IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MY SUMMARIZED OPINION, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM:

During the first closed beta, I got to try the game and explore the map to see how the mechanics work and feel. Yesterday, I got to play the game with a few friends and I got my first taste at what The Division's potential really is.

Me and my friend ran through the two exciting but short missions that are available in the open beta and we enjoyed the intense short to mid range combat that occurred in these encounters. The maps and levels really encourage tactical teamwork with multiple players. The missions also play well in single player but the mission doesn't lower the enemy count if you go solo. This can greatly discourage players due to the difficulty, but the game truly shows what an MMO can achieve in cooperative missions.

One of the games most notable game modes is the Darkzone. This is a multiplayer PvE/PvP game mode where you can chose to work together or betray fellow agents. This game mode will consume most of your time on the division beta. I promise you that this game mode will be both stressful and frustrating. when you are constantly surrounded by unstable agents, more powerful AI, and a snowstorm, this mix can cause a lot of people to get angry and quit because of the difficulty. Something you need to know: this game has a larger learning curve than other shooters. For example, Headshots will do more damage than body shots, but to make the most of each shot, activating pulse will increase your chance for a critical hit which will put a damage multiplier of 1.5 for that shot.

Going into the dark zone with a teammate is almost necessary if you want to be successful more than 50% of the time. Me and my friend equipped weaponry and skills that worked with each other (Me: pump shotgun, Assault rifle, pulse, health grenade) (Him: DMR, Assault rifle, sticky bomb, pulse) to make our encounters more efficient and effective. Other agents would equip 2 shotguns or 2 LMG's and this made their area of effectiveness limited. Use this list to tell what weapons you should use:

Sniper: You like to stay out of range and take off unsuspecting enemies' heads. (DMR, SMG, Pulse, Health)

Assault: You like to be up close and personal with the enemy and prefer quantity over quality when it comes to bullets. (AR, Shotgun, Pulse / Placeable turret, Health)

Support: You lay down suppressive fire for teammate and when it comes to bosses, you hit the hardest. (LMG, AR, Pulse, Riot shield)

Medic: You support the team and keep them Alive while helping them at a distance. (DMR - short scope is suggested, SMG / Shotgun, Health, Pulse)

These are just some ideas for starting load outs, but you can modify them to your liking.

In short, the game is great with great customization. The game isn't perfect, but it shows lots of promise and seems to show some light at the end of the tunnel for Ubisoft.