Although we don't know too much about Tom Clancy's The Division what we saw back at E3 2013 and during VGX 2013 was enough to skyrocket it towards the top of our most anticipated games of 2014 list — provided it doesn't slip to 2015, of course.

Developer Ubisoft has kept many of The Division's key secrets under wraps, only teasing the game's global world-state and combat opportunities, but they have not shied away from showcasing its stunning graphics engine. To better illuminate that point we have a couple new screenshots from The Division that prove the next-gen is alive in this forthcoming game.

Many of the screenshots are closer looks at scenes featured in the Snowdrop Engine demo seen at VGX 2013, but they are nonetheless impressive. From detailed environments and destruction to precise lighting effects, The Division boasts some of the most intriguing tech on the market.

While there are plenty of next-gen games on the docket for 2014 and beyond, The Division is one of the few that truly feels like a next-gen visual experience. We've obviously only seen a very sparse vertical slice, but that should be more than enough to pique any gamers' interest.

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Two of the key Snowdrop Engine features highlighted in the screenshots include its day/night cycle lighting effects, which give a different personality to this desolate New York based on time of day, and the advanced destruction, which, if the gameplay footage is to be believed, can accurately register large explosions and tiny bullet hits in stunning detail.

Where the game still remains a mystery is in its gameplay and story. Ubisoft's E3 preview teased high concept features like persistent multiplayer and a virus gone awry, but we haven't really seen how those ideas coalesce into an actual "game" just yet. No question, these screenshots are pretty, but much like Watch Dogs did last year, The Division needs to set itself apart from the pack not just with impressive visuals but also with a unique approach to gameplay. We don't doubt that Ubisoft knows what they're doing, and the marketing team has a plan, but a trailer or two might be nice. If the game is not delayed into 2015 we hope something is on the way.

What do you think about these The Division screenshots? What most impresses you about the game's visuals?

Tom Clancy's The Division is reportedly targeting a 2014 release for PS4, Xbox One, and PC.

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Source: NeoGAF