Game Review: Deus EX: Human Revolution
Many times there are stories that transcend the medium that reveals them. Back in 2000, the original Deus EX game released on PC an experience that was legendary within the gaming industry. Set in a cybernetic future, the story was a mix between Blade Runner and James Bond where the hero has a plethora of abilities and gadgets to allow them to approach any situation in a multitude of ways. Not only that, the story manages to change itself based upon the actions made within conversations AND combat. Like a movie that you can control, Deus EX has a special place in the heart of PC gamers and led to a sequel in 2003 on the Xbox console. Now Eidos Montreal steps into the role of developer rather than publisher (Ion Storm developed the previous games) with Human Revolution, hoping to both stay true to the spirit of the past and introduce it to new fans.
Deus EX: Human Revolution is at it's core a first person shooter and role playing game hybrid (FPS-RPG). Other FPS games typically focus upon the action and combat to progress the storyline and differentiate themselves from the pack. This is where Deus EX:HR is unique. Instead of shooting everything that moves like in Halo or Call of Duty, Deus EX:HR specializes in one thing, choice. You make your own decision as to whether a foe is to be killed or simply left alone. By using brute force, stealth, hacking, or social skills, you can approach most situations in a number of different ways. These decisions can actually alter the storyline and even the ending. Much like the iconic storybased games such as Mass Effect, Elder Scrolls, and Fallout, you're given a custom experience everytime you play it. Where Elder Scrolls and Fallout specialize in a 'living world' style enviroment with wandering monsters and encounters, Deus EX:HR leans a bit closer to Mass Effect's approach of giving the hero a number of tools and skills to approach a more personalized storyline to your character.
Cyberpunk Flavored Choose-Your-Own-Adventure
When you first start the game you are launched into a complex technology and science based mystery. Adam Jensen (the hero that you control) is an ex-SWAT security guard for a high profile human cybernetics research and manufacturing company named Sarif Industries. Escorting an important scientist (both professionally and personally apparently), Jensen quickly finds himself in the midst of an attack on the building by cybernetically enhanced black ops mercenaries. Outnumbered and outmatched, you search around for survivors, clues, and foes only to be nearly killed upon reaching the merc leaders.
Once your hero wakes up from his cybernetic operation, his presence is immediately requested to quell a hostage situation. Curiosity about the office building and exploration instantly takes hold and doing so can bring about wireless feeds stating that the situation deteriorates and hostages are killed. Such consequences don't end the story though like most linear games would. Instead your experience continues on. Eventually taking on the hostage situation, you are then given the choice of handling the terrorists with deadly or incapacitating force while keeping in mind that dead men don't talk. While your boss may want heads on a stake, speaking to the terrorist leader may reveal that someone other than him is pulling the strings in a much larger plot. Choices, choices!
As you get into the guts of the game and the more open world take on the game reveals itself, you'll experience more of the essence of the classic original. Initially set within a futuristic Detroit, you'll explore in a perpetual night highlighted in an errie golden hue. Kind of
like a gritty Tron styled visual, you will notice that the color pallette for this game is severely restricted to set the mood. Though this dark style is fitting for the story, it is interesting to see the varying detail spent on the different character models. Most cutscene's play out with gorgeous detail on both the characters' animations and the background's, but during gameplay, most characters speak and move about with robotic facial animations or gestures. Those that require intense discussions do have slightly better animation than others but most characters seem to have a more Xbox or PS2 flavored quality than what is typically seen in today's gaming scene. These observations were made on the Xbox360. Apparently, the graphical detail achieved on the PC version completely blows the console version away (which is typically the case).
The downgraded graphical content could be due to the immense amount of content and interactivity that adds to the immersion into the game. As the golden hue'd eternal evening highlights every interactive object in a golden border, you'll notice that every box and barrel isn't movable as a novelty. Instead, they can become steps to secret stashes, secret entrances, or strategically placed cover. Sending Adam through five futuristic cities including Detroit, Shanghai, and Montreal providing a number of street corner convos, personal emails, and other reading material that throw you deeper into the techie rabbit hole. While it isn't necessary to read each and every email, e-book (or e-post-it note rather), and newspaper found, Eidos Montreal made it extremely compelling to do so. Some material reveals info on characters you'll encounter, hidden loot, or passwords for security systems.
With a story this deep, it is pretty easy for the main character to exist as a voiceless enigma pulled along through each twist and turn. Here, Adam Jensen has a backstory to explore as well that ties into the mystery you're trying to solve. Constantly feeling like a pawn in the midst of a chess game with more than two sides, you can approach this game with educated patience or violent disregard knowing that the storyline will change based on how you approach it. All the while, Adam's monotone and relatively emotionless voice manages to carve out an iconic place in the lore of today's memorable gaming heroes.
