Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Players: 1 Offline Player
Publisher: Square Enix
Genres: Action, RPG, Third-Person Shooter
Release Date: August 23, 2011
Developer: Edios Montreal
MSRP: $59.99
Platforms:
Adam Jensen didn't choose this. Physically augmented following devastating attacks on his employer, Adam must face new enemies, who, just like him, have evolved far beyond basic human capabilities. Caught in a web of intrigue that will bring him from the streets of Detroit to the edge of the world, Adam’s choices will decide his destiny and the fate of mankind, whether he wants it or not.

It’s her own fault for getting the self destruct augmentation.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution has had a lot of trailers, but the new “Purity First” video not only expands on the in-game controversy over human augmentation, but it also signals the launch of the website for fictional company Sarif Industries.

Done in faux propaganda style, this live-action trailer is a great primer for the world of Deus Ex. Sarif Industries (obviously named after Seraphs, a kind of angel) will likely only be the first of many shadowy organizations that you will end up dealing with in Human Revolution, and by the end of the game there is no doubt that you will have some serious ethical choices on your hands. Is human augmentation immoral? How much power should corporations wield? That future will be in our hands soon enough.

If you just can’t get enough Deus Ex, make sure to head over to sarifindustries.com and check out the marketing wizardry Square Enix has cooked up.

Angry Joe Interviews - Deus Ex Human Revolution E3 2011

Angry Joe Interviews three of the key developers for the upcoming Deus Ex Human Revolution.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Video Review - ZGR

Fall brings us the best games each year, so it's official, Fall has arrived early! Deus Ex: Human Revolution Review - ZGR

Sage Reviews - Deus Ex: Human Revolution

If the year ended tomorrow, then I would have no problem calling Human Revolution my game of the year.

Deus Ex is AWESOME!

Two serious pro gamers demo MLG caliber pwning tips that will get you chicks, bigger dicks, and TURBO TITS!

(Part 5 contains the context for this unusually low brow episode synopsis.)

  1. July 22, 2011 at 04:13pm
    In response to Article
    VN:F [1.9.15_1155]
    0
    -0

    I already have this game pre-ordered, and yet I want to buy more of it because this world just feels all that more real every time we see one of these videos.

  2. July 21, 2011 at 07:20pm
    In response to Article
    VN:F [1.9.15_1155]
    0
    -0

    cool thing about all this? DARPA actually has artificial limbs similar to those in Deus ex (minus the hidden weapons of course ;) ) in development

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6R5bm6qx2E

    http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/10/darpa-looks-to-fuse-nerves-with-robot-limbs-make-prosthetics-feel-real/

    (note that this video is 3 years old)

  3. July 21, 2011 at 07:01pm
    In response to Article
    VN:F [1.9.15_1155]
    4
    -0

    That was an amazing video. It kind of reminds me of the short film that eventually got turned into the movie District 9.

    Personally, I have no problem with augmentation. In fact I think it’s an inevitably necessary evolution for our species. But, I’ve never been a fan of cybernetic augmentation for the exact reasons discussed in the video (omitting the “You’re losing your humanity!!!!” BS). Purely cybernetic augmentations should only serve as an intermediate stepping stone technology to help people with disabilities while we try to perfect mostly cheap organic solutions.

  4. July 21, 2011 at 05:22pm
    In response to Article
    VN:F [1.9.15_1155]
    1
    -0

    I’ve always been pro-cybernetics, and this kind of propaganda feels very fear-mongering to me. Paranoid and self-righteous. “Losing our humanity” has never struck me as a compelling “moral” argument, especially since it feels like a slap in the face to those who genuinely need them. If a dancer lost her legs due to some accident, are you saying she’d be “less human” to get cybernetic replacements to continue with her passion? Are you saying that a man born without one of his feet is “inhuman” for getting even a plastic prosthetic?

    As for the paranoia about them trying to control society… well, if you’re going to overreact to mere suspicious with violent riots, perhaps they should instill a little order. Then again, I have a totalitarian political mindset (at least according to an online quiz).

