Tom Clancy's The Division™ Beta | First Look Review

(see video link below)

Here is a first peak at the highly anticipated Tom Clancy's The Division™ which is set to be released on March 8, 2016.

It is reported that some 6.4 million people played the beta. That's an incredible turnout and it shows how much excitement there is surrounding the arrival of this game.

When first announced, The Division™ generated a lot of buzz with claims that it was a true "next-gen" masterpiece. While I enjoyed playing it, I did not get the feeling that I was playing something that was quite so noteworthy. The graphics are very well done and the gameplay is quite smooth but it seems that I just didn't encounter those elements which were supposed to make this release the darling of next-generation gaming.

Perhaps I have been spoiled by recent games which have implemented the kind of stunning visuals seen in offerings such as Star Wars™ Battlefront™ which, at times, seem to immerse the player in a photograph or high definition movie. Even the aging Battlefield 4, in my humble opinion, offers a much more engaging and immersive experience than was offered by The Division's beta demonstration.

Take a first look at The Division™ by clicking on the frame above.

To be fair, it is important to remember that the beta is not the final version of the game. There may be elements that I have not yet seen or experienced. Other reviewers speak of the game being vastly more satisfying when played with friends. I stuck with the single-player mission and did not venture into the Dark Zone where, quite possibly, everyone was having all of the fun.

Although I very much enjoyed the beta and will likely get a kick out of the game when it is officially released, I was not enthralled enough to pre-order the game. There are so many great games to play and so very little time to play them. This one can wait until the full game is released and there's a chance to see some reviews and gameplay videos produced by other gamers.

In full disclosure, many people who are excited about this game also continue to rave about Destiny™. While that game, too, looked visually stunning and had smooth gameplay and wonderful mechanics, it always felt like I was playing a game that wasn't quite done yet. It seemed like something was missing and the story, itself, just kind of disappeared after only a few levels. I was never quite sure what to make of that game either.

Enjoy a round of Destiny™ by clicking on the frame above.

If The Division™ proves to be a lot like a version of Destiny™ set in the "almost real" world then I can see why playing with others might greatly enhance the game. The most fun I had playing Destiny™ was when playing with a friend. When venturing alone, I usually ended up deciding that my limited time for gaming was best spent playing something else.

I hope that this review will prove useful to people interested in knowing more about Tom Clancy's The Division™. I also hope that my comments do not upset anyone or otherwise rain on any parades. My opinions are just opinions and should never be confused with facts. I could be completely wrong and this may be the best game I'll play this year. Let me know what you think in the comment section below.

Here's to another great year!

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Pilchuck
of Skookum Valley Gaming

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