake batman investigation scene. Is there anything outside just shooting, a puzzle?

There is a lot of positive buzz, I don't know why, are the bosses amazing? Are there interesting gameplay scenarios or setpieces? Or is it just the beta extended out further?

Maybe we need to start a thread because it is getting boring answering this same question over and over.

Beta was the tutorial level equivalent. Yes later missions are incredibly more impressive set piece and difficulty wise than madison square garden mission. There are way more enemies and roaming factions in the DZ and in the PvE world. The play area is massive with lots of landmarks to see and explore. Stuff to find and collect, etc.

If you just play it single playthrough and don't touch endgame or dark zone you have 25-30 hours of gameplay at least, that's just doing main missions and side missions.

This is a game where the time of day and weather directly effect how you play a mission in higher difficulties (fighting snipers in snow storm is completely different than fighting in clear sunny weather) I am 40 hours in and loved every second of it.

 

[antitrop]

Yes, it's already very streamlined in The Division which is a good sign. You can be in a group of randoms for 90% of the time with ease even when you're just running around the map doing nothing. The main issue with the matchmaking is that it scales everything to the highest level player which obviously breaks down when you have big discrepancies between players.

Matchmaking is crucial in this game though since I don't believe it's anything special as a single player only game. I mean the story is serviceable and you can complete everything, it just starts getting really tedious after a certain level and you're trying to take down bullet sponge enemies by yourself.

I've been playing it as single-player for all the side content/collectible stuff, then do quick matchmaking for the story missions, and take trips to the Dark Zone once in awhile to shake up the collectathon monotony.

It's a pretty nice mix of isolation and loneliness when wandering the streets and all out chaotic coop warfare. Keeps things interesting.

 

[Big_Al]

Yes, it's already very streamlined in The Division which is a good sign. You can be in a group of randoms for 90% of the time with ease even when you're just running around the map doing nothing. The main issue with the matchmaking is that it scales everything to the highest level player which obviously breaks down when you have big discrepancies between players.

Matchmaking is crucial in this game though since I don't believe it's anything special as a single player only game. I mean the story is serviceable and you can complete everything, it just starts getting really tedious after a certain level and you're trying to take down bullet sponge enemies by yourself.

CoOp is where the tactical gameplay definitely starts to shine and you can see it in the level design too. Just with the friends I was playing with and the way we were using our different skills to aid each other or I was suppressing a sniper with an LMG whilst they flanked them.

We've also had Cleaners and especially Rikers flank us and scare the shit out of us resulting in screams on the mic

It's been a funny experience as I'm playing both the PC version and the PS4 version, with PC being solo (so far) and PS4 mostly coop. Both fun but different experiences.

 

[leng jai]

I've been playing it as single-player for all the side content/collectible stuff, then do quick matchmaking for the story missions, and take a trip to the Dark Zone once in awhile to shake up the collectathon monotony.

Same here, which is kind of backwards in theory. Normally I'd do story missions solo but in this it's more fun co-op. All the side missions and free roam are done solo. I'm level 16 and haven't started on DZ yet though.

 

[Tatsumi Oga]

I really didn't think the alpha and beta were anything special, and by the looks of it i won't be really liking the full game neither. I read about repetitive missions and i already wonder why it's getting so much praise in the reviews. It's exactly that which really bothered me big time. The missions just weren't anything special at all.

 

[antitrop]

Same here, which is kind of backwards in theory. Normally I'd do story missions solo but in this it's more fun co-op. All the side missions and free roam are done solo. I'm level 16 and haven't started on DZ yet though.

You can pretty much start going into the DZ as soon as Level 10ish. If you feel like it. It's the end-game content, but it's also viable game content for pretty much the entire time you play.

 

[Gunslinger]

45 hours on record for the last guy.....Bro do you even outside? Or socialize? Or sleep??? My goodness....

 

[Enixv3]

It's a pretty good game game but it's definitely got problems I understand the need for bullet sponginess but playing solo can be a nightmare to take down a yellow or purple guy and the dialogue at times can be really bad I mean really cheesy bad lines

 

[texhnolyze]

45 hours on record for the last guy.....Bro do you even outside? Or socialize? Or sleep??? My goodness....