    • July 21, 2011 at 06:04pm
      In response to Kimarous
      VN:F [1.9.15_1155]
      3
      -0

      The interesting part in this discussion is : Those are not mere prosthetics. Those are BETTER than what your normal arm / foot / whatever could do. They take you way beyond human abilities.
      And that’s where the “inhuman” point comes in. Before long you get to the point where you want those augmentations even if you don’t need them. Like at all. In one of the fake sarif ads you see a guy who replaced his normal eyes with augmentations that allow him to capture pictures like a camera. Does that seem human to you? What about a guy that replaces both arms and legs – and basically becomes the 6 million dollar man. You don’t want to be the cop to chase that guy cause he just robbed a bank barehanded. Or vice versa.

      Losing part of our humanity is a valid point since those take could take us beyond human capability. And that can be something the human mind is not able to process, leading to madness and megalomania.
      Ever thought about how the whole Borg thingy started? (Far fetched, I know)
      Or take Cyberzombies from Shadowrun.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Deus Ex Boss Battles Explained by Man Who Made Them

Posted by [ 8 months ]

Did you know a different company worked on the “bad” parts of Deus Ex?

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Angry Review

Posted by [ 8 months, 1 week ]

Angry Joe travels to 2027 to augment himself with fancy new equipment! Check out the

Deus Ex is AWESOME!

Posted by [ 8 months, 1 week ]

Two serious pro gamers demo MLG caliber pwning tips that will get you chicks, bigger dicks, and TURBO TITS!

(Part 5 contains the context for this unusually low brow episode synopsis.)

First Trailer for Deus Ex: HR "Missing Link" DLC

Posted by [ 8 months, 1 week ]

Is it immoral to augment your game with DLC? What an ethical quandary!

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Review

Posted by [ 8 months, 2 weeks ]

This series has produced one of the best games of all time and also one of the worst sequels of all time. Due to this, I went into Square-Enix stab at Deus Ex with an equal amount of excitement and trepidation. Is the game an evolution or should it go back to the developer for further augmentation?

Deus Ex RSS Feed Hints At Missing Link DLC

Posted by [ 8 months, 2 weeks ]

So, you want more Human Revolution? You’re not alone. Seems that the folks over at Eidos have some downloadable content planned in the future……

Sage Reviews - Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Posted by [ 8 months, 3 weeks ]

If the year ended tomorrow, then I would have no problem calling Human Revolution my game of the year.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Video Review - ZGR

Posted by [ 8 months, 4 weeks ]

Fall brings us the best games each year, so it’s official, Fall has arrived early! Deus Ex: Human Revolution Review – ZGR

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Launch Trailer

Posted by [ 8 months, 4 weeks ]

The future is now.

Take an Ear Listen to this Latest Deus Ex Developer Diary!

Posted by [ 9 months, 1 week ]

I’m not going to lie. I fall firmly in the Joe camp when it comes

Deus Ex Boss Battles Explained by Man Who Made Them

Posted By about 8 months ago

Did you know a different company worked on the “bad” parts of Deus Ex?

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Angry Review

Posted By about 8 months, 1 week ago

Angry Joe travels to 2027 to augment himself with fancy new equipment! Check out the

Deus Ex is AWESOME!

Posted By about 8 months, 1 week ago

Two serious pro gamers demo MLG caliber pwning tips that will get you chicks, bigger dicks, and TURBO TITS!

(Part 5 contains the context for this unusually low brow episode synopsis.)

First Trailer for Deus Ex: HR "Missing Link" DLC

Posted By about 8 months, 1 week ago

Is it immoral to augment your game with DLC? What an ethical quandary!

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Review

Posted By about 8 months, 2 weeks ago

This series has produced one of the best games of all time and also one of the worst sequels of all time. Due to this, I went into Square-Enix stab at Deus Ex with an equal amount of excitement and trepidation. Is the game an evolution or should it go back to the developer for further augmentation?

