Tom Clancy's The Division (PS4)

Very good game - possibly only 4 star but there are so many dumb 1 star reviews I gave it an extra star - it is and always has been an online game - it says so pretty clearly on the front of the box and in the many reviews - if you bought it without knowing this then it is not the games fault it is yours - don't give 1 star. If amazon delivered a day late - it is amazons fault not the games - don't give 1 star - this is a game review you're writing not an Amazon service review!!Anyway rant over.I see a lot of people compare this to Destiny and there are similarities in terms of weapon and gear purchase, upgrade modification etc. It is all very well handled in this game - slightly confusing at 1st but like any game the more you play the more you understand. The one thing I noticed is there is no clear and obvious upgrade pattern, some items improve certain attributes whilst reducing others - more so than destiny.In terms of game play you have various guns, grenades and special abilities and need to kill various types and strengths of bad guys and bosses to complete main missions, side mission and encounters. All of which progress the game along by giving you access to new parts of New York (you can access various parts of New York from the start but just won't be at a suitable level), access to better equipment and improve your base of operations. It reminds of InFamous in many ways - without the super powers.This is very much a duck and cover game, keep your distance, stay out of trouble and shoot whilst you can.All of the above is pretty standard stuff for online shooter/RPG style games but The Division does do it very well.Where I think it stands out it the sheer size of the map, the graphical style of New York (graphics are pretty good not worth moaning about), the feel of despair across the city and some of the little details such as dogs having a go at you if you disturb them. All very good.The multiplayer aspect is also very good - 4 player teams are almost essential on some missions - the matchmaking works very well most of the time and if not playing with friends it seems to pick other players of an equal level. Everyone I've played with so far has co-operated very well alsoThe dark zone is also very interesting - to rogue or not to rogue - I'm still getting to grips with this section.There are a few problems however.Glitches - it's a brand new game so some are expected - the most annoying is assembling a fire team for a mission only to find you are locked out / can't even start the mission. People joining you on a mission but being locked on the outside. I've also been trapped in a bush with no escape other than log out. I've also been in a safe house where everything lost colour. Doors I've unlocked becoming locked again.Encounters - quickly become very repetitive and somewhat boring but needed for XP and the odd piece of equipmentSide Missions - not as boring and repetitive as encounters but some are pretty identical just with different scenery - these are more essential to progressing the game however.And this one may just be me but it seems to take forever to load - I'm okay to read the epilepsy warning once but every flipping time - come on guys!!

A great gaming experience. Set in post apocalyptic New York, players take on the role of an elite band of urban warriers. At first the weapons and environment are easy but very quickly this changes and so must you if you're to survive. By completing missions you earn points and rewards. Perseverance and tactics will enable you to improve your weapon load out and skills. This is vital as the game goes on. Go to a higher level zone of the city before you're sufficiently levelled up and equipped and your only reward will be death. However, get your levels up and your loadout right and you'll breeze through missions.Because the entire game is hosted online you can team up with other players this is great fun and some of the missions will require it if you're to succeed.By completing missions you can upgrade the main base. Upgrade the base and get rewarded with new skills. These can be be new defensive or attacking skills these too are vital to gain if you're to progress.Once you've reached level 20 or so you can venture into the game's second area.. The Dark Zone.This is the same theme but with some twists. Firstly it's harder. Secondly the best rewards are to be found here. Thirdly and most importantly: Players in the Dark Zone can kill each other and benefit from doing so... The chances of surviving alone for even a short time in the Dark Zone are limited. Go in with a team.. but make sure you can trust them because at the end of a fight when half your team's gone they could turn on you and steal your bounty.Even if you do survive it's not going to be easy to get your new found kit out of the Dark Zone anyway.You have to go to predetermined areas and summon a chooper to carry your loot out. The thing is everyone near will know you have loot and you'll have to keep them at bay for five mins to get your new kit out, then you must get out of the DZ too to enjoy your spoils!This won't be everyone's cup off tea. It requires some time to level up. It's not just a shooter it's a good part RPG.Stick with it and the weapons and kit are awesome fun. However even tooled up the game can be very hard. Meet an enemy with yellow or purple above them and they are effectively ' bossess'. Meet one on a 'hard' missions and they will be a challenge! A real challenge. The game looks great, plays really well, is both cerebral and visceral. Available for less than £15.00 it's a must have provided you have an online subscription and half decent broadband.