The game sucks he can't even logout.

 

[TEH-CJ]

The game grew on me. Hated it at first but enkoying it now. Wish someone would a make a gritty game like this but shooting aliens

It would be like war of the worlds and battle of LA type atmosphere.

The loot would be a lot more interesting.

 

[Mman235]

the AI is so weak compared to what you see in contemporary shooters

I can't think of a single "contemporary shooter" with better AI than The Division. Note that that's a condemnation of modern shooters and not praise for The Division.

 

[Mr Croft]

The game sucks he can't even logout.

Dont you just love those troll reviews

Edit: bodied myself

 

[Crossing Eden]

I can't think of a single "contemporary shooter" with better AI than The Division. Note that that's a condemnation of modern shooters and not praise for The Division.

Coincidentally the best AI in a contemporary shooter right now is in Rainbow Six Siege's terrorist hunt mode.

 

[leng jai]

I'm actually surprised that there aren't more people complaining about enemies who are essentially wearing no armour can take hundreds/thousands of bullets to kill depending on difficulty. I mean it makes sense for the design of the game but it's still jarring to me at times, especially when the combat would literally breakdown if all the enemies just pushed forward and rushed you since it would be impossible to do enough DPS to take them down before you're overwhelmed. That seems like a pretty obvious gameplay flaw that most people are willing to gloss over.

 

[jesu]

I'm pretty sure the main reason they don't do that in this game is because it would make it impossible to win since they all have a billion HP on hard and up.

Eh, it would be easier if the just ran at you.
Have you played it?

The guys flanking and flushing make it even harder.
Don't get me started on the flame throwers...

 

[Live Free or Die]

It's a fun game but not as fun as Destiny in my opinion.

 

[leng jai]

Eh, it would be easier if the just ran at you.
Have you played it?

The guys flanking and flushing make it even harder.
Don't get me started on the flame throwers...

I'm talking about the flamethrower dudes once they get to elite level. It doesn't help that their flamethrowers seem to have huge range and just go through cover.

 

[ArkkAngel007]

I'm actually surprised that there aren't more people complaining about enemies who are essentially wearing no armour can take hundreds/thousands of bullets to kill depending on difficulty. I mean it makes sense for the design of the game but it's still jarring to me at times, especially when the combat would literally breakdown if all the enemies just pushed forward and rushed you since it would be impossible to do enough DPS to take them down before you're overwhelmed. That seems like a pretty obvious gameplay flaw that most people are willing to gloss over.

Personally, it hasn't been too jarring. Especially in co-op. It still is a bit of a disconnect coming from a Tom Clancy title.

 

[MiamiWesker]

Maybe we need to start a thread because it is getting boring answering this same question over and over.

Beta was the tutorial level equivalent. Yes later missions are incredibly more impressive set piece and difficulty wise than madison square garden mission. There are way more enemies and roaming factions in the DZ and in the PvE world. The play area is massive with lots of landmarks to see and explore. Stuff to find and collect, etc.

If you just play it single playthrough and don't touch endgame or dark zone you have 25-30 hours of gameplay at least, that's just doing main missions and side missions.

This is a game where the time of day and weather directly effect how you play a mission in higher difficulties (fighting snipers in snow storm is completely different than fighting in clear sunny weather) I am 40 hours in and loved every second of it.

Ok this is interesting, others agree with this? One guy above just said if you don't like the beta then don't bother. I enjoyed the beta, just not as much as something like Destiny (which right from the start of the beta it all clicked and felt amazing) and I am looking for that hook that makes this game special.

 

[Tragicomedy]

The game is far better than I expected. Polish alone is superb.

 

[Crossing Eden]

I'm actually surprised that there aren't more people complaining about enemies who are essentially wearing no armour can take hundreds/thousands of bullets to kill depending on difficulty. I mean it makes sense for the design of the game but it's still jarring to me at times, especially when the combat would literally breakdown if all the enemies just pushed forward and rushed you since it would be impossible to do enough DPS to take them down before you're overwhelmed. That seems like a pretty obvious gameplay flaw that most people are willing to gloss over.

