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The Division 2 Review Roundup
The Division 2‘s release date has finally arrived. The game is available on store shelves around the world, meaning players are once again diving into Dark Zones and looting friends and enemies alike, except this time in the dramatic surroundings of Washington DC.
The question is, though, is this sequel any good? GameSpot’s Division 2 review-in-progress awarded the game a 9/10, with Edmond Tran stating he’s “still enamored with” the sequel after 30 hours of game time.
For more on the critical consensus on The Division 2, read on below. Alternatively, see a wider view on critics’ opinions on GameSpot sister site Metacritic.
GameSpot — 9/10 (Review-In-Progress)
“After spending 30 hours completing the campaign and beginning to dabble in the endgame, I’m still enamored with The Division 2. The range of enemy types continues to keep combat encounters challenging, the equipment I earn and pick up continues to feel different and valuable. The ravaged environments continue to intrigue, and sometimes they’re so stunning I find myself needing to take a screenshot before I move on. There is still so much to see in The Division 2, but I want to take the time to see it. I have absolutely no clue why I’m here or what anyone’s motivations are, and I wish I had a narrative purpose to my endless hunger for progression. But I’m glad to be here right now.” — Edmond Tran [Full review-in-progress]
Eurogamer — No Score
“From start to finish, The Division 2 pulls in … bits of American history with unwavering earnesty and yet manages to say absolutely nothing. Worse, it goes out of its way to say nothing. The result is that the only real message The Division 2 manages to impart is that guns will keep you safe. Despite the advertising campaign this is not a game about saving the soul of America, it’s a game about the good guys with guns taking what they want from the bad guys with guns. A shame, because if you can look past the vacuity and the slapdash politicisation of The Division 2, there’s a great game to be enjoyed here–even if you’ll never quite escape the sense that it’s a thunderingly dumb one.” — Johnny Chiodini [Full review]
VG247 — No Score
“I’m not always convinced games will improve all that much post-launch and I can only review what I’ve played, but Ubisoft has a good track record of making games far better than they are at launch with frequent updates. For now, I have to at least commend The Division 2 for getting the basics right. There’s a compelling endgame, there’s loot that actually matters, and missions don’t feel like they’re copy and pasted to bulk out the runtime. If some of the frustrations can be ironed out, it could be the best of its genre. But for the love of god, please let your writers say something if you ever make another one.” — Kirk McKeand [Full review]
The Telegraph — No Score (Review-In-Progress)
“Whether altruism is as essential as that fly new beanie hat will be up to you. The Division 2 is doing a solid job at both, currently performing a smart balancing act that could tip either way as the game progresses and keeping things interesting becomes more of a challenge. But so far, so good.” — Tom Hoggins [Full review-in-progress]
IGN — 8.0/10 (Review-In-Progress)
“The Division 2’s initial leveling progression has been a relatively joyful undertaking. It clears the low bar set for the genre with ease, but it’s still not an experience I’d subject myself to in a vacuum, without the promise of a deep and interesting endgame. In order to really succeed from here on out The Division 2 needs to show me that my time was well spent by providing me with the kind of unique, progression-based multiplayer PvE and PvP gameplay that I can only get in a shared-world shooter.” — James Duggan [Full review-in-progress]
from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-division-2-review-roundup/1100-6465632/
Top 10 UK Games Chart: Division 2 Is No.1 But Suffers Dramatic Fall Over Predecessor
The Division 2‘s recent release means the Tom Clancy shooter tops the UK physical games chart for the week ending March 16, according to sales monitor Chart-Track. However, Eurogamer reports the game’s launch week sales are just 20% of those achieved by the game’s predecessor, The Division.
There are mitigating factors: the first game launched on a Tuesday, rather than a Friday, so had more time in its first week to garner sales. In addition, more people buy digitally now than in 2016, and downloads are not counted by Chart-Track. Regardless, an 80% drop in launch week sales is significant.
