Could not find a thread for this game. I'm probably pulling the trigger on it today and wanted some feedback from players. It looks like a lot of fun and the aggression based matchmaking seems to be working based on things I've watched/read. If you're playing, do you prefer playing solo or teaming up? All those videos of random friendly encounters and people helping each other out are pretty cool to see. Also, the "rats" being ganged up on, lol.

Also, as cheap as the game is, is there a big pay to win aspect or or is it mostly cosmetic stuff?

I have been playing it.
For such a repetitive game, it really is addictive.
I much prefer solo play because I feel like team lobbies are much more PVP oriented. But there are certain items you end up needing to aquire that you eventually will probably want to team up for at least to try and get those.
It is rare that I get attacked and killed by another player in solo matches, but it is incredibly annoying when it does happen. Especially since there are assholes that kill you 2 minutes in when you have no fucking loot on you to be killed for. People just want to be fucking dicks I guess.
I don't think I have ever come out on top when attached by another player, the combat for PVP is janky to me.

So, you mentioned items you need, does the game have required missions/levels? This is where I am a little confused. Is there a structure beyond "go get stuff, make it back and sell it"?

I wouldn't say anything is required.
So there are what is called Expeditions for instance, which is basically a character wipe that you can agree to at the end of a season. You give up everything, all your items, weapons, blueprints etc that you have collected along the way, but in return you get some perks for your reset character like extra stash space (which does come in handy) and extra skill points.
In order to qualify for the expedition there are like 5 stages to complete which all involve donating a certain amount of specific items/resources. Most of these are fairly easy to come by and accumulate, but there will be certain ones like Bastion Cells for instance that you have to kill those specific Arcs that aren't easy to solo.
Same thing applies to upgrading your benches that you use to craft items.

Also in regards to you pay to win question, none that I can think of.

I feel like I would like this as I absolutely love the Division games (even though the first one is too tough), but I can't stand when they release games like this on digital only. I've heard it's also geared towards single players as well which I like.

Well, it's been great so far. At the price point of $40 (I got it for $32 on PC during their sale) it's totally worth it.

It's kind of funny just running into someone in this game and having a quick chat and then going about your business. It's also cool to randomly join in a big battle against the larger ARC mechs and then the tension of waiting for your ride out of the area hoping someone isn't going to take you out at the last second. I had a guy ask my if he could shoot me a couple of times for some in-game quest, lol. I also like that they've seem to be aware of the kind of matches people want to play and have sort of segregated friendly players from the more aggressive players who think they are still playing Modern Warfare, lol. They've got a 10-year plan for it as well.

Damn, that's awesome, I'll have to get it sometime soon. Yes, the price tag is no that bad either. Thanks for the info.

I have one of the Division games (#2 I think) and have been meaning to try it. I don't have #1, though, and I don't have Game Pass anymore, so I haven't jumped in.

I think you will like them, rememebe though, they're "looter shooters" so the gameplay is repetitive. The first Division's graphics still hold up today, the game looks amazing...something about running through the abdandon snowy streets of New York, the main safe house where people take shelter, the other safe houses throughout, the gunplay, customization, etc..

The 2nd divishon game is amazing to playw with people online, just run up to match area, enter it and when it starts, it's your vs the CPU, but you'll be amazed how you work together without even speaking to each other and the amount not chaos going on during a battle is outstanding. You'll get pinned down and you'll just be looking at your specisl weapons waiting to charge and once it fills, you go crazy. lol I love it. It just a fun, pick up and play game and they made it more accessible and easy then the first.

i bought it. haven't played it yet, but i got it. looks good.

It seems Rowan from Viva La Dirt League is playing.

I had to look up "looter shooter," and I think the only one I may have played was the first Borderlands way back on 360. I do like pick up and play stuff, though, and action games.

This is both simultaneously one of the most fun games I've played yet absolutely maddening. It sucks to have a really Kick-Ass run and then get mauled by somebody at the end and all your stuff taken from you. It is super addictive and my friend and I have been having a blast. Just running around doing stuff.

Yeah, I fear the bloodthirsty rando more than anything. But, my experience so far has been great. I did two raids this morning. First one I hooked up with a random player to scavenge around and he ended up giving me some nice gear that I did not have, he even defibbed me after a questionable jump off a building, lol. Then I ended up my second game being a "hero" for calling an extraction elevator while some guys were pinned by ARC and we all ended up making it out. It's the randomness of encounters that has me really liking this game. I have to say, the sound design for this game is fantastic. Inside some of those more metallic buildings every creak and clank has you on edge, or in the forest areas the creaking of the trees can trick you into hearing things.

I can't get into this game. I'm geared towards battle royal type shooters. I find it slow and boring, oddly enough, especially when compared to a game I "no life" like PUBG. Plus there's too much shit to do and remember.

I felt bad though in one match. When playing in a team with a couple of friends, we managed to ascend a tower, got to the top and no more than 20 seconds later, I hear someone coming up the zipline and I immediately turn and fire, killing the raider. Had to apologize that I'd just been playing Fortnite and that was my first instinct.

I do laugh though when friends bitch about another raider that camps hatches or helps out only to turn around and kill them.

Just play the way you want and you'll eventually get matched with like-minded players. From what I gather it only takes a few games before you get placed with more or less aggressive players. I've been killed by another player only once so far, but I don't play this game like I do Warzone or Redsec.

FYI...might want to hold off if you have D1. There's a lot of talk and rumors flying around that a possible...The Division Definitive Edition...with new upgraded graphics, mechanics, add-ons, modes, etc...is coming with the 10Year Anniversary coming up. Many who have played both still say D1 was the best. If this is so, I'd be willing to grab and literally start over from scratch....