The Division - Angry Joe Gameplay Impressions

[MikeGER]

I could imagine (as with all mp games) that playing this with a bunch of pals would be great. I actually don't know how you would do that because obviously in SP there are no other players...perhaps telling your mates what DZ you are heading into?

if i understood the Angry Joe video correct: its an MMO: you spawn in the AI enemies only zone and people from your friend list can be seen in the zoomed out overlay map when they are on-line,  and if you put the mouse over you can invite them to a ragtag group. In-game (3D view) you have the 'game character' names only not the nick names chosen by the player

i am on the fence and like the NYC setting
but turned off by the usual concealment = cover simplification and the 50 rounds 9mm Luger bullets through an MP5 barrel you have to shoot someone (virus infected pain-immunity and strength or not) in the face from 3m distance to drop him...   

IIRC in COD4 ? there was a 'hardcore' mode setting for maps, which was a good compromise between the close to reality ARMA one-shot-kill from a single pixel size enemy you don't even see on your 27"-screen, and the pure comic-style of FPS-fun-shooters 

[JudgeDredd]

I thought the requirement for a full mag to take someone out was going to bother me - in actuality, it doesn't. I thought seeing the numbers fly out the enemies bodies was going to bother me. In actuality, it doesn't.

Same for the hovering GPS line, the highlights for pick ups etc, etc, etc.

Things is, whilst I thought they were going to bother me, they haven't...meaning (I guess) the game has entertained me enough to make them not bother me.

[Jarhead0331]

It's actually quite unique...it's an RPG that feels like a third person cover based shooter. If you think RPG, the hits and numbers aren't troubling at all.

So far, I quite like it. Only problem is that Hitman beta started last night too.

[JudgeDredd]

Well, it didn't take long to find the dark side of the Dark Zone.

Pickup loot and you can't take it out the DZ as it's contaminated so you have to extract it. As soon as you call the extraction helo, the place seems to be swarming with Rogue Agents to steal your loot

I'm not really into doing that to anyone (pixelated or rl  :) ), I also don't really like that play style so will likely seldom venture into the DZ in future. I just don't like the idea of running around doing "ma thing" (even helping others) and some twat(s) mugging me.

[JudgeDredd]

Actually - as that was my first foray into the DZ it was all going well until I wanted to get out, then realised I had to use the extraction. That's when I saw a shed load of rogue agents.

Like I said - it was my first time and it was a bad example. I've since been back to the DZ and used the extraction point several times and with "like minded" people there, we were able to hold off the bad guys (who were not rogue agents this time).

So - it's not all bad in the DZ. I just think it's shite that players can steal your loot when you've worked worked hard for it. Fair play if you die at the hands of the AI and another player comes and picks it up

[Skoop]

I played the beta for several hours yesterday, it was pretty enjoyable.  Enough to seriously think about getting the full game.  Some notes to add to what judge has already added: 

You can coop the main missions with a 4 player group.  The map has a match maker feature that will look for players to play the mission.  It takes a few minutes, but it was well worth it for doing the mission on hard difficulty.  When your done you can stay with the same group and move around in the game world if you want .  This will be a blast in the full release as some of the missions are tough on hard setting.

You can turn off the damage numbers, I did, in the game settings.  I turned my mouse aim down to 10%, and my accuracy is dead on. 

The dark zone can be frustrating at times when you lone wolf.  It adds to the appeal in a sense.  It was nice to see the majority of players be cool and not try to jack you, some even revive you.

If you come across a group of rogue players and your solo, don't take them on, evade.

The comms are proximity based so if you come close to a player it helps to state your intensions. 

[JudgeDredd]

You can coop the main missions with a 4 player group.  The map has a match maker feature that will look for players to play the mission.  It takes a few minutes, but it was well worth it for doing the mission on hard difficulty.  When your done you can stay with the same group and move around in the game world if you want .  This will be a blast in the full release as some of the missions are tough on hard setting.

Is that in single player? Are the other players AI?

The dark zone can be frustrating at times when you lone wolf.  It adds to the appeal in a sense.  It was nice to see the majority of players be cool and not try to jack you, some even revive you.

If you come across a group of rogue players and your solo, don't take them on, evade.

After some more time in the DZ, that was my experience. I can imagine a lot more rogue players showing up though...the temptation to mug other people will be too much for some players

The comms are proximity based so if you come close to a player it helps to state your intensions.

I haven't comm'd with anyone yet. I have helped revive a couple of people - that was satisfying (and I have been revived too).

I can pretty much see me getting this game. Maybe even on release (as the 8th is my birthday). I've not had this much fun since The Witcher III.

[Skoop]

You can coop the main missions with a 4 player group.  The map has a match maker feature that will look for players to play the mission.  It takes a few minutes, but it was well worth it for doing the mission on hard difficulty.  When your done you can stay with the same group and move around in the game world if you want .  This will be a blast in the full release as some of the missions are tough on hard setting.

Is that in single player? Are the other players AI?

Yes, this in SP.  So far it's only for the main story missions, the beta only has 2 of them.  If you look on the map, click on one of the 2 story missions, there's a choice at the top left for matchmaking.  This will find other players to do the mission with, it looks like it could be up to 4 players.  It auto assigns the players into a group, when the mission is over the group remains...so I wonder if you could pretty much coop the whole SP portion of the game...I'll have to explore this more.

[JudgeDredd]

Ah. ok...thanks. I've only done one of the main missions.

I am a bit of a lone wolf I have to say

[MikeGER]

After some more time in the DZ, that was my experience. I can imagine a lot more rogue players showing up though...the temptation to mug other people will be too much for some players

if i analysed the setup in the video correctly, it will be the perfect griefer game
Especially if two work as a pair, ...one guy goes rogue to the max at the chopper extraction point or just in-game, and collect a high bounty on his head, 'enjoying' his grief spreading for the others players, then his friend who just had followed him closely drops him, collect the high bounty (don't know about the grabed loot collection so) ...and when his friend has respawned clean (after 3 minutes max? ) they switch the roles.  ...griefing and mining the bounty alternately

[Skoop]

I don't think farming with bounties will work, every time you die in the dark zone you loose xp.  This is no big deal early on, but once your at level 12 you can loose an hours worth of work in xp if you die in the dark zone.  I'm assuming this is a deterant for people to just play recklessly. 

[W8taminute]

Concerned a little about the skulduggery in MP but still interested enough to give this a whirl.  SP sounds like good clean fun though.

[Arctic Blast]

Well, I think I'm on board with this one. Messed around a bit in the Dark Zone after doing everything there was in the SP beta demo. Really enjoyed pretty much everything.

[Skoop]

Same here, I almost feel like I played the beta so much I could almost not even get the game.  Suppose to be a ton of more stuff in the final release though.

[bayonetbrant]

our impressions go up tomorrow :)