Shooting to the top of the division...
THERE’S a strong and disturbing theme emerging among this year’s big games – the downfall of the world as we know it. From apocalyptic happenings in Metro Exodus, and Far Cry New Dawn, to viral diseases in World War Z, and Days Gone, you have your pick of how the world ends.
So you won’t be surprised to hear that the main objective of The Division 2 is to stop Washington DC from falling, and preventing the total collapse of society.
As I write this I’m only about 26 hours into the campaign, but I’m having so much fun it doesn’t feel like it.
If you’ve played the first game then you’ll know how humanity came to be standing on the precipice, if you haven’t, then I won’t spoil it for you.
You play as one of a group of super soldier-style sleeper agents called away from protecting a civilian settlement to make a last stand for humanity in the American capital.
Even just an hour into the game and I was enjoying it much more than the first, which was so vast it
TOM CLANCY’S THE DIVISION 2
felt a little empty, and the battles a little soulless.
Right out of the gate the weapons feel much punchier, much more satisfying to wield. And unlike the first game when you hit a target they go down immediately, there’s no delay that leaves you wondering if you need to double tap them.
The action is well paced, and again, having listened to feedback from the first outing, there’s a better selection of enemies here – and they’re much better telegraphed too, with logos and skillsets appearing when you aim your weapon at them, so you know exactly what you’re up against.
And some of the baddies you encounter aren’t messing around. The first time I came up against the chainsaw-wielding heavy melee enemy, he kersplatted me in seconds.
The little menus also help to give you a clue as to the type of loot your baddie might drop when you’ve finished them off – top tip, the yellow dudes drop the most exotic goodies (depending on what level you are), the bad news though is that they act as bosses in the various phases of the game.
Graphically, the smoking ruins of DC are beautifully realised, the Lincoln Memorial, the Air Space Museum, even the rolling countryside of Virginia and Maryland on the way to the city have all been lovingly reproduced.
The storyline though is a little sketchy.
I know plotline isn’t important to a lot of people, especially when you’re playing a loot shoot game like this, but I just don’t feel invested in my mission, don’t really care enough about the other characters to go over and above to ensure their survival – unless it hampers me from completing a mission.
That being said, there are moments that have shocked me out of that apathy, little bite-sized moments that suddenly made me perk up and take note of what was going on.
The ability to choose what order you complete the tasks makes the game feel less of a grind, and the ample stocks of loot to be found stashed in the nooks and crannies of ruinous buildings also keep frustration from the door.
I’m nearly at the title’s endgame, yet I feel like I’ve barley scraped the surface of what this game has to offer. And that can only be a good thing.
HBargain buy:
GUNN BACK FOR GUARDIANS 3
THE most surprising news of the last week was the announcement that James Gunn, below, has been reinstated as director of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 3.
Gunn was pulled from directing duties on the Guardians third outing after a series of ill-judged old tweets came back to the surface.
But now Disney and Marvel have pulled a handbrake turn and rehired him.
Alan Horn, president of Walt Disney Studios, was reportedly won over by Gunn’s pubic apology.