Game Review: Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Every now and then, a game comes along that changes the way you look at gaming.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution is one of those games.

The Game

Set in 2027, Deus Ex: Human Revolution is a prequel to the initial 2000 release, Deus Ex, which was followed in 2003 by a sequel, Deus Ex: Invisible War. It was developed by Eidos Montreal, and published by Square Enix, who own Eidos, and also produce the Final Fantasy series, the Hitman series and many other action titles.

You are Adam Jensen, head of security at human augmentation developer Sarif Industries. The revolution of human augmentation is in its infant stages, and 0n the eve of announcements that could dramatically advance Sarif’s technologies in a highly competitive market, the Detroit office is attacked by a private security force led by three ruthless mercenaries. The labs are destroyed, and many scientists are killed, including the lead developer of the new technology – and Jensen’s ex-girlfriend – Megan Reed.

Jensen is horrifically injured in the attack, but a clause in his contract allows David Sarif – head of Sarif Industries – to augment Jensen with the cutting-edge technology in order to save his life.

Six months later, mostly recovered from your life-saving operations, you return to Sarif Industries to respond to a break-in at one of Sarif’s production facilities. What you find puts you on the trail of the initial attackers, and a grand conspiracy begins to unravel.

What I Love About this Game

For so long there have been role-playing games (RPGs), and there have been first-person shooters. And recently, we have seen many clear attempts at combining both genres. Deus Ex: Human Revolution is, to me, the finest game so far produced in this new genre.

There is true depth of choice in this game. Throughout it, you can choose to utilise any combination of what the developers call the four “pillars” of gameplay: Combat, Stealth, Hacking and Social.

It is explained, early in the game, that as you are not yet fully recovered from your augmentation surgery, your augmentations are yet to be fully developed. They can be upgraded through Praxis points, which can be earned through experience points, which are gained through takedowns, kills, exploring new areas and other various methods. Some Praxis points are hidden in and around the environments, and, although costly, Praxis points can also be bought.

This cleverly-veiled player development system allows you to choose which of these “pillars” you want to use. A small progression in all four is necessary, but advanced development in any two of them should allow you to finish the game.

It also means that, just like I have, you can play through the game multiple times, and each time you will find a new experience.

The first time I played through the game I used all lethal weapons, and shot my way to and through all the objectives. The second time I played, I used stealth and non-lethal attacks to reach my goal. Both times I finished the game, and both times I felt great afterwards.

But the truly awesome moment was when I started it all over again (yes, this game is that good), and I combined my lethal and stealthy skillsets. This was the moment I realised how powerful Jensen could be. The power at your fingertips when you reach this moment is indescribable. And it’s why you need to play this game.

But the depth of RPG-style choice in this game isn’t the only reason this game is so good. It also delivers from a first-person shooter standpoint.

All the weapons look great, sound great to fire, are as effective and ineffective as advertised, and can be upgraded and personalised. Ammunition is scarcer than perhaps it is in other shooters, but not frustratingly so. The lethal melees are brutal and perfectly executed, and a two-man-takedown upgrade only makes them more incredible.

This is a game that keeps on giving. There are literally endless possibilities when you play this game, and I’m sure I will play it again and again in the years to come.

What I Don’t Love About this Game

Not much. This game is about as perfect a game as I have played. There are some flaws though – although they are few and far between, so I will bullet point them:

• Loading times. It just seems sometimes that the game takes a little too long to load. Sometimes when you die and try to reload the last checkpoint, it’ll take just as long to reload as any other, even if you’re not changing environment.
• Dialogue. Video game dialogue has still got a long way to go before it’s up to the same standards as television and films, but this game is pretty good script and acting-wise. Sometimes, though, it seems a little dry and stagnant. Not a major, isolated problem, though.

The Scores:

Presentation: 8

The interface is smooth, clever and well integrated with the content. The load times are a little frustrating, though.

Graphics: 8.5

This game doesn’t really take any giant graphical steps technologically, but the art itself is gorgeous. Don’t expect incredible vistas – the game doesn’t really take place in any massive expanses – but do expect a fantastically detailed and diverse graphical experience.

Sound: 8

All other reviews will tell you this game’s soundtrack is fantastic. I thought it was good – and maybe I play games slightly differently to others – but I don’t really recall the soundtrack being too extraordinary. Not that it was bad; I just don’t really recall noticing it to much of an extent. The dialogue is a little tacky, but all other sounds are excellent. The effects are crisp and realistic, and the A.I. dialogue is generally relevant.

Gameplay: 9.5

There is so much choice in this game, and any way you choose to play it, you’ll have fun. When you work out the augmentations that best suit your play style, you will have a great time.

Lasting Appeal: 10

No game I have ever played in the action genre has such ongoing playability. I’m sure after I finish my next game review, I’ll take another swing at Deus Ex: Human Revolution.

Final score: 44/50

Buy this game. Borrow this game. Steal this game*. I don’t care how you do it, but PLAY THIS GAME.

*I do not condone stealing games.

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