Tom Clancy's The Division

Post-pandemic New York City is a terrifying vision, but it's not one that you’ll likely want to leave for some time.

74%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, stability

88% User Score Based on 180,628 reviews

Critic Score 76%Based on 44 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $9.10

Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store

Buy NowGet on Epic Games Store

Buy NowGet on PS Store$29.99

About

"The Division" is a third-person shooter set in a near-future New York City hit by a deadly pandemic on Black Friday. As a player, you become an agent of the Division, a secret group of tactical agents tasked to save society amidst chaos and restore order. With a mix of shooting, exploring, and looting, the game challenges you to make strategic decisions and survive in a city on the brink of collapse.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 61,022 reviews

story4.7k positive mentions

grinding3.8k negative mentions

The game's atmosphere is immersive and effectively captures a post-apocalyptic New York City, enhanced by stunning graphics and dynamic weather effects.
The cover-based shooting mechanics are smooth and satisfying, with RPG elements that add depth to character customization and progression.
The game offers extensive content and replayability, with various missions and difficulty levels that encourage cooperative gameplay.

The story is often criticized for being basic and repetitive, lacking depth in character development and plot progression.
Gameplay can feel tedious due to repetitive missions and 'bullet sponge' enemies, leading to a grindy experience, especially in the late game.
The game suffers from numerous bugs and performance issues, with many players reporting crashes and glitches that detract from the overall experience.

