The 'The Division' series, which depicts the Strategic Homeland Division (SHD) working to stabilize the nation following a nationwide biochemical terror attack, has arrived on mobile under the title 'The Division Resurgence.'

When a game that made a name for itself on consoles and PC is released on mobile, the natural questions are: 'Does it capture the essence of the original?' and 'Is it playable on mobile, with decent graphics and optimization?' How does 'The Division' feel on mobile? I played it myself to find out.

'Graphics and Direction' That Capture the Original's Vibe

To start with the conclusion, the ultimate goal for a mobile version is to prove that it is worth installing for existing fans of the original, while simultaneously captivating new players. In that regard, 'The Division Resurgence' hits the mark.

For many, including myself, the appeal of 'The Division' lies in its detailed depiction of an apocalyptic world, brought to life by its graphics and cinematics. 'The Division Resurgence' faithfully upholds this standard.

I was impressed by the high-quality CG cinematics and the fact that, despite the mobile environment, the textures of characters, clothing, and surrounding objects are detailed enough to rival console versions.

'Deep Combat and Progression' Identical to the Original

So, how is the combat? It successfully carries over the feel of 'The Division.' Despite the touch controls, cover mechanics and shooting felt smooth and natural. I also appreciated that the design remains faithful to the original despite being a mobile version.

Mobile versions often lean toward 'lightness,' leading to simplified or automated gameplay. However, 'The Division Resurgence' maximizes the feel of the controls while maintaining a challenging difficulty, keeping me immersed and maintaining tension throughout my play sessions.

I also found that the 'Dark Zone,' the crown jewel of 'The Division,' has been implemented with the same spicy intensity as the original. For those who have played the series, the notoriety of the Dark Zone needs no introduction, but for newcomers to the mobile version: it is a high-value area teeming with 'high-difficulty bosses' and 'rogue agents.' It is a classic high-risk, high-reward environment. While you face more hostile forces than in the open field, the potential rewards are significantly higher. This design philosophy is well-reflected in 'The Division Resurgence,' providing a sense of depth in both combat and progression.

Despite being a mobile version, the combat and progression faithfully follow the original. From the moment the open world unlocks, the ultimate goal is to explore regions, complete main and side missions, upgrade to high-value gear, and build your character to an endgame level.

Graphics Optimization, Control Balance, and Server Issues Need Addressing

However, perhaps because it is so faithful to the original, there are some shortcomings. In particular, there are 'server issues.' Ubisoft games have a tradition of being jokingly referred to by users as having 'potato servers,' and 'The Division Resurgence' also struggled with server stability. Being disconnected while taking down a key boss in the field or while in the Dark Zone was frustrating enough to make me forget the game's strengths.

While the optimization isn't poor, the graphics settings force an unfortunate trade-off. While it doesn't matter much during the main story, frame rate (FPS) becomes crucial for high-difficulty content in the late game. In 'The Division Resurgence,' if you want a high frame rate, you have to sacrifice resolution entirely. Playing on low or medium settings means losing the visual fidelity that makes the game look so good, but playing at 30 FPS is equally disappointing.

Additionally, whether due to bugs or server issues, enemies failing to respawn properly was another annoyance. There was a main mission where I had to kill enemies to progress, but they wouldn't emerge from the window, forcing me to awkwardly kill them with a grenade launcher. For a more pleasant experience, server stability, graphics optimization, and bug fixes seem essential.

Finally, 'The Division Resurgence' is a double-edged sword in that it officially supports keyboard and mouse controls in addition to touch and controller inputs. While this allows players who are uncomfortable with touch or gamepads to enjoy the game more easily, it could conversely lead to balance issues in competitive modes like the 'Dark Zone' or 'Conflict.' If the developers aim for long-term service, I believe they will need to give this issue further thought and implement countermeasures.

A roadmap has been revealed, but 'Sustainability' is what matters most

There is no disagreement that 'The Division Resurgence' has successfully ported the original experience to mobile. However, one concern is whether it can achieve the 'sustainability' required for long-term service. And that 'sustainability' is ultimately tied to the 'business model' (BM) that generates revenue.

Many other companies have attempted to port their IP to mobile by replicating the original experience. Countless such titles have vanished before ever seeing the light of day, or were shut down because they failed to turn a profit. 'The Division Resurgence' has boldly unveiled its roadmap, and it will be interesting to see if it can demonstrate the 'sustainability' required to remain a lasting mobile title for Ubisoft.