Game Review: Deus Ex - Mankind Divided

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Hello Enthusiasts,

Sequels can be a strange thing in all forms of media. I'm sure you can easily think of a few games or movies where the sequel didn't live up to the first game, and I'm sure there are other series you can think of where the opposite can be said about the later installments. Today I will be reviewing the newest installation in the Deus Ex series, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided.

This title takes place two years after the events of the previous title, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, which has changed the world considerably. Because the previous game ended with all (but one) of the augmented people of the world becoming super-violent, they are now seen as second-class citizens. They have to go through hard checkpoints and are frequently subject to "accidents" involving the police. It's a tense, stressful environment that will have you a little on edge as you walk around. You still play as Adam Jensen, though you are now working as an agent for Interpol (also, secretly, a hacker organization call Juggernaut). Adam also starts to experience some technical difficulties, and when he is reset he discovers several hidden augmentations to unlock. As the story progresses you discover what appears to be a conspiracy to frame a pro-aug organization for terrorist attacks. So if becomes a race against the clock to find the real culprits.

So this game does improve on a lot of aspects of the previous game, especially in the area of versatility. A problem I found with the last game was that you were forced to play in the style that you chose, but it was difficult to change to another as you progressed. If you were trying for stealth, you better hope you don't get seen, because you didn't have enough points to also upgrade your offensive capabilities. This game has a wider spread and seems to offer more points, allowing a player to upgrade for multiple options. The graphics are, of course, upgraded, and the open city offers a lot to look at. It does feel like a lot of the city is open to explore (as long as you have upgraded your hacking skills), and most of the areas have something to offer. The augmentations themselves are excellent as well, with each upgrade noticeably changing the gameplay and how you will approach situations.

Despite the improvements, there are a couple of negatives. The loading can take some time, and the scenes will noticeably repeat themselves over and over. It isn't nearly as bad as XCOM 2, but it is still a good wait for loading. The conversations can be tedious as well, especially when you know it's going to eventually lead to a good action scene. There also a social augmentation that you can use points on that allow you to read the other person and speak appropriately to their personality type, but it's a strange system that isn't fully explained. I ended up looking online for assistance, which did help a lot, and it certainly isn't a bad system itself, they just kind of throw you into it though.

Overall, this game is a lot of fun and incredibly engaging. It can be difficult, but not to the point where you won't want to play. It feels a lot more polished and balanced than the previous title, and it will be hard to put down. Despite the problem of some serious load times, it is still worth the purchase.

I give Deus Ex: Mankind Divided a 9 out of 10.

Sincerely,

The Bored Enthusiast