The Division is a slow burn. There’s really no other way to describe it.
I played the hell out of the Beta when it was available, and I picked up the Gold Edition of the game which – as I’m sure you know – launched yesterday.
Do I regret purchasing the season pass up front now that the game is released? No, not at all. It’s entirely possible that I will come to regret this decision later but I doubt it.
You see, The Division is exactly the type of game I’ve been waiting for. It’s an RPG first, and a third-person shooter second. It puts emphasis on loot and related stats, but not so much that you’ll go crazy conforming to particular builds.
That’s not even the best part, which comes from the Dark Zone, the entire PVP oriented area that encourages teamwork even with complete strangers, or the exact opposite.
Yes, The Division can be repetitive
When I see people arguing that it’s too repetitive, the only thing I can think to say in return is, what fucking game isn’t? Better yet, what RPG out there doesn’t call for some kind of repetition?
Even The Witcher 3 – which I fucking adore – gets repetitive. You’re always embarking on the same types of quests, leveling in the same manner, and collecting the same loot over and over – which you hope either looks better or has better stats. It’s a never-ending loop of samey-ness.
If repetition is your argument for why you don’t enjoy a game, then you probably shouldn’t be gaming at all. I’m sorry, but that’s the truth.
Now, there is a difference between good repetition and bad repetition. We’ve all been there when a game used the bad kind and it’s never pretty.
Is The Division Good?
Personally, I feel that The Division makes use of the good kind of repetition. Could I be wrong? Well, considering I’m taking my time with it and I’m only level 9 currently, yes I could be horribly wrong.
However, I don’t believe that to be the case for one simple reason. I’m enjoying the hell out of it, even if it is repetitive sometimes.
Massive has already promised three separate releases of additional content, and they’ve also promised they will launch monthly events and exclusive content for season pass holders.
To me, the game is fantastic as-is. I can’t imagine how much better it will get with the additional content.
Obviously, I will update my thoughts as soon as I make it to endgame because this could certainly end up playing out like Destiny. Keep in mind, that’s not a knock on Destiny, it’s just me acknowledging that the situation could play out for me in the same way.
I loved Destiny, but either the developers – or the publisher – turned it into a cash cow. They wanted it to be structured more like an MMO, where if you don’t keep up with the latest content you get left behind. And I get that business model, it makes sense to them and maybe even to some of you. It’s just not my thing, especially when it comes to a console game. I bought everything up until TTK and eventually realized, it’s getting to be too much and it’s time to bow out.
The same thing could happen with The Division. After the developers release the third and final content pack, they could release another paid update of some kind that requires you to spend even more. If that happens, I’ll take a step back and recalibrate.
Yes, it could happen here, and I am acutely aware of that fact. I could get burned twice.
I’m willing to take that risk because so far, The Division has been a hell of a ride. I can’t wait to experience more content, and I find myself already addicted to the gameplay and loot mechanics.
Hopefully, I’ll see you bitches in the game. If not, cool beans.
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