The Division 1 had this feeling of urgency as a constant blast, but it was scripted of course, it was the story that made that happen. Reminded me of Mass-Effect epicness, even Garrus voice actor Brandon Keener voiced the A.I. The reason I skipped TD2 was due my fear of disappointment. Another mistake I did, was to watch Angry Joe 4 years ago about TD2. Now I believe he's not a reliable reviewer; he's often too comedic and avoids details. His review "helped me" to stay away, I see now it was all wrong.


If I had to go to war, given I agree with the goals, I'd just go. But I'm glad I'm not, because war is hell. And this game brings the chaos exactly how it is, specially during Control Points. You don't play with TD1 second wave agent, this new agent is the roaming.

1) One of the best TD1 feature was the enemy's AI, I'm relieved to report it still is good. If you don't get tactical things will bog you down. The AI was too forgiving at first, but it eventually tightened up. It is not just big-weapon-wins. Not just the enemy behaves beautifully, also the AI allies. It is formidable programming.

EDITED 2) I was wrong earlier. Matchmaking is much better than the first game. They fixed lots of problems with a simple "call for backup" feature for free roam. I never had to be all alone when things heated up even if I had to wait a bit. It is lore-friendly at best and really works quite often. For missions specifics it is slow, depending of the game's population.

EDITED 3) The urgency I mentioned earlier is partially gone, but there are reasons. They tried to make it the actual gameplay to be urgent, instead of scripts. Kinda works...

Usually, a sequel game (specially if Ubisoft) they do something I call "open ward" or simply outwards depths. I use a symbol to describe it <--> Well it works on TD2 for some reason, but it didn't work for me when I played Watch Dogs 2. The case is different in here, apparently The Division series needed that, even if it sacrificed some of its in-depths.

EDITED 4) With that being said, action and the world feels and looks more interesting - the main motivator to keep playing, farming, looting, befriending. TD2 looks bigger now and for that matter, lighter.


There are two ways to play this. Accept the pace and move single or coop, or just team-up for Dark Zones to advance better. It is a "Pro" because it is much better now. I never had to be a rogue agent to steal players, those who tried felt the wrath. My first DZ was so rewarding but the second one wasn't all great - if you keep returning all the time, you won't rip the benefits to aid your campaign.

Hard mode missions are less punishing than TD1, grind is less rewarding than DZ worst places. You can be a rogue there by holding a key, or if you attack someone first. I had a session where my squad and another one teamed up with us, because it is an option to avoid PvP now. (beware for betrayers though).

Don't like people much? I understand. It can be played on Singleplayer for the most part. The PvP is optional. You'd be missing the fun though, the full potential, but indeed most humans only thinks about their own progress in there.

EDITED 5) Guns and equipment are less annoying to update, because the attachments are now a skill reward. It isn't like before where every little thing forced us to constantly change sets off and on the guns. Need to keep it up of course, but it is more fluidic now.

6) There is this phenomenal sound effects, combat animations between AIs and overrall city atmosphere that makes it a very attractive boots-on-the-ground. It is good and was obviously cured with care by devs. I'm glad to see the quality from the first game evolved from that.

EDITED 7) Music is trying to hit the industrial metal but it still hits these 80s synths, it also theme the faction you're fighting, personally I like against The Outcasts, it hits good. I still prefer TD1 since it had more emotional intelligence but TD2 is more pumped. It matches the frenzy they're trying with this version though.

8) I think I oughta say it is a very addictive game, if you liked it, so be responsible. This was a public service announcement.

EDITED 7) The world hasn't ended but artwork is truly vibrating like Fallout or something, derailng to brutal animalistic. Good thing your actions can prevent further collapse by liberating Control Points, donating resources to settlements (like Fallout 4 did) and such projects.

9) TD1 managed to make microtransactions exclusive for cosmetic items only called "vanity" items, and so far TD2 seems to follow the premisse. Seems to vary more, you can even wear masks even outside the contamination zones.

But.... I need to say that the "surprise mechanics" (by EA) found its way through box cycling, like before. You can either buy full suits too, or modular parts, but I don't understand the purpose. They give us the option to overly decorate an agent that, to begin with, are very ugly. Perhaps the model is intentionally ugly?

One funny weird thing is, at the first, the story preaches how IMPORTANT it is for agents to go to D.C. - only to arrive there and the comm chat says "we need to go to NY!" It was so stupid I laughed hard. It is a DLC you need to buy to embark.

