Tom Clancy’s The Division 2: Echoes of Central Park finally lets you explore an area that’s previously been off-limits

You know your game has been a hit with fans when, seven years after launch, you’re still releasing expansions for it. That’s the case with Ubisoft’s Tom Clancy’s The Division 2, which is set to receive a new Echoes of Central Park expansion this November.

The third expansion for The Division 2, Echoes of Central Park will finally let players explore an area that has previously been off-limits for them, and also one that has been the source of much speculation. Just what happens in there? You’ll finally be able to find out, and the expansion offers more areas to explore and battle across, too, with the city’s Upper West Side also included.

Being an area that’s been the source of many rumours and stories, Echoes of Central Park is presented as a dark mystery, with Ubisoft taking a chance on offering something a bit different. And so, its story is told as a flashback, with a narrator guiding you through it. But that presents the question: can you trust what you’re being told?

In any case, upon detecting a distress signal from the park, you’re dispatched to investigate it and extract a high-value target. When you get there, though, you find that the forces occupying the park are like nothing you’ve encountered before, making achieving your goal much more troublesome. Needless to say, you’re going to need all the help you can get.

When it comes to the gameplay, this is more The Division 2, which can only be a good thing. And while the game is seven years old now, it still impresses. The cover shooter action is fluid and crunchy, and enemy AI really makes you work for your wins. The Echoes of Central Park expansion gives you new abilities and gear to work with, too, making things feel a little fresh.

Another thing that puts a spin on the gameplay of The Division 2: Echoes of Central Park is the addition of three unique companions, each willing to fight beside you once you’ve helped them overcome their fears. There’s Brayleigh Callahan, a sniper who’s also an Olympic medalist, Elwood Franklin, a Protecter who was once a mall cop, and Morse Feeney, an Assault who’s a former Division agent.

Each of these companions have their own strengths and weaknesses to consider, and they’ll also share stories with you as you work with them. Suffice to say, they’ll prove invaluable as you confront powerful adversaries, with Echoes of Central Park not only providing a new story to play through, but also a new endgame experience once it’s done, as well as world events and more.

Playable solo or in co-op, The Division 2: Echoes of Central Park has been designed with both veteran players and newcomers alike, with the option to boost to level 40 and jump straight into it if you like. But if you’ve not played The Division 2 before, you’d be better off playing the main campaign first and familiarising yourself with the game. Even if only for the fact that we think it’s great.

The Division 2: Echoes of Central Park launches 3rd November on PS4, Xbox One and PC.