The Similarities
Before looking at how much The Division stands out, it’s only right to point out the similarities between this game and Destiny. They are difficult to miss, but this isn’t necessarily a bad thing. There are but so many genres and gameplay types to choose from for a huge blockbuster game with multiplayer capabilities.
The Division definitely has Destiny’s shared world feel. As you play, you will see other players moving about on your map, and you can even cross paths with them to either assist or interrupt. The game can be played single player, but it’s designed with a party in mind.
Much the same, Destiny’s missions can be completed by a single player or by a collected group, with more difficult challenges requiring a fireteam. The choice to push players towards a ‘team against the world’ feeling is something that holds true in The Division as well.
Both games also eschew the typical MMO fair for something more restrained. You get the general feel of an MMO, with recharging attacks, fetch quests, quest-giving NPCs, and other players, but at a much smaller scale. Destiny’s worlds could hold 16 players per session, with load zones separating certain areas to allow more variety to the playlist. The Division also maintains a populated world with NPCs and a modest number of players working either together or completely independent of one another.
The games are pretty similar from a genre standpoint, but the parallels stop there. Despite both being multiplayer, team-based shooters, they are two very different beasts.