story
21,255 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
70%
8%
The story of "Tom Clancy's The Division" is set against a backdrop of a pandemic that devastates New York City, leading players to take on the role of agents tasked with restoring order. While the main narrative is engaging, many players find it somewhat basic and repetitive, often feeling like a series of missions rather than a cohesive story. The game features a variety of side missions and collectibles that add depth to the lore, but the overall execution leaves some players wanting more in terms of character development and plot progression.
- “The story made me fall in love with the universe, and the cinematics, chef's kiss.”
- “The division's story is compelling, with a strong narrative that pulls you into its world.”
- “The storyline unfolds through engaging missions, captivating cutscenes, and environmental storytelling that immerse you in the desperate struggle for survival in a world on the brink of collapse.”
- “The story, lore, directing, characters, dialogues, and mission design... well, these aspects apparently were not in the focus of Ubisoft.”
- “While the premise is captivating, the story itself feels lacking and struggles to maintain engagement.”
- “The story is mediocre, which is disappointing since they sacrificed gameplay to focus on multiplayer aspects, so at the very least they can give players a strong story.”
gameplay
8,271 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
54%
8%
The gameplay of "Tom Clancy's The Division" has received mixed reviews, with players praising its cover-based shooting mechanics and immersive atmosphere, but criticizing the repetitive nature of missions and the "bullet sponge" enemies that require excessive firepower to defeat. While many enjoy the tactical gameplay and RPG elements, others find the grind for loot and the lack of variety in enemy encounters to be tedious. Overall, the game offers solid mechanics and engaging cooperative play, but its repetitiveness and some gameplay design choices have left a significant portion of the player base feeling disappointed.
- “The gameplay is smooth and is ahead of its time if you look at the perspective of when this game was released.”
- “The cover-based shooting mechanics are smooth and satisfying, and the RPG elements add depth to character customization and progression.”
- “The gameplay, the environment, the 'vibes' makes this game great.”
- “Gameplay is simple; just as I said, it is perfect to thoughtlessly shoot your way through waves of regular enemies and the most lazily developed bosses in the game industry (just regular enemies with a lot of hp).”
- “The gameplay is starting to show its age, controls can get a bit wonky on mouse & keyboard.”
- “The gameplay is straight up repetitive, all enemies are ridiculously bullet sponges and overall it's really boring to play.”
graphics
6,631 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
36%
4%
The graphics of "The Division" have received mixed reviews, with many players praising the stunning visuals and detailed environments that effectively capture a post-apocalyptic New York City. While some users noted a significant downgrade from the initial E3 trailers, the game still holds up well visually, especially on high-end systems, and is often described as one of the best-looking games in its genre. However, issues such as graphical glitches and performance problems have been reported, particularly on lower-end hardware, which detracts from the overall experience for some players.
- “The graphics are stunning—New York has never looked better, even when it’s in shambles.”
- “The graphics are great, smooth gameplay, nice questing lines but it does get repetitive when it comes to side missions.”
- “The graphics, physics, and gunplay are something else.”
- “The actual graphics look real bleh for how hard this thing rails on graphics cards.”
- “If you own this on PlayStation or Xbox don't bother double-buying, keyboard controls aren't fluid and the graphics aren't that good even on high settings.”
- “The graphics are certainly not up to date.”
grinding
3,882 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
99%
The grinding aspect of "The Division" has garnered mixed reviews from players. Many appreciate the extensive loot and gear progression, finding the grind enjoyable, especially when playing with friends. However, numerous players criticize the repetitive nature of missions and the tediousness of farming for gear, particularly in the late game, where it can feel like a chore rather than a rewarding experience. Overall, while the game offers a satisfying grind for those who enjoy loot-based gameplay, it may not appeal to players who prefer a more varied or story-driven experience.
- “But post 1.4 patch, I can assure you that this game is now well balanced, so much fun to play, and not that grindy compared to Borderlands 2 - a game that I enjoyed so much.”
- “It wasn't too grindy (previous to today's patch).”
- “The game isn't too grindy (compared to other RPGs).”
- “However the game does get very repetitive and grindy in the late game.”
- “The open-world map was vast, but it was mostly filled with copy-paste buildings and repetitive side missions that quickly became a tedious grind.”
- “The game is fun but there will be a point where the grinding gets repetitive and not many people are willing to do matchmaking so you could grind the incursions.”
stability
1,950 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
1%
94%
The stability of the game has been a significant point of contention among players, with many reporting a wide range of bugs and glitches that impact gameplay. While some users have experienced smooth performance with minimal issues, a substantial number have encountered frequent crashes, graphical glitches, and frustrating gameplay interruptions. Overall, the game is described as being in a "buggy" state, with many players expressing disappointment in the lack of timely fixes from the developers, particularly for game-breaking issues.
- “The game feels really smooth and nearly bug free from my experience.”