10) Well animated everything actually. Cover works much better and fludic, lots of TD1 mistakes were corrected on that. Still got some old problems, some places don't like you to take cover.


1) Photo mode sucks.

Ubisoft frills won't let you hyperlink artwork directly to the game from Steam deck. Screens tries to avoid Steam's sharing with the interface.

EDITED 2) No, females don't need to look like Victoria's models. I couldn't stop laughing while scrolling faces in the character creation because they seem particularly hideous, some where Smeagol-like or a halfling goblins. It took me a lot of job to make someone looking normal. Another devolved feature.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2977787483

Why NPCs get to be normal or even prettier than player's is suspicious at best.

3) This mute character thing is a bad idea for Online games, it makes the story even worse. Games like Warframe fixes player individuality by swapping the leader. The point-of-view of each player assumes him or herself as the one that is voiced, so the other players are mute - now that's a very smart idea from Warframe. But Rockstar and Ubisoft still "fixes" it by making the character mute.

4) The interface works strangely. At first it is intrusive and can be VERY confusing to make sense. It is information overload too. Most of the time you will be just doing missions randomly until you realize you need to find weird placed or NPCs to properly plan them.


5) Still not enough less repetitive weapons but they surely learned with D1, we can finally have snipers for example. There is late crossbows and even grenade launcher, not available at once but it exists.

CORRECTION 6) I was wrong about TD2 factions because they take too long to show each gang's personalities. TD1 had these Alt-Right ultranationalist army, you had pyromaniac gangs, each one with its themes. TD2 is similar, but the difference for me are the Outcasts, the presentation is great. Its Midsommar lunacy but with guns.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2979159606


If you liked this review, please join my curator page for more!

Overral, as much as I like TD1 style's better, I must admit TD2 truly got what it takes to be enjoyable on its own. Major problems in my opnion remains to weak story arc and some other design flaws I disagree with. Despise being <--> lighter than before, it makes things agile enough for good exploring and shooting sessions and memorable momments with friends.