Because with good gear along with a comparable level enemies go down quite easily.

 

[Animator]

Ok this is interesting, others agree with this? One guy above just said if you don't like the beta then don't bother. I enjoyed the beta, just not as much as something like Destiny (which right from the start of the beta it all clicked and felt amazing) and I am looking for that hook that makes this game special.

And for what it's worth I found DZ incredibly boring in the beta with hardly any enemies to be found and just a bunch of people killing each other out of boredom. It is a whole different ballgame in the final.

 

[leng jai]

Because with good gear along with a comparable level enemies go down quite easily.

I can see that actually. It's probably much worse when you're going through for the first time and using gimped gear.

 

[MiamiWesker]

And for what it's worth I found DZ incredibly boring in the beta with hardly any enemies to be found and just a bunch of people killing each other out of boredom. It is a whole different ballgame in the final.

Cool cause that is the most intriguing part for me. Any details?

 

[Helznicht]

Because with good gear along with a comparable level enemies go down quite easily.

PC mouse accuracy for head-shot wins

 

[Cake Boss]

45 hours on record for the last guy.....Bro do you even outside? Or socialize? Or sleep??? My goodness....

The best is that after spending 45 hours with the game he finally decided to write a review for it. How the fuck do you not know of you should continue to play this game or not 5 hours in.

 

[Grassy]

I've never gotten into an online game. Am I going to have a bad time if I don't play with friends? Matching up with strangers sounds pretty iffy to me. Going solo would be best...

I'm about 16 hours in at level 12, and I've been playing solo pretty much all of the time and really enjoying it. The only time I've teamed-up was for the last main-mission I did and it was great. Without any communication we were flanking the AI and everyone was in-tune to what needed to be done. I'll be matchmaking for the rest of the main missions from now on, but still going solo for the most part.

Even in the Dark Zone it doesn't take long for people to add you to their group if you're helping out at an extraction point. It's pretty cool.

Yea, I'm watching a Twitch stream and some of the AI enemies are taking like 20 rounds to the face before they die.

WAY too spongy. But they looked like "Rare" AI dudes because they had a different color nametag.

I don't get how enemies being spongy is bad or different from any other loot-based RPG. I mean it isn't much different than Diablo 3 or Destiny in that regard. I'm guessing people don't like it in The Division because it's a more realistic setting than the usual fantasy/sci-fi RPG?

 

[Animator]

Cool cause that is the most intriguing part for me. Any details?

For starters you don't have the whole server playerbase jammed into dz01-02 which was all that was available in the beta and also thats where the "easy" enemies show up so the fights werent fun in the beta. The further you go north the more shit gets real.

They dramatically increased the enemy numbers and spawns in the DZ, there are a lot of landmarks you can go into and explore and some really hard enemies that take almost multiple teams to take down (in end game).

You have multiple enemy NPC factions roaming the streets in the DZ and they fight each other as well as the players so some really cool firefights break out that are not always in the same place/same location. They really nailed the "no mans land" feeling, you are always on the edge in the DZ and add to that the "are these people I see rogue or friendly" factor it is always fresh.

 

[tanooki27]

woah Nellie! had no idea about this. the game looked bland (more Tom Clancy?) so I've been sleeping on it. no longer

 

[ryseing]

I've been playing it as single-player for all the side content/collectible stuff, then do quick matchmaking for the story missions, and take trips to the Dark Zone once in awhile to shake up the collectathon monotony.

It's a pretty nice mix of isolation and loneliness when wandering the streets and all out chaotic coop warfare. Keeps things interesting.

I've been doing the exact same thing, and I recommend everyone who has been playing solo to follow this advice as well. The only thing that I would change would be occasionally putting other players throughout the world. Not sure though if that would work with their matchmaking tech because everyone has their own separate "world".

 

[ferenz]

Preface: I'm really enjoying The Division and believe I will continue to do so for quite some time.

It will average out around 7 with major review outlets.

