6) The Devil’s In The Details
The visual appeal is one thing, but what’s style really worth without any substance? It’s true that The Division looks to be doing a superb job of recreating the look of a near-abandoned New York, but it takes more than just a pretty canvas to turn a setting like this into a real work of art.
Fortunately, then, just as much effort seems to have been put into capturing the atmosphere of such a desperate place. This version of New York really feels like it’s clinging to life as you make your way through its streets. Trudging past the hunched shoulders of a broken man as he weeps over a snow-dusted corpse is a pretty affecting sight, video game or not. And when the same man catches sight of you – armed to the teeth – and begs for you to spare his life, then you truly feel like you’re passing through a city in despair.
From the unpredictable movements of a stray dog to the way a plague of rats weaves and turns away from your footsteps, almost everything in The Division reacts to the actions of the player. Civilians may cheer your progress one moment, but turn the sights of your rifle on a stray dog and you may quickly find you’re not so welcome in certain areas after all…