Tom Clancy’s The Division: Underground Reviews

Ubisoft and Massive have debuted the first expansion pack for their popular shooter/RPG, Tom Clancy’s The Division, and that release has been met with an initial wave of relatively favorable reviews, with one exception.

GameSpot gives it a 7/10:

But those who do pick up Underground will also find a new way to play. The core mechanics and bullet sponge enemies haven’t changed, but the option to engage in short bursts of customizable, cooperative gameplay provides a hugely welcome alternative to simply replaying story missions or struggling through the Dark Zone. The unnecessary leveling system might slow the fun and solo players may suffer, but even Agents diving back in after months away can now enjoy new gameplay variations and the pick-up-and-play nature of Underground’s 15- to 20-minute operations. Assuming they haven’t burned out entirely, that is.

Forbes doesn’t score it:

If you own The Division and at any point, have had fun with the endgame so far, I would absolutely pick up Underground. If you haven’t played at all since you hit 30 and the endgame at the time was terrible, at least play the base game again and try out a lot of the free updates they’ve added. If you like that, then maybe consider the $15 for Underground. If you’re just plain not a fan, or you’ve lost interest entirely, I won’t try to argue that this DLC is going to change your mind.

Gaming Boulevard gives it an 8.5/10:

Underground is more than just a DLC pack, it’s a true expansion and even demonstrates the true potential of the game. The world is well crafted and filled with details. The metro stations and tunnels all look insanely realistic and feature a certain atmosphere so you simply can’t resist moving forward. The gameplay hasn’t been innovated that much but thanks to the Directives and better weapons/gear, we know fans will have a blast playing it. The Division wasn’t perfect from the start but this first big expansion breathes new life into the game and is worth checking out.

OK Games gives it a 7/10:

It’s important to note that this expansion is PVE based. It has added a lot of new challenges to work towards with friends, and I’m excited to see how far we can push our ability and gear. Exploring the Manhattan Subway is compelling, made even more so by the level of difficulty you can adjust it to have. For $20, The Division’s Underground Expansion offers a neat package with many enjoyable hours to experience with your mates. However, if you’re expecting it to renew your interest in the Dark Zone, don’t. The area is still completely unbalanced, and is perpetually plagued by the issues I explained in a previous article. Indeed, if you’re a solo player, or not looking to tackle the more challenging aspects of the Underground, it probably isn’t worth it. Exploration is locked into specific group Operations, and the story is almost non-existent.

GameReactor gives it a 6/10:

They’ve prioritised the wrong things, in our humble opinion. Underground may be perfect for the lone player that has grown weary of the shenanigans of others in the Dark Zone, those who want to sit down and grind away in peace. It may also be well suited for groups of players that yearn for new loot and fresh challenges to overcome. But for those among us who loved the Christmas decorated streets of New York and want answers to questions left hanging at the end of The Division, Underground hasn’t got much to offer. It was good to be back, but our latest visit to New York wasn’t long-lived.

High-Def Digest gives it a 2.5/5:

Perhaps season passes have jaded me after all these years, but this is exactly the kind of filler DLC that pads out most season passes. It doesn’t change much, doesn’t add much, doesn’t take any risks. There is a familiar fun in the arcade sensibilities of the Directives, but the novelty doesn’t last very long. ‘The Underground’ is worth trying out if you’ve committed to a pass, but certainly not worth buying on its own.

And Stevivor gives it a 7.5/10:

In the end, “Underground” provides a dramatic new way to level up inside The Division‘s meta. People who want to lone wolf the DLC will need to have a very high level gear score before jumping in — which is hard without the DLC itself. Those who love — or loved — the Dark Zone will find it even more empty than usual. Alternatively, those who loathed the Dark Zone have a new way to upskill their character. All things considered, “Underground” is a true evolution of the MMO, provided those who had a passing interest in it can be bothered jumping back in.