The chart is otherwise largely made up of the usual suspects: Red Dead Redemption 2 continues its stay at No.2, while fellow Rockstar title Grand Theft Auto V rises to No.3. FIFA 19 and The Lego Movie 2 Video Game round out the top five at No.4 and No.5, respectively.
The only other new game in the chart this week is One Piece World Seeker, which enters at No.28. Last week’s No.1, Devil May Cry 5, drops to No.6 this week.
Despite hitherto lackluster physical sales, The Division 2 has enjoyed positive verdicts from critics. GameSpot’s Division 2 review-in-progress awarded the game a 9/10, with Edmond Tran stating he’s “still enamored with” the sequel after 30 hours of game time.
You can read the full top 10 sales chart for this week below, courtesy of UKIE and GfK Chart-Track. Note this table does not include digital sales data, and so should not be considered representative of all UK game sales.
- The Division 2
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- Grand Theft Auto V
- FIFA 19
- The Lego Movie 2 Video Game
- Devil May Cry 5
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Far Cry: New Dawn
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/top-10-uk-games-chart-division-2-is-no1-but-suffer/1100-6465631/
Microsoft Announces New Way To Play Halo Games Ahead Of Release
Microsoft has announced a brand-new testing program for the Halo series. The “Halo Inside Program,” as it’s called, is described by Microsoft as a “new way” for fans to work alongside developer 343 Industries to improve new releases by testing them before launch.
You can sign up right now, but be aware that doing so requires you to sign a confidentiality agreement. You’re then asked to take a survey with a series of questions related to your history with and interest in with the Halo franchise, including specific titles and modes. Later in the survey you’ll be asked to provide details that may get you into what 343 is calling “flighting” programs for upcoming Halo titles. These are pre-release testing periods in which 343 provides access to a subset of the community to gather feedback and data before rolling out publicly to everyone.
Join us on the journey to bring Halo: The Master Chief Collection to PC! The Halo Insider Program is the new way you can partner with us to help improve our games via feedback and hands-on public flighting. Learn more and sign up today! https://t.co/KDrRsbUMWA pic.twitter.com/a7yRdXRqds
— Halo (@Halo) March 17, 2019
This new Halo Insider Program will replace the MCC Insider Program that 343 used to test Halo: The Master Chief Collection’s numerous updates on Xbox One. Going forward, the Halo Insider Program will be the overarching program going forward to support all Halo titles, products, and services.” Even if you were already a member of the MCC Insider Program, you will need to re-register for the for Halo Insider Program.
You can improve your chances of being selected for a flight by ensuring your Halo Insider Program information is correct. For PC specifically, you’ll need to provide a DXDIAG upload and send over your SteamID.
“We know everyone is super eager and excited to get started but please be patient– tweeting at the team and posting in the forums asking to be included or demanding to know why you’re not included won’t help the process,” 343 said.
Even if you do get into the Halo Insider Program, you might not get selected for each flight. For example, on PC, 343 might want to test future Halo releases against specific hardware configurations, so not everyone may be needed.
“With MCC on PC specifically, the team is going to need to ensure they have specific representation across a broad matrix of PC hardware configurations,” 343 said.
Those who get into a flight will want to make sure they participate, as 343 might not invite you back if you don’t.
“Often flights require a critical mass of players online at a particular time, and maybe in a particular region, so your location and availability could also come into play. Once flighting is up and running, the team will likely also focus on active participants who play and provide feedback as candidates for ongoing flighting while players who don’t actually participate may find they’re not included in subsequent releases.”
You can read more about the Halo Insider Program here in this detailed FAQ.
The upcoming release of Halo: MCC on PC will happen in stages, with each title releasing individually, so it seems likely that 343 will test each game with Halo Insider members first before rolling each title out widely to everyone. Looking further out, Microsoft has already confirmed that Halo Infinite will be playable early through flighting, so it seems the Halo Insider Program is returning for that game as well.
from GameSpot – Game News https://www.gamespot.com/articles/microsoft-announces-new-way-to-play-halo-games-ahe/1100-6465627/
