Tom Clancy’s The Division 2

I started playing Tom Clancy's The Division 2 thinking I'd try a mission or two before logging off. Somewhere along the way I picked up a slightly better backpack. Then another one. Then a rifle that looked almost identical to the one I had, except the numbers were technically a tiny bit better. I opened the inventory for a quick comparison and somehow twenty minutes disappeared while I was moving mods around and trying to decide if that tiny stat increase was actually worth changing my whole build. After a while the whole game settled into this strange loop of clearing a street, checking loot, tweaking the build, and heading back out for one more mission just to see if something slightly better might drop. At some point I realized I wasn't really saving Washington anymore. I was reorganizing my inventory. And somehow that kept me playing much longer than I expected.

I seen all the fuss of the 10th anniversary update on Youtube in my feed and decided to jump in after a video claimed the game has, "never been better". Usually these types of videos promoting their latest clickbait normally never lands with me, but I have to say I am quite surprised by this game. Let me preface this small review by first giving you some perspective of what I expect out of a game for me to consider it actually worth leaving a positive review. The first thing on the list! Normally not any Ubisoft games... Okay, with that out of the way. I'm normally not really into 3rd/1st person shooters that trade realism for stat padding. It's nice to reward yourself with new armor and weapons, but I'm more for the Tarkov style of approach to things when it comes to realism. Which is why I am extremely surprised just how interesting and entertaining this game is. Once you move past the tutorial and get some skin in the game, it's quite impressive how using cover and working firing angles really can determine your success in encounters. Using tactics like covering fire, suppressing for your assault friends to push is all very quite viable. I was under the impression this game would easily be abused by exploiting dumb AI, and being able to rush and overwhelm the enemy with firepower and skip tactics all together. That strategy may work for you in the beginning of the game, but if you're afraid to take is slow, use cover and plan your strategy all while dealing with a large variety of enemy forces? This game may not be for you. I'm unsure of what may be possible in the endgame. I've only sunk about 40 hours into the game and I am only level 16. A lot of the time I have to keep reminding myself that I am playing a Ubisoft game, it's so deceptively fantastic for this company. The gorgeous scenery and enviroments, the attention to detail on your gear and weapons. It's all just so polished and beautifully done. The only stark reminder that I find myself snapping back to reality that I am delving into a Ubisoft title is when the cosmetic cash shop hits you in the face. The cosmetic cash shop is extremely overpriced and way out of line. I can understand maybe throwing them 10 dollars for an outfit, but we're talking some of these outfits are closer to $20+. Like, what? Hell no! It's honestly really too soon to tell just how good this game is. I don't want to spoil the game with all these Youtube videos telling me how to build my character, and what I should be doing. I don't think you should be either. This review is from a new player, directed at other new players. I have extremely high standards for games. I've bought a lot of games that I regret, I can say with confidence I do not regret this purchase. This game so far is extremely well done and a great deal of fun. In my 40 hours I've managed to recruit 3 additional friends to the game who have all agreed, we've discovered a hidden gem here. The gameplay loop is satisfying and never (so far) feels repetitive. Time will only tell if I we can all squeeze 100+ hours of content and enjoyment out of this game, but so far it's doing a really great job. I hate saying this, and I had to cringe pretty hard writing this part, but I will admit it when it needs to be done. Good job on this one Ubisoft. Ps, please give us a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ flashlight for our characters that isn't a weapon attachment.