• The missions are very repetitive after you see the first set of them < level 10
• The Dark Zone will frustrate PVE players who want a non-pvp endgame activity like raids in Destiny
• The land mass feels very small and compressed with too much sami-ness
• The world is very, very empty unless you use matchmaking...why didn't they implement seeing/interaction with other individual players in the world a la Destiny?
• The gear is too realistic/bland to excite the people who want to get that next amazing gun....it's just another assault rifle with 100 more dps

There are lots of really great things about the game also that I don't think any reviewer will be able to deny

• Matchmaking everywhere is fantastic
• The combat scales very nicely from solo -> full group
• The missions are very well designed for co-op, I might say even better than the original run of Destiny strikes
• The combat options and mechanics are very solid...it feels like there's a lot of variety in skillset you can build and the cover shooting is maybe the best implementation I've ever played

I just don't think there's enough here to avoid the obvious Destiny comparison...fantastic engine with best-in-class combat mechanics (some people will disagree if they like run and gun) and great co-op encounters, but severely lacking in varied content. I think their announcement of all the upcoming DLC was well timed as that should keep people like me excited about playing new content continually over the next year, but I don't think it will stop major reviews from docking big points for the current content state. All in all, I think it will be a major game going forward and continue to improve with each content package release, but I don't think it will score super well with major review outlets at launch. I would be very surprised if the publisher/developer weren't already expecting ~7ish review scores with the knowledge that it won't matter because they'll fill out the content over time and players will love it regardless of review. Destiny has already proved that this is an entirely feasible way to launch a successful game of this type.

 

[Netherscourge]

I think the issue with the spongey enemies is that unloading a whole clip at someone's head, at point blank range, who doesn't even flinch, just doesn't look realistic.

They should have added more pain or reflex animations.

It's more of a suspension of disbelief thing I guess. In a modern FPS, it's harder to make it look realistic than it is in a more traditional fantasy setting with melee weapons and shields and the like.

Destiny had the same problem.

 

[shinobi602]

I'm very sure that this game won't have a 90 metacritic once most of the reviews from reputable sites are out. This game reminds me of Destiny in that it's going to take some time for people to come to the realization that it's not a good game. It's technically competent but it is probably one of the most generic boring games released to date. It truly doesn't shine in any category.

 

[Karak]

Because with good gear along with a comparable level enemies go down quite easily.

I think the issue with the spongey enemies is that unloading a whole clip at someone's head, at point blank range, who doesn't even flinch, just doesn't look realistic.

They should have added more pain or reflex animations.

It's more of a suspension of disbelief thing I guess. In a modern FPS, it's harder to make it look realistic than it is in a more traditional fantasy setting with melee weapons and shields and the like.

Destiny had the same problem.

Some of this ya. Nice thing is Ubisoft did a good deal of adjusting prior to release. It would be nice to see some changes artistically. Its not terrible but at times its still funny looking regardless. As long as people know what its going to look like its probably going to be fine to them.

 

[Wallach]

I think the issue with the spongey enemies is that unloading a whole clip at someone's head, at point blank range, who doesn't even flinch, just doesn't look realistic.

They should have added more pain or reflex animations.

It's more of a suspension of disbelief thing I guess. In a modern FPS, it's harder to make it look realistic than it is in a more traditional fantasy setting with melee weapons and shields and the like.

Destiny had the same problem.

The problem you run into there is whether or not the enemy is incapacitated during those reactions. If they can't return fire when they get "flinched", what's to stop every dangerous human enemy from getting chain stunned. They're trying to emphasize positioning and RPG stat dynamics; "flinches" in that context probably need to pass a consistent damage threshold or something along those lines rather than being RNG or guaranteed. It happens plenty in the game but you can see in cases where they have a lot of armor they're supposed to be high threat targets so they're much less susceptible to just being brute forced down.

 

[SilentRob]

As someone who was completely ready to not care about another generic third-person-shooter in another generic american city, I was totally blown away by this game. I don't know how they did it, but somehow they built one of the most atmospheric, detailed, interesting to explore open worlds of all time in one of the most boring video game settings i could imagine.

Also, the enemies are bullet sponges but it's still SO MUCH FUN to shoot them. Because they DO flinch. Because they DO react. And the bosses are great. And each and every main mission looks completely different. And oh my good does it look good. And don't even get me started on the nerve-wrecking Dark Zone...

