The Deus Ex Revolution
With Human Revolution set for release in a few weeks it was time to revisit the original and find out what makes it one of the best games ever made
Deus Ex hasn’t aged one bit, in fact it was more fun to play through than ever before. The experience was enthralling and complex with many layers to combat, exploration and story. It is also a massive game, taking you across the globe from New York to Hong Kong and many places in between. It is surprising that the combat managed to stay enjoyable even after a decade of first person shooters. Stealth also worked well because of the careful balance with the AI. The game is so absorbing that little issues fade away.
Deus Ex is a masterpiece, but it didn’t bring about a revolution in the games industry. Perhaps the prequel will have a better chance of instigating more FPS games driven by player choice. It will be interesting to see how Human Revolution balances stealth and combat without compromising either. From previews and videos it appears that combat is easier than the original but bonuses are rewarded for stealth play. More points, used for augmentations, are given for avoiding conflict or performing non-lethal takedowns. This may gently push players into a stealthy mindset but not punish others when mistakes happen.
Human Revolution is also changing elements and bringing new features to the franchise. Multitools and lockpicks are gone and Hacking is a now mini game against the clock. It uses a modern 3rd person cover system which may improve combat and stealth play. Dangerous mechanical arms replace the myriad of melee weapons from the first game. There is a social persuasion system that allows you to convince certain characters to do as you wish. Health is now regenerative and consumables are used to recharge discrete energy cells used for augmentations.
With all the options available in the original it’s hard not to get excited for another game in the franchise. Eidos Montreal has taken up a massive challenge, one that will be compared meticulously to the original despite key differences. Set in 2027 you play as Adam Jensen in the age of mechanical augmentations. Adam has been augmented after an accident and is working as security for Sarif Industries. He will travel across the globe from Detroit to Heng Sha trying to uncover the truth. The developers are putting a lot of focus on player choice and creating a deep narrative. If Human Revolution taps into the successful formula it could be an incredible game.