- “Progressing well throughout the story, no glitches, bugs, exploiters or anything broken in general at all.”
- “Game is well optimized, runs great, looks great, and has amazing audio on surround.”
- “You're gonna die as much to glitches as unbalanced gameplay because this game is buggier than day 1 Skyrim and it came out in 2016.”
- “The game is filled with bugs, glitches, and exploits that massive basically refuses to fix or take any generalized corrective action towards.”
- “The amount of glitches from day one have just fucking destroyed this game, along with the hacking and delta/mike errors.”
atmosphere
1,410 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
31%
2%
The atmosphere of "The Division" is widely praised for its immersive and detailed recreation of a post-apocalyptic New York City, particularly during the winter season. Players highlight the game's stunning graphics, dynamic weather effects, and the haunting ambiance that effectively conveys a sense of urgency and despair. While some critiques mention repetitive gameplay, the overall consensus is that the atmosphere is a standout feature that enhances the gaming experience, making exploration and engagement with the environment particularly rewarding.
- “There's really few games that capture the atmosphere of New York, and this game nails it.”
- “The atmosphere of this game is unmatched; you can't beat it!”
- “The nearly perfect atmosphere and world-building.”
- “The enemies are bullet sponges, the areas are lazily thrown together, and the atmosphere is completely thrown off by how absolutely, mind-numbingly, excruciatingly boring this world was.”
- “The atmosphere is not at all engulfing.”
- “I got excited when I first saw the trailer, I thought it was going to be the next famous game, but sadly it was the opposite... I want this game to be awesome, but I just don't feel it... everything is too much the same... it feels like there is not a point, because I don't have to save anyone or anything... this doesn't even feel like an apocalyptic game... the atmosphere is too calm and relaxed, I feel like an officer fighting crime, not a special agent fighting an apocalypse.”
optimization
1,224 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
43%
24%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance on high-end systems and noting smooth gameplay at high settings, while others report significant stuttering, crashes, and poor performance on lower-end PCs. Despite improvements through patches, many users still experience issues, particularly with frame drops and inconsistent performance, leading to a general consensus that while the game can run well on capable hardware, it remains poorly optimized for a broader range of systems.
- “The game is really well optimized.”
- “Amazing graphics and fully optimized.”
- “Very well optimized and very friendly community.”
- “Until there's proper game optimization, I don't recommend this game to anyone.”
- “The sequel isn't much better and suffers from a lot of performance, server, connectivity, and optimization issues making it pretty much unplayable for people who aren't rocking the latest and greatest PC hardware.”
- “The real reason why I gave this a bad review is because of how unoptimized the game is for me, already running it at low and still lags everywhere I go, it's so terrible when opening up gunfights.”
humor
732 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
1%
1%
The humor in "Tom Clancy's The Division" is a mixed bag, with players noting humorous dialogue and funny moments, particularly when playing with friends. While some find the game's attempts at humor endearing, others criticize the uneven quality of the writing and voice acting, leading to moments that are unintentionally funny. Overall, the game offers a blend of dark humor and comedic glitches, making it more enjoyable in a group setting despite its serious themes.
- “In conclusion, Tom Clancy's The Division is a roller coaster ride through a post-apocalyptic hellscape that'll have you laughing, crying, and questioning your life choices all at once.”
- “The dialogue is still funny.”
- “It's funny buying this in 2022 because you get swarmed with supply drops and the game sends you notifications for them for like 5 minutes but they are kinda useless past level 4-5 and if you did like me, got the free trial to level 8, none of it is useful, but hey it's infinite cheap crafting materials.”
- “They're supposed to be funny, I guess, but every time I finished a side quest to grind my level up for the next mission, I would wonder if the looters are looking for an extra member.”
- “It's not funny when you fail a single-player mission just because of a connection issue.”
- “I'm just about giving up; it's simply not funny anymore because of how hard it is to survive.”
music
452 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
55%
3%
The music in "The Division" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its atmospheric and immersive qualities, particularly the haunting electronic soundtrack composed by Ola Strandh, which enhances the game's wintery, post-apocalyptic setting. While some find the music to be a standout feature that complements the gameplay, others note that it can be sparse or forgettable at times, with moments of silence that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the soundtrack is generally regarded as high quality, effectively setting the mood, though opinions vary on its memorability and impact during gameplay.
- “Coupled with a soundtrack that complements the tense atmosphere, featuring haunting melodies and ambient sounds, the audio-visual presentation of The Division is nothing short of breathtaking.”
- “A gorgeous experience from the snow falling down onto decrepit streets to the beautifully somber electronic soundtrack composed by Ola Strandh.”
- “Fighting criminal gangs in a neon-lit Times Square as a blizzard rages and the 'Times Square' soundtrack plays is an incredible experience!”
- “The music was acceptable, even with listening to it recently nothing stood out.”
- “The soundtrack is forgettable.”