This thing blew me away. And the fact that a Multiplayer Open World game by Ubisoft could blow me away in 2016 blew me away all over again.

 

[Big_Al]

Some of this ya. Nice thing is Ubisoft did a good deal of adjusting prior to release. It would be nice to see some changes artistically. Its not terrible but at times its still funny looking regardless. As long as people know what its going to look like its probably going to be fine to them.

Massive seem to be very responsive on looking at/responding to feedback. I can see them supporting/adjusting the game as needbe, making additions etc. Along with being Ubisofts best first day seller title ever (always helps) I can see Massive being allowed to support the game how they see fit at least.

 

[CookedChocobo]

So from my understanding this is a better Destiny. I may pick it up. Is the DLC region locked? I am moving out of the country so I do not want to get stuck not being able to buy the DLC.

It's different game than Destiny honestly. Only has similiar RPG qualities.

 

[jesu]

I'm talking about the flamethrower dudes once they get to elite level. It doesn't help that their flamethrowers seem to have huge range and just go through cover.

Poor us.

Move mother fucker.

Don't hide behind your cover.

 

[Interficium]

Because with good gear along with a comparable level enemies go down quite easily.

This gif is really disingenuous. It shows red-bar, no-armor roaming enemies in the PVE overworld.

On any of the missions, particularly if you're not doing normal mode, or in the dark zone, the game almost never throws this variety of enemy at you; they're almost always purple and yellows with tons of armor pips.

 

[SilentRob]

This gif is really disingenuous. It shows red-bar, no-armor roaming enemies in the PVE overworld.

On any of the missions, particularly if you're not doing normal mode, or in the dark zone, the game almost never throws this variety of enemy at you; they're almost always purple and yellows with tons of armor pips.

But your are probably not going to play the missions on hard the first time. So your whole first run through the game will consist mainly of enemies like this. On the streets there are almost only enemies like this.

Red-bar no-armor enemies are 90% of what I met during the 15 hours I played this game so far.

 

[leng jai]

This gif is really disingenuous. It shows red-bar, no-armor roaming enemies in the PVE overworld.

On any of the missions, particularly if you're not doing normal mode, or in the dark zone, the game almost never throws this variety of enemy at you; they're almost always purple and yellows with tons of armor pips.

Yeah this is what happens to me, I'm hoping getting to max level and gearing up properly will help a lot.

 

[Asd202]

This game got some really high scores. Ubi must be happy.

 

[bigdaddygamebot]

There are lots of really great things about the game also that I don't think any reviewer will be able to deny

• Matchmaking everywhere is fantastic

• 
  
  
  I'm not saying they did a poor job of this...however. This shouldn't even be a bullet point.
  
  Matchmaking in an online game such as this should be mandatory and we shouldn't be "thankful" to have it.
  
  
  Bungie? Hello? Are you listening?

 

[erawsd]

This gif is really disingenuous. It shows red-bar, no-armor roaming enemies in the PVE overworld.

On any of the missions, particularly if you're not doing normal mode, or in the dark zone, the game almost never throws this variety of enemy at you; they're almost always purple and yellows with tons of armor pips.

Even more, a 5 level difference is massive in this game. Enemies that are 5 levels above you dont even display a level, its just a big skull warning you to go the other way.

 

[Wallach]

Yeah this is what happens to me, I'm hoping getting to max level and gearing up properly will help a lot.

Once you start dealing with groups of higher level enemies, their armor does become more commonplace, it's a measure to guarantee the TTK doesn't get too low as your gear compounds with gained skills/talents and knowledge. They have expected you to have picked up on each enemy type's weaknesses and can exploit them better.

Flamethrower guys in particular can always be incapacitated and heavily damaged by puncturing their fuel tanks, which works even on yellow armored ones. This also damages nearby enemies. You can also choose to just CC them with disorient to slow their approach and give the tanks better strike angles (though generally the tanks can be hit even from front angles by aiming at their shoulder or sides).

 

[AncientDiety]

Every game is repetitive. That excuse doesn't fly.

Don't agree with this.