Deus Ex RSS Feed Hints At Missing Link DLC

Posted By about 8 months, 2 weeks ago

So, you want more Human Revolution? You’re not alone. Seems that the folks over at Eidos have some downloadable content planned in the future……

Sage Reviews - Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Posted By about 8 months, 3 weeks ago

If the year ended tomorrow, then I would have no problem calling Human Revolution my game of the year.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Video Review - ZGR

Posted By about 8 months, 4 weeks ago

Fall brings us the best games each year, so it’s official, Fall has arrived early! Deus Ex: Human Revolution Review – ZGR

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Launch Trailer

Posted By about 8 months, 4 weeks ago

The future is now.

Take an Ear Listen to this Latest Deus Ex Developer Diary!

Posted By about 9 months, 1 week ago

I’m not going to lie. I fall firmly in the Joe camp when it comes

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Review

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Review

This series has produced one of the best games of all time and also one of the worst sequels of all time. Due to this, I went into Eidos Montreal’s attempt at Deus Ex with an equal amount of excitement and trepidation. Deus Ex is one of those games that you use as a comparison to all other games that fall into the same genre, so the third installment had a lot to live up to. Deus Ex: Human Revolution has a mountain to overcome in order to get close to its now ancient predecessor (and a mole hill to climb over another). Instead of attempting that near impossible climb, Human Revolution surprised me by leaping over the mole hill and going around the mountain instead.

PROSWonderful Narrative, good overall presentation,involving, worth multiple plays
CONSTerrible boss fights, some plot holes, level up system not perfect, too little variety
WTF?!No lockpicks? They make a comeback in the future then?

You are Adam Jensen, Security Chief for Sarif Industries. This company is one of the major producers of human augmentations, competing for a place at the top of the global stage. Thanks to Dr. Megan Reed, your old friend/ex/divorced wife (never explained), your company is about to make a breakthrough in augmentation. It all goes wrong when the company is attacked, the scientist team is killed, and you’re pretty much left for dead. This time around, being left for dead doesn’t mean zombies attack, but instead, Adam Jensen becomes one of the most heavily augmented people in the world and is brought back into the fold to try and discover who is targeting Sarif.

From here, the game follows a pretty standard pattern of letting you explore a HUB level filled with mini-quests, before switching to a dungeon style map for the main plot. Rinse, repeat and that’s the entire structure of the game. Sometimes you get two dungeon style levels in a row, but that’s it. I’m not saying this is necessarily a bad way of setting the game, but you can be guaranteed of a few things every time. Each HUB area will have three to four side quests per visit and nearly every dungeon will end with a boss fight of some description (not including the first). Human Revolution uses a very standard approach to pacing that, while practical, isn’t as varied as I would have liked.

But let’s be honest, it’s not so much how the levels occur, but what occurs within them. Starting with the HUB levels, players can expect a wonderfully fleshed out experience. Each of these sections truly feels like a living, breathing world and even the most redundant of civilian characters having something to add to the experience. Just listening to the goings on within the city is a task in itself and one that I personally spent several hours indulging in. If you really want to get the most out of DE: HR, then getting as deeply involved in the goings on within the world is a must. Besides, some of these conversations can actually lead you to finding alternate routes and secrets within the cities.

I wouldn’t want to meet him in an dark alley…

Aside from random chatter, there is plenty more to find. You can engage multiple characters in conversation, even if these don’t lead on to ‘official’ side quests. Should you be so inclined, you can simply explore. This often results in finding items and information that you would never have come across otherwise. Not every section in DE: HR is involved in the quest system and only through striking out on your own will you find everything.

Characters that do lead you to side quests often are named and easy to spot should you take the time to look at everybody or keep an ear out for a shout. You can choose to take on any mission you like, but why you would turn them down still eludes me. These mini-missions usually revolve around going to a location, speaking to someone, finding something, shooting someone, and not necessarily in that order. There is always a non-lethal answer to every one of these quests, and usually this is the preferred method. While it’s absolutely essential for games like Deus Ex to have these types of missions, Human Revolution fails to mix it up.

8/10

Angry Joe Interviews - Deus Ex Human Revolution E3 2011

Angry Joe Interviews three of the key developers for the upcoming Deus Ex Human Revolution.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Video Review - ZGR

Fall brings us the best games each year, so it's official, Fall has arrived early! Deus Ex: Human Revolution Review - ZGR

Sage Reviews - Deus Ex: Human Revolution

If the year ended tomorrow, then I would have no problem calling Human Revolution my game of the year.