- “Music is a low point on this one, wish they had some awesome metal or something equally hardcore for the 'boss battles' and 'fire fights'.”
replayability
404 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
61%
9%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its extensive content, including various missions, difficulty levels, and cooperative gameplay that encourages repeated play. However, some users express frustration over a lack of meaningful endgame content and diminishing replay value after completing the main campaign. Overall, while there are numerous opportunities for replay, particularly with friends and through DLCs, opinions vary widely on its long-term appeal.
- “What truly sets The Division apart is its replayability.”
- “The sheer variety of options you have for specializing your equipment and skills means there's quite a bit of replayability built into the game, meaning the endgame is less about grinding to be able to get to the next content and more about completing content so you can min-max the next crazy/weird/op build that you've come up with.”
- “The game pretty much lasts as long as you want, with each plot mission being replayable in a variety of difficulties, and numerous add-on missions of severe difficulty requiring teaming up.”
- “It's a very good game, however I've only put 40 hours into it because it has *zero* replayability once you beat the main campaign.”
- “There's no replay value, let alone even wanting to finish it; it shits on you so much.”
- “You play the exact same missions over and over, which sucks; like, this game has no replay value.”
monetization
252 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
53%
44%
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn mixed reviews, with many players criticizing it as exploitative and a cash grab, particularly due to the presence of microtransactions, season passes, and DLCs that feel unnecessary. While some players appreciate that the microtransactions are primarily cosmetic and do not lock content behind a paywall, others express frustration over the high base price combined with additional costs for in-game purchases. Overall, the sentiment leans towards disappointment, with players feeling that the monetization undermines the gaming experience.
- “This game is not egregious with microtransactions; you aren't locked out of the game or out of cosmetics for not spending money.”
- “Free DLC, minimal microtransactions, and lots of secrets?”
- “They do have microtransactions, but it's all cosmetic stuff, so to me, it's fine.”
- “Finally, the game's microtransactions and pay-to-win elements were an obvious cash grab, leaving a sour taste in the mouth of players who were expecting a fair and balanced gaming experience.”
- “The developers are more interested in getting you to fashion up and make in-game purchases than in fixing the poor gameplay.”
- “This entire game is a very obvious cash grab by Ubisoft, that it took them over 4 years to make this game is a testament only to laziness and ineptitude.”
emotional
160 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
83%
18%
The emotional aspect of the game is polarizing, with some players finding it deeply affecting due to its dark themes and personal stories, while others criticize the narrative as underdeveloped and unengaging. Many players report moments of heartbreak and immersion through environmental storytelling, yet others feel disconnected from the characters and their struggles, leading to a lack of emotional investment. Overall, the game elicits a range of feelings, from sadness and empathy to boredom and frustration, depending on individual experiences and expectations.
- “The story is slow-paced, dark, and emotional, with those tiny bits of voice messages rubbing salt into the wounds.”
- “Had the most heartbreaking game of survival in which right before extraction the random I was with went down; we had no medkits. As I go to search the group we fought off... he died as I found a medkit.”
- “The city of Manhattan is littered with personal stories, each with their own defining quality of perseverance, a heart-wrenching story, some humor, dark tales, and others in quaint observation of the city at large.”
- “Extremely boring story and characters.”
- “Boring storyline, boring challenge modes, same old missions for 'daily activities'.”
- “Game has a boring storyline with little quest variety.”
character development
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
53%
22%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a lack of depth and engagement, particularly for NPCs and the main character, who often lacks dialogue. While some appreciate the character design and voice acting, others criticize the weak narrative and repetitive missions that hinder meaningful character progression. Overall, the game shows potential for character development but falls short of expectations, leaving players wanting more depth and storytelling.
- “Character development is addictive and good to see.”
- “This game is beautifully crafted, the mechanics are balanced, the voice acting is on point, the character design and personalized system to make your preferred character make it 10x better!”
- “I'm pretty early on in the game at this time (~8 hours), but there is some nice character development for not only the main character, but for those around him as well, as well as a lot of lore in terms of recordings both audio and visual.”
- “Faye Lau gets crippled for the entire game, which, mind you, is the only character development that occurs in this game entirely.”
- “There is little to no character development in this game.”
- “No story in sight... you create your own character that doesn't have dialogue, so there's no character development; the missions are repetitive (all you do is run around and kill some bad guys and activate some scanners or whatever).”

76%Critics’ scoreBased on 44 critic reviews

Buy Tom Clancy's The Division

40h Median play time

136h Average play time

10-128h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 830 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

This game contains adult content

79%15.6kreviews