The Division 2 Is Frustratingly Good in 2023 – Review

Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 is a game that has been around for four years. As such, many people might be wondering if it’s still worth playing or if the game’s player base has dwindled. With games like Anthem dropping off quickly after their release, it’s understandable to be cautious. However, I can confidently say that Division 2 is still going strong in 2023.

As someone who has played the Division titles on and off since their releases, I must say that Division 2 has evolved into a much better game overall. While I preferred the setting of the first game in New York, the second game is still a great experience. After spending over 80 hours immersed in the game recently, I want to share my thoughts on Division 2 in 2023.

In this article, we’ll explore the good, the bad, and the unfortunate ugly of Division 2. Whether you’re a new player or someone considering jumping back into the game, this article will provide you with valuable insights. So, without further ado, let’s dive in and explore the good side of The Division 2.

You can watch our YouTube video version of this review on our YouTube channel, by clicking the below link:

THE GOOD of
The division 2

Playerbase is still active

One of the most crucial aspects of any online game is its playerbase, and that’s no different when it comes to Tom Clancy’s The Division 2. While some players may worry that the game’s popularity has declined since its initial release, I’m happy to report that the playerbase is still active and thriving.

Whether you’re a new or returning player, you can easily find players to group with using the matchmaking system. While there may not be as many active clans or groups as in the past, the matchmaking system works well for most activities, especially those required for seasonal content.

In fact, the playerbase in Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 is still stronger than many other looter shooters, even some more recent ones. For example, Outriders, a looter shooter released more recently than The Division 2, has significantly fewer players. In my personal experience, I’ve had trouble finding groups to play with in Outriders, while I’ve had no issues finding other players to join me on missions or other activities in The Division 2.

Just to give you an idea of the difference, Outriders averages only 380 concurrent players on Steam, while The Division 2 has an average of 2.7 thousand over the last 30 days. It’s worth noting that The Division 2 was just released on Steam in January 2023, so many older players are not included in the Steam statistics.

No matter what platform you’re playing on, you’ll find a bustling community of players ready to team up with you in Tom Clancy’s The Division 2. So don’t let concerns about the playerbase stop you from jumping back into the game – you’ll always find fellow agents to fight alongside.

Loot & Build Diversity

The Division 2 is a looter shooter game that excels in loot and builds’ variety. This aspect of the game is crucial for the players, and Division 2 delivers on it impressively. The game offers an immense amount of loot, including weapons, gear, and mods. What sets Division 2 apart from other looter games is the diversity of its loot. Unlike other games in the genre, Division 2 doesn’t rely on making gear sets, uniques, or legendary items so powerful that the entire build consists of only them. Instead, players can find builds made primarily from high-end items, which are similar to rare items in other games.

With so many loot options available, players can customize their character in countless ways, tailoring their playstyle to suit their preferences. The loot system in Division 2 is so robust that countless YouTube videos with builds pop up daily, which is a testament to the strength of the game’s loot design.

The importance of loot design cannot be overstated in the looter shooter genre. One example of a looter game that suffered because of its poor loot design is Anthem, which we mentioned earlier. Players didn’t feel rewarded with either the quality or quantity of loot drops, leading to the game’s ultimate downfall.

In contrast, The Division 2 takes a different approach and showers players with loot. This sense of reward, combined with the game’s great gameplay, is what keeps players coming back to Division 2, always eager to see what new treasures they can find. Overall, Division 2’s loot and builds’ variety are one of the game’s strongest aspects and a major reason why it’s still worth playing.

Seasons in Division 2

Seasons have become a popular feature in many games, but they are not always executed well. The Division 2, however, does an excellent job with its seasonal content. Each season lasts several weeks and includes new challenges, events, and rewards for players to enjoy.

What sets The Division 2’s seasonal content apart is that it doesn’t feel like a tedious grind. Unlike other looter games like Diablo or Path of Exile, you don’t have to level up a new character from scratch for every season. This feature is a refreshing change of pace that keeps players engaged without feeling like a chore.

The rewards for completing seasonal content are also worth your time, and the events are always interesting and engaging. The game’s strong foundation and the developer’s continuous updates to the title prove that The Division 2 is a game that is here to stay.

New Gamemode to be Released

The Division 2 has been a game that has consistently provided its players with new content, and the developers are not stopping anytime soon. With the recent announcement of Year 5’s roadmap, players have a lot to look forward to, including a brand new game mode called Descent.

While the specifics of Descent are still unknown, it has been confirmed that it will be a roguelite addition to the game, featuring its own unique progression system. This new addition is sure to bring a fresh and exciting experience for players, and it’s a clear sign that the developers are committed to keeping the game relevant and engaging.

For those who have taken a break from The Division 2, now is the perfect time to jump back in and see what’s new. With Descent and other surprises in store for the coming months, the game’s future looks bright and promising. As a player, I’m eager to try out the new content and see what kind of challenges and rewards are in store for us.