[h1]Full review after free week's end.[/h1] The Division 1 had this feeling of urgency as a constant blast, but it was scripted of course, it was the story that made that happen. Reminded me of Mass-Effect epicness, even Garrus voice actor Brandon Keener voiced the A.I. The reason I skipped TD2 was due my fear of disappointment. Another mistake I did, was to watch Angry Joe 4 years ago about TD2. Now I believe he's not a reliable reviewer; he's often too comedic and avoids details. His review "helped me" to stay away, I see now it was all wrong. [h1]Pros - The havoc of war[/h1] If I had to go to war, given I agree with the goals, I'd just go. But I'm glad I'm not, because war is hell. And this game brings the chaos exactly how it is, specially during Control Points. You don't play with TD1 second wave agent, this new agent is the roaming. 1) One of the best TD1 feature was the enemy's AI, I'm relieved to report it still is good. If you don't get tactical things will bog you down. The AI was too forgiving at first, but it eventually tightened up. It is not just big-weapon-wins. Not just the enemy behaves beautifully, also the AI allies. It is formidable programming. EDITED 2) I was wrong earlier. Matchmaking is much better than the first game. They fixed lots of problems with a simple "call for backup" feature for free roam. I never had to be all alone when things heated up even if I had to wait a bit. It is lore-friendly at best and really works quite often. For missions specifics it is slow, depending of the game's population. EDITED 3) The urgency I mentioned earlier is partially gone, but there are reasons. They tried to make it the actual gameplay to be urgent, instead of scripts. Kinda works... Usually, a sequel game (specially if Ubisoft) they do something I call "open ward" or simply outwards depths. I use a symbol to describe it <--> Well it works on TD2 for some reason, but it didn't work for me when I played Watch Dogs 2. The case is different in here, apparently The Division series needed that, even if it sacrificed some of its in-depths. EDITED 4) With that being said, action and the world feels and looks more interesting - the main motivator to keep playing, farming, looting, befriending. TD2 looks bigger now and for that matter, lighter. [h1]About the grind[/h1] There are two ways to play this. Accept the pace and move single or coop, or just team-up for Dark Zones to advance better. It is a "Pro" because it is much better now. I never had to be a rogue agent to steal players, those who tried felt the wrath. My first DZ was so rewarding but the second one wasn't all great - if you keep returning all the time, you won't rip the benefits to aid your campaign. Hard mode missions are less punishing than TD1, grind is less rewarding than DZ worst places. You can be a rogue there by holding a key, or if you attack someone first. I had a session where my squad and another one teamed up with us, because it is an option to avoid PvP now. (beware for betrayers though). Don't like people much? I understand. It can be played on Singleplayer for the most part. The PvP is optional. You'd be missing the fun though, the full potential, but indeed most humans only thinks about their own progress in there. EDITED 5) Guns and equipment are less annoying to update, because the attachments are now a skill reward. It isn't like before where every little thing forced us to constantly change sets off and on the guns. Need to keep it up of course, but it is more fluidic now. 6) There is this phenomenal sound effects, combat animations between AIs and overrall city atmosphere that makes it a very attractive boots-on-the-ground. It is good and was obviously cured with care by devs. I'm glad to see the quality from the first game evolved from that. EDITED 7) Music is trying to hit the industrial metal but it still hits these 80s synths, it also theme the faction you're fighting, personally I like against The Outcasts, it hits good. I still prefer TD1 since it had more emotional intelligence but TD2 is more pumped. It matches the frenzy they're trying with this version though. 8) I think I oughta say it is a very addictive game, if you liked it, so be responsible. This was a public service announcement. EDITED 7) The world hasn't ended but artwork is truly vibrating like Fallout or something, derailng to brutal animalistic. Good thing your actions can prevent further collapse by liberating Control Points, donating resources to settlements (like Fallout 4 did) and such projects. 9) TD1 managed to make microtransactions exclusive for cosmetic items only called "vanity" items, and so far TD2 seems to follow the premisse. Seems to vary more, you can even wear masks even outside the contamination zones. [b]But....[/b] I need to say that the "surprise mechanics" (by EA) found its way through box cycling, like before. You can either buy full suits too, or modular parts, but I don't understand the purpose. They give us the option to overly decorate an agent that, to begin with, are very ugly. Perhaps the model is intentionally ugly? One funny weird thing is, at the first, the story preaches how IMPORTANT it is for agents to go to D.C. - only to arrive there and the comm chat says "we need to go to NY!" It was so stupid I laughed hard. It is a DLC you need to buy to embark. 10) Well animated everything actually. Cover works much better and fludic, lots of TD1 mistakes were corrected on that. Still got some old problems, some places don't like you to take cover. [h1]Some cons[/h1] 1) Photo mode sucks. Ubisoft frills won't let you hyperlink artwork directly to the game from Steam deck. Screens tries to avoid Steam's sharing with the interface. EDITED 2) No, females don't need to look like Victoria's models. I couldn't stop laughing while scrolling faces in the character creation because they seem particularly hideous, some where Smeagol-like or a halfling goblins. It took me a lot of job to make someone looking normal. Another devolved feature. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2977787483 Why NPCs get to be normal or even prettier than player's is suspicious at best. 3) This mute character thing is a bad idea for Online games, it makes the story even worse. Games like Warframe fixes player individuality by swapping the leader. The point-of-view of each player assumes him or herself as the one that is voiced, so the other players are mute - now that's a very smart idea from Warframe. But Rockstar and Ubisoft still "fixes" it by making the character mute. 4) The interface works strangely. At first it is intrusive and can be VERY confusing to make sense. It is information overload too. Most of the time you will be just doing missions randomly until you realize you need to find weird placed or NPCs to properly plan them. 5) Still not enough less repetitive weapons but they surely learned with D1, we can finally have snipers for example. There is late crossbows and even grenade launcher, not available at once but it exists. CORRECTION 6) I was wrong about TD2 factions because they take too long to show each gang's personalities. TD1 had these Alt-Right ultranationalist army, you had pyromaniac gangs, each one with its themes. TD2 is similar, but the difference for me are the Outcasts, the presentation is great. Its Midsommar lunacy but with guns. https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2979159606 [h1]Final Score: 9.0/10[/h1] If you liked this review, [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/27184480/]please join my curator page[/url] for more! Overral, as much as I like TD1 style's better, I must admit TD2 truly got what it takes to be enjoyable on its own. Major problems in my opnion remains to weak story arc and some other design flaws I disagree with. Despise being <--> lighter than before, it makes things agile enough for good exploring and shooting sessions and memorable momments with friends.