Controlling Jensen
The combat controls are pretty standard for a game of it's type. After playing a round of Call of Duty, the controls may feel a bit stiff though. This isn't much of an issue but can be particularly frustrating if you find yourself discovered in the midst of attempting to sneak around. Shooting enemies in areas such as the arms or legs will stun them for a time while head shots do the most damage (of course). Shooting an enemy in the arm typically led to a standard animation much like old school FPS games Perfect Dark or Goldeneye. Unlike both of those games, Adam Jensen is not quite a tank (at least until you augment him to be that way). Running into the midst of multiple enemies typically leads to a quick death as the enemy AI will target you quickly and use tactics to take cover, call for backup, and flank you.
Also, Jensen's close combat abilities are pretty effective too. When in range, you are given the onscreen option to KO or kill your target. Once again, the transition between the gameplay and the little cutscene that shows the takedown is jarring. The screen blinks as if you're about to watch another movie and then when it is done, you can see the result of your carnage on the floor. This could have been executed better but thankfully it isn't so jarring that it takes away from the experience.
To assist in your combat effectiveness, Jensen's augmentation possibilities include armor, aim stability, and a wicked Typhoon weapon system that slings explosives in 360 degrees to level all nearby foes amongst others. Also, the different weapons that you can encounter can be upgraded with purchased and discovered modules or kits. Some kits will increase damage. Others will increase ammo capacity. You may also find kits that add laser targeting or ones that increase the firing rate. This adds to the strategy of inventory management given that you can only hold so many guns and always wondering what shiny new death dealer you may find next. Pacifists have a few options as well since stun guns and tranquilizer rifles make there way into the armory as well.
When it comes to stealth, you'll be doing a lot of crouching, sneaking, and creeping about stages and airducts. A somewhat jarring mechanic is that when you take cover, the view switches to third person view which allows for better vision around corners. Still, the 
transition between the two is a bit sudden (especially when you leave cover). Here, Adam's possible augmentations will allow him to move silently, have enhanced radar, jump to amazing heights, move heavy objects, and a cloaking device. There's even an extremely fun ground strike that stuns all nearby foes! This style of gameplay takes a considerable amount of tactics and time to do. Thankfully, the game rewards you with significant experience point bonuses as you do so.
Hacking is more of a strategic mini game that requires you to capture and fortify nodes of different types in order to gain access and acquire loot. Using augmentations to become a better hacker can allow you to turn off security cams, open doors, acquire info, and even turn security turrets against your enemies.
The social aspect of the game requires you to watch characters expressions as they talk as well as their expressions as they listen to you. With great voice acting, you'll encounter all kinds of people that can help or hinder your goal of helping Sarif and yourself solve this mystery. You can even use augmentations that enhance your ability to get information from those you are questioning.
All of these enhancements can be acquired through what is called Praxis points that are either found/purchased as software upgrades or granted once a new experience level is acheived. With a high price point on these Praxis points and a number of different levels of augmentations, it is near impossible to acquire them all. Another aspect that keeps the balance is the fact that bio energy is expended when most augmentations are used. Spend all of your energy and you can no longer use your augmentations until they recharge or they are replenished. There are even augmentation enhancements that improve your bio energy level and recharge rate.
Even with all of these options, once you encounter boss fights you'll find that the only tactics available are straight up combat. This can make these fights extremely frustrating. With an inventory system that requires space for ammunition for each weapon type carried, it is easy to run out of ammunition which also increases the difficulty. Still, this may be a part of the charm for some.
In the end, Deus EX: Human Revolution is the blueprint for the modern day RPG which fits in nicely with publisher Square Enix's legacy for some of the greatest RPGs in gaming history. With it's amazing capacity of freedom of choice, this game manages to make the player forget and forgive minor gripes in exchange for a memorable and exhilarating experience. The styling of the game even spawned a fashion sense that can be purchased giving use all a taste of presentable nerdism. Well...though that is debatable, the amazing concern for immersion into this world in this way and so many others certainly makes Deus EX:Human Revolution an instant RPG classic.
Final Score: 85 out of 100
Info:
ESRB Rating: Mature (for blood, sexual themes, strong language, drug reference, use of alcohol, and intense violence)
Available for: PS3, Xbox360, PC
Website: www.deusex.com
Video Game critic and guru, music afficionado, and published poet, BJ is a fan of all things artistic. Believing that art in its various forms is an important part of the path to enlightenment, he seeks to share his perspective on life and art with any Heeder with a open mind.