Returning to a more narrative-focused structure, the new Battle for Brooklyn expansion offers a refreshing shift in tone and purpose for The Division 2. After years of seasonal content and open-ended grind cycles, this DLC reintroduces a structured mini-campaign that puts story front and center. The stakes feel personal again because of it, with Brooklyn portrayed as a fragile safe haven now under threat from the Cleaners. This familiar enemy faction brings their own brand of chaos across the river from Manhattan, and players must once again restore order in the face of overwhelming odds. It’s a compelling setup that gives returning players a strong reason to reengage, and we enjoyed diving back into this on the PS5.
The campaign takes place across two new named zones, each distinct in layout and tone. Brooklyn Heights is dense and vertical, offering opportunities for flanking and intense ambushes, while Vinegar Hill leans into tighter, close-quarters engagements. These environments are visually rich and packed with detail, and the mission design capitalizes on their layouts with smart enemy placement and satisfying objective pacing. It’s clear that the level design team took lessons from past expansions, delivering a more focused and atmospheric experience than some of the game’s earlier content.
In terms of gameplay, Battle for Brooklyn stays close to the established formula but introduces subtle refinements that improve the overall feel. AI enemies exhibit smarter behavior, often coordinating attacks and forcing players out of cover more aggressively. New gear, exotic weapons, and refreshed skills offer more tactical options, especially for high-level builds. For lapsed players or those looking to skip the grind, the included level 40 boost is a welcome shortcut that gets you straight into the action. However, players unfamiliar with the core systems may still find the learning curve steep without additional onboarding.
One of the more surprising improvements comes in the form of a few quality-of-life updates. The stash space increase may seem minor on paper, but it’s a change that veteran players will immediately appreciate, especially given how much new loot the DLC introduces. There’s also a noticeable effort to improve performance and polish, with the PS5 version offering smoother frame rates, faster load times, and sharper visuals compared to its last-gen counterparts. These enhancements help support the intensity of combat and make traversal through Brooklyn’s tense streets more immersive.
While the new campaign is tightly constructed and consistently engaging, it does fall on the shorter side. Most players will be able to complete the core missions in a handful of hours, and those hoping for a longer arc or significant character development may be left wanting. That said, what’s here is executed with focus and confidence, from set-piece encounters to environmental storytelling. It’s not a full reinvention of The Division 2, but it doesn’t need to be – it’s a concentrated dose of what the game does best, presented with renewed energy and clarity of purpose that should appeal to those who have been waiting for it.
Ultimately, Battle for Brooklyn succeeds by blending narrative urgency with gameplay refinements and offering a new space that feels both familiar and fresh. It may not overhaul the core loop, but it meaningfully adds to it, giving players new tools, environments, and reasons to jump back in. For those who’ve drifted away from The Division 2, this DLC is a smart and accessible way to reconnect. And for veterans still grinding out builds and exotic gear, it’s a satisfying continuation with just enough new content to keep things interesting.
Score: 8.0/10
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