NEW PLAYER EXPERIENCE

Division 2 offers a new player experience that is not overshadowed by the removal of old content, unlike some of its competitors such as Destiny 2. While Destiny 2’s sunsetting of content has made it difficult for new players to understand what’s available and what’s not, Division 2 offers a much better and complete experience.

New players can explore the game at their own pace without worrying about missing out on content that’s been removed, and the game was designed for players to be able to solo story missions with just the right amount of challenge. While finding a party for story missions may be a challenge, the game’s solid new player experience and abundant content make it a great entry point for anyone looking to dive into the world of looter shooters.

Now let’s shift our attention to the less appealing part of The Division 2.

THE Bad of
The division 2

Skills can be clunky

Tom Clancy’s: The Division 2 may have its strengths, but like any game, it’s not without its weaknesses. One of the biggest criticisms players have had with the game is the clunky use of certain skills, specifically the chem launcher. While it can be a valuable tool for healing and dealing damage, players have found it difficult to aim and use effectively, leading to frustration.

Furthermore, some players have expressed disappointment in the way skills were handled in Division 2 compared to the first game. The switch from ultimates to specializations and the way skills are used and swapped can feel underwhelming and unintuitive, especially for fans of the original game.

While these issues may not be a dealbreaker for all players, they are certainly areas where improvements could be made. As such, those looking to jump into Division 2 should be aware of these potential drawbacks.

Inventory management
can be a chore

Inventory management can be a challenge in Division 2, and is one of the downsides of the game’s loot-heavy gameplay. With so many items dropping constantly, players can feel overwhelmed by the need to decide what to keep and what to discard. Storage space is also quite limited, which means you must constantly manage your gear to avoid hitting the cap.

This aspect of the game can be frustrating, and players may spend a significant amount of time sorting through their inventory, comparing stats, and deciding what to keep and what to deconstruct. Managing mods can also be time-consuming and take up valuable inventory space.

To improve the player experience, it would be great if the developers increased the storage capacity and added quality-of-life features, such as a separate stash space for mods or a better system for comparing items. While the loot-centric gameplay loop is enjoyable, the inventory management aspect can feel like a real chore. Players who enjoy collecting every item they come across should be prepared to spend a lot of time managing their inventory.

Lack of new expansions

Division 2’s post-launch content has been acknowledged for its regular updates and seasonal content, but some players have expressed a desire for more traditional expansions. These expansions could introduce new locations, storylines, missions, and gameplay mechanics, providing even more content for players to explore.

Not only could traditional expansions enhance the game’s overall experience, but they could also attract new players to the game. Full expansions tend to generate more excitement and media attention than regular updates, which could potentially lead to a larger player base.

Despite the current abundance of content, the lack of traditional expansions in Division 2’s post-launch support is a missed opportunity. The game could benefit from Ubisoft investing in full-fledged expansions to take the game to the next level and provide even more value to its players.

Now, let’s talk about the worst part of Division 2 experience – the ugly.

THE Ugly of
The division 2

Lags & technical Issues

Technical issues, such as lag and crashes, have been a persistent problem in The Division 2, greatly affecting the gameplay experience. While some areas of the game’s map remain stable, other activities like Summit or Countdown suffer from excessive lag, making the game unplayable for some. The exact cause of the lag is unclear, but some speculate that farming glitches may be contributing to the problem.

Moreover, Division 2’s sensitivity to internet connection quality can make it difficult to maintain a smooth gaming experience. Even minor activities on the same network can cause the game to lag, freeze, and even crash. Disconnects can result in losing mission progress, which can be frustrating for players.

These technical issues are unforunately usual part of the game, and it is essential for the developers to address them. However, given how long these issues have persisted, it remains uncertain whether Massive Entertainment will ever fix them completely.

The Bugs…

Despite offering a plethora of content, The Division 2 still suffers from several bugs and glitches that can detract from the overall experience. Although developers have released numerous updates and patches aimed at fixing these issues, some bugs continue to persist. For instance, enemies can become invulnerable or impossible to target when they get stuck in walls or objects, and players can get stuck in the environment. Furthermore, missions can bug out, preventing progression, and certain missions, like the DARPA laboratory, can become locked out, causing players to miss out on potential rewards and future content. These bugs can be frustrating, especially in a game that heavily emphasizes loot and gear, as they can prevent players from accessing rewards and making progress.

While developers have made efforts to address these issues, there is still much work to be done.

Summary

Despite its technical issues, The Division 2 has a lot to offer players, including great gameplay, an abundance of varied loot, and an immense amount of content. While it’s disappointing that technical problems have persisted since the game’s release, the overall experience is still enjoyable for those who can deal with occasional frustrations.

For players who enjoy looter games, The Division 2 is definitely worth checking out!
However, it’s important to be aware of the potential technical difficulties that may arise. Overall, the game has a lot of strengths that make it a compelling choice for fans of the genre, even 4 years after The Division 2 release!