While I'd like to see the loot, gear score, and social hub go the way of the dodo, I understand that at this point that is pretty much impossible. I DO enjoy the game, and will be keeping my pre-order. However, the complete commo blackout from the community devs regarding the repeated criticisms of these new, immersion-breaking Division-style RPG mechanics is frustrating to say the least. Honestly, it feels a bit disrespectful.

It'd be nice to have some kind of honest dialogue with them about this issue, and why those of us who are old fans of the franchise (especially those of us who were playing during the old Red Storm days) feel like the reality of this game is a bit of a slap in the face after the way it was marketed. The spirit of what was offered and the spirit of what we've gotten are vastly different. It all just feels very disingenuous, and a bit slimy.

I like to think that they didn't market the game to hardcore GR fans and deliberately leave out mention of the loot, GS, and forced social hub with any malicious intent. That being said, after months of receiving negative feedback regarding those elements from the majority of the core community, I have seen no honest attempt by the community devs to reach out to us.

They showed us what we wanted to see in the initial marketing of the game: a grittier, more grounded, more dangerous and real-feeling special operations experience. That is exactly what they said they were going for in the reveal, and in subsequent press releases and developer interviews. It is what many of us expected, and indeed were excited for. But that isn't what we're getting.

They told us we were getting the closest thing to a special operations experience that we could get in a game. And somehow, despite the inclusion of glowing columns of colorful lights holding gear that the dead enemies didn't have on them, gear scores that alter the amount of damage you can take, leveled enemies, inventory management that takes you out of the world, and a truly immersion-destroying ghost-packed social hub that flies in the face of the entire narrative behind the game, they still claim that that is what they are delivering.

I love the survival elements. I love the injury system. The combat and movement feels amazing to me, aside from my bizarre inability to turn around while in cover without walking backwards for five feet. I do not love the strange blending with The Division, and I really don't love the fact that they hid it in marketing, and are avoiding talking with us about it in the forums. Please talk to us, Ubisoft.