Deus Ex is AWESOME!

Two serious pro gamers demo MLG caliber pwning tips that will get you chicks, bigger dicks, and TURBO TITS!

(Part 5 contains the context for this unusually low brow episode synopsis.)

  1. September 06, 2011 at 02:20am
    In response to Article
    VN:F [1.9.15_1155]
    8
    -0

    All right, you got me; what plot holes?

    • September 06, 2011 at 04:46am
      In response to Lowlander
      VN:F [1.9.15_1155]
      5
      -1

      Well, I did find a few: The post credits ending… There are 4 possible endings, but the Eliza choice is the only one that makes sense with the finale. Then you have the one when the Hive owners son tries to kill you for no reason, even though the original plan would have still worked as a distraction. And finally, how did the bad guys exactly manage to create a glitch to force a factory recall. (but to be fair, I’m not sure about the last one ’cause I stopped reading all the e-mails at about 3/4 of the game)

  2. September 05, 2011 at 10:17pm
    In response to Article
    VN:F [1.9.15_1155]
    2
    -0

    Excellent review!

    So far there is two things that bother me with the game. First one is being the dumb AI. Very dumb. I’ve seen much smarter AI in the first Splinter Cell that dates from almost ten years.

    I found a perfect strategy too to sneak-fight groups : throw a cardboard box, wait for the guy to come, take down, repeat ten times. I also find the need to “hide bodies” not that important. Very often i can sneak right in front of a guard… are they blind?

    The graphic engine clearly made its time, but the scenery and cities design are fantastic.

    Oh well, this game is still awesome.

  3. September 05, 2011 at 08:55pm
    In response to Article
    VN:F [1.9.15_1155]
    4
    -0

    Nice work.

    Though I will say – the energy management system was a constant bother – downing candy bars to have more then the one was a really bad design decision – particularly if you’re doing stealth & takedowns.

    The other thing I think is a major disagreement with something most people have had to say about the game, and you also had here:

    “”Each of these sections truly feels like a living, breathing world”"

    Where are the people?

    I can understand Detroit being totally deserted – two reasons why.
    1. It’s nighttime, and possibly very early monring.
    2. It’s Detroit.

    In China though? The city you’re in is huge – big enough that it’s a double decker, it’s during the daytime, and you’re in what equates to the slums. There’s barely anyone to be seen anywhere. Maybe I’ve been spoiled with the Assassin’s Creed games, but the streets felt completely deserted and it really sucked me out of feeling like it was an actual city.

    The design layout was great, I’ll give it that, but no cars, no traffic, no people? I was expecting this:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpnSEALDG_c&feature=related

    And instead we had this:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIIuR-HjFho&feature=related

    I really enjoyed the game, but it was definitely not without faults.

    • September 06, 2011 at 01:44am
      In response to HiddenDistance
      VN:F [1.9.15_1155]
      0
      -1

      There are people and (parked) cars.Although DEX draws heavy influences on a lot of “interllectual” Sc–Fi; the series
      has never tried to replicate any one film entirely.

      • September 06, 2011 at 12:40pm
        In response to Destro9
        VN:F [1.9.15_1155]
        0
        -0

        Yes, I saw them. What I’m saying is that they are scarce, particularly for what is supposed to be a major metropolitan city – to the point where I don’t believe that it’s actually a city, because there are not enough people there (hence the break from immersion).

        I don’t remember saying it was trying to copy a specific film…

        • September 06, 2011 at 03:53pm
          In response to HiddenDistance
          VN:F [1.9.15_1155]
          1
          -0

          Yeah I’ll admit the cities are less populated than you would likely see in RL, but from a game standpoint I think its fine. The AC games are in third person so your vision isn’t obscured by crowds like it would be in first person. it would be much more difficult getting around and finding people if you had to watch out for cars and crowds.

