The Division’s Beta Wasn’t Much Like Destiny at All

The Worry

The Division’s closed beta is coming to an end, and it was pretty impressive. The scope of the RPG elements, the beauty of its open world, and the challenge of its many enemies showed that The Division is becoming something special. Of course, leading up to this beta there were those who expected some of these things because the game is basically a real world Destiny.

This definitely lead to a bit of worry from gamers looking for something new. While Destiny did end up being a solid game, it was plagued with a lot of issues on both the technical and the content side.

Many were worried about the game not being able to hold up, especially with the transitions between PvE and PvP having virtually no loading screens. A huge open world with multiple players isn’t the easiest thing in the world to pull off. Server issues are a constant threat to new IP stepping online.

There is also the likelihood that the initial offerings could run dry rather quickly. Destiny was a relatively short game with an endgame that relied on repetition. With the real world nature of The Division, prospective fans are hoping that there will be enough content to keep them invested.

The loot system in Destiny also was a cause for worry going into a new game with a similar frame. It padded the game since not all gear was created equal. With that in mind it has become difficult to look at another game that could potentially go down the same road.

Despite these hesitations, after quite a bit of hands on time it’s clear to see that The Division is very much a title of its own, a game that carves out its very own niche in the grand scheme of gaming, even if it does borrow a few things from other titles.

Of course, it may be hard to see the differences, so here’s the breakdown after having spent time with the closed beta. 

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. 

The Differences

While The Division definitely exists in the same realm as Destiny, it is a wholly unique experience. From the very beginning it is clear that this is an RPG, one with a lot of depth. Yes you’re shooting everything, but the gear management, weapon modding, skill selection, and different branches of character progression provide a lot of options to The Division. It’s more than just choosing the best subclass, in part because classes don’t exactly exist here.

Sure, if you really wanted to, you could build standard tank, a DPS master, or a field medic archetypes, but the intricacy provided through The Division’s leveling system allows you to be literally anything. You will have three branches of skills to choose from as you progress, but to provide even more control, you can mod these skills as you upgrade their respective branches at your home base.

Think of it as Diablo III’s rune system for all of your abilities. You may start with a simple sonar, but upgrade the medical wing and now it masks your teams location, or you can provide a damage boost against all revealed enemies. Little touches like this allow you to fine tune your build, and your weapons become an extension of that specialization in their own.

Destiny had a lot of weapons, sure, but you had no real control of their capabilities. Modifications were predetermined, and many players ended up using the same popular guns. In The Division, weapons are an extension of you. Your ability to add mods to a varying number of slots (depending on the weapon) allows you to build your perfect arsenal. There is no specific weapon to grind for. Instead, you can make everything work as you’d like.

Another major difference is the world itself. You’re actually a part of it, and it feels alive. You will spend your time upgrading your base to better assist survivors, and in turn you will draw attention from enemy factions. There’s no just hopping into a planet that doesn’t remember anything you’ve done in it. You’re in New York City, you are fighting to return it to order, and its residents will make note of that for better or for worse.

That evolving world feels even more unique once you step into the Dark Zone. This is the PvP section of The Division, but works nothing like other features of its nature. In this area, you have to rely on your instincts and skills. Any player here can be either a friend or the reason you die.

The tension present in the Dark Zone is palpable, as most individuals are working towards the same goal: get some sweet loot and get out. With lurking predators both AI and human-controlled, it is an experience unlike anything in Destiny. With the abundance of different skill combinations and weapon loadouts, and no defined teams necessarily, it is serious fun and a nice break from the story and sidequests.

The Division does many different things within its virtual confines, and they all melt together to give it a very unique voice. 

Do The Division’s Differences Matter?

Most games are different, and that’s not a bad thing. But different for the sake of being different can often lead to games that feel empty or lackluster. Games must do more than add one little mechanic to a preexisting formula in an attempt to be “new.” In the case of The Division, Ubisoft’s work makes a world of difference and definitely makes this game one to keep your eyes on.

If Destiny is about making each of your guardians legend, The Division is about becoming part of its world. The RPG-like depth is more than enough to be memorable, but the game as a whole is more concerned with making you feel as if you’re a part of something. All of its differences feed into that notion, and it allows The Division to be more than just a game to play until Destiny picks back up again.

The Division avoids going the clone route while still borrowing what worked well. It takes the solid foundation and builds its own experience that looks to stand out against all of the other huge offerings this year.

Did you get a chance to check out The Division’s beta? What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.

More The Division

• 5 Ways The Division Succeeds Where Destiny First Failed
• Watch 30 Minutes of The Division Beta Gameplay
• Here’s Why You Went Rogue in The Division’s Dark Zone
• The Division Is Getting Free Content All Year, Season Pass Unlocks 3 Expansions