In The Division, we take a closer look at the new Dark Zone areas DZ07-09 in the video.
Update 1.6 brings some new features to the Dark Zone, including three new Dark Zone sections that connect to the existing PvE/PvP area in the north.
This Dark Zone is meant to exude an even darker atmosphere: Body bags are piled up in the streets, some are on fire, and enemies are lurking everywhere. Furthermore, the “play area” is nearly doubled as you will not only run on the streets but also on roofs, in underground areas, and inside buildings.
But what does this DZ look like in the north? The YouTuber MarcoStyle takes you on a “tour”. He starts in the west of DZ06:
A smooth transition from DZ06 to DZ07
From DZ06, you can walk directly into DZ07 – without a loading screen. Some of the boundaries that previously prevented you from marching north have been removed.
It’s noticeable that while the division between streets and building blocks still exists, you now have several ways to get over these building blocks: Walk under them, over their roofs, or right through the building to get to the other side. In the southern DZ areas, most blocks are insurmountable obstacles.
The underground areas and the interiors of the buildings are more complex than previously known from the DZ. Furthermore, you have a good overview from some roofs to take kills at a distance.
Overall, the new DZ areas are not as “dark” as advertised by Massive. You will find some nice details, the design is praised by many agents; however, these areas are still very similar to the current Dark Zone and do not provide a completely new gameplay experience.
The Contamination Events
1.6 brings contamination events where elite cleaners appear in the underground areas of the Dark Zone that need to be defeated. However, in these areas, the contamination is so high that your filter is insufficient. This means you will constantly take damage during these events.
It is best to go in teams and have healers with you. Without healing skills, you won’t get far there. MarcoStyle is enthusiastic about these events as they require a dynamic playstyle and would definitely enhance the “new” Dark Zone.
Have you already been to these DZ areas? What do you think of them?
You can read all the Dark Zone innovations of Last Stand and 1.6 here.