          I have to wait to cross the road enough in RL, those terrorists necks aren’t going to snap themselves :3

          • September 06, 2011 at 07:21pm
            In response to capthavic
            VN:F [1.9.15_1155]
            0
            -0

            I did not consider the potential gameplay ramifications from the 3rd to 1st person perspectives with a city with quite a bit more population. That said, I don’t think it would be impossible to address, but given the technology, staff on hand & ideas bouncing around the meeting rooms it just wasn’t feasible with the engine/gameplay mechanics.

            Someday perhaps.

  4. September 05, 2011 at 07:54pm
    In response to Article
    VN:F [1.9.15_1155]
    1
    -0

    Excellent review Yousif, despite a few typos. I agree with pretty much everything you said.

    • September 05, 2011 at 08:11pm
      In response to pariah
      VN:F [1.9.15_1155]
      2
      -0

      I apologize for any typos. I’m still recovering from surgery I had a week or so back and perhaps have not hit the high standard I usually like to bring. I gave the editing team a hell of a time with this one and there was always a chance they were going to miss something.

      I’ll be taking a short break from writing while I fully recover. Should be back in time for a major title out at the end of this month.

    • September 05, 2011 at 09:35pm
      In response to pariah
      VN:F [1.9.15_1155]
      4
      -0

      I also strongly agree with this review, although while I was playing on the PC version, I had a constant frame-rate of 30fps. One thing I was disappointed about that Yousif wasn’t, was Square’s bad habit of over-using pre-rendered cut-scenes… I found they were utterly unnecessary in some situations, and given the difference between the pre-rendered and real time rendering (real time often being brighter and more focused than the pre-rendered), it made some situations a little jarring.

      Another thing I want to point out is the massive amounts of easter eggs in the game. From Robocop and Demolition man references (the demolition man one had me rolling with laughter) to a letter from a former Australian prime minister, and room names that have more meaning than you would think, the writers threw in just about any and all reference they could think of, which is a delight to all who can find them… or to me anyways.

      • September 06, 2011 at 08:40am
        In response to Katzbalger
        VN:F [1.9.15_1155]
        0
        -1

        Let me guess, the Prime Minister is Kevin Rudd?

        • September 06, 2011 at 06:58pm
          In response to Lowlander
          VN:F [1.9.15_1155]
          0
          -0

          Actually no, it was John Howard, one of our most longest running PMs. You can find his letter on a computer next to the first turret you run across in the Picus building. He doesn’t state anything about his role as a Prime Minister in the letter, but that’s because he is now just an average citizen, having retired from politics (with a massive pension of that)

          • September 07, 2011 at 08:05am
            In response to Katzbalger
            VN:F [1.9.15_1155]
            0
            -0

            You mean he’ll still be alive by then? The guy’s 80-odd as far as I know.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.

No Posts

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Angry Review

Posted in Angry Joe Show [ 8 months, 1 week ]

Angry Joe travels to 2027 to augment himself with fancy new equipment! Check out the

Deus Ex is AWESOME!

Posted in Video Games Awesome! [ 8 months, 1 week ]

Two serious pro gamers demo MLG caliber pwning tips that will get you chicks, bigger dicks, and TURBO TITS!

(Part 5 contains the context for this unusually low brow episode synopsis.)

Sage Reviews - Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Posted in Bennett The Sage [ 8 months, 3 weeks ]

If the year ended tomorrow, then I would have no problem calling Human Revolution my game of the year.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution Video Review - ZGR

Posted in Zeitgeist Review [ 8 months, 4 weeks ]

Fall brings us the best games each year, so it’s official, Fall has arrived early! Deus Ex: Human Revolution Review – ZGR

Angry Joe Interviews - Deus Ex Human Revolution E3 2011

Posted in Angry Joe Show [ 11 months, 1 week ]

Angry Joe Interviews three of the key developers for the upcoming Deus Ex Human Revolution.

Angry Joe Interviews - Deus Ex Human Revolution E3 2011

Posted by [ 11 months, 1 week ]

Angry Joe Interviews three of the key developers for the upcoming Deus Ex Human Revolution.

Deus Ex Augmentation Site

Posted by [ 1 year, 5 months ]

A new augmentation manufacturing company website has launched as a preview of the extensive technology available to players in Deus Ex: Human Revolution.