Review: Deus Ex: Mankind Divided

The latest installment in the Deus Ex series refines virtually every aspect of its predecessors. The central question, however, is whether Deus Ex: Mankind Divided sufficiently differentiates itself from Human Revolution.

The Deus Ex games are notable for their narrative ambition, and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided continues this tradition. For those unfamiliar with the series, a 12-minute cinematic flashback is highly recommended to establish the setting. In the near future, humans have begun incorporating augmentations – cybernetic implants that enhance their capabilities. These augmented individuals, or “Augs,” initially integrated into society. However, a coordinated attack in 2027 hijacked the Augs’ implants, causing them to turn violently against non-augmented humans. This event led to the implementation of restrictive laws and increased policing targeting Augs globally, creating a societal climate reminiscent of mechanical apartheid. The protagonist, Adam Jensen, is himself an augmented operative with unique abilities. He is tasked with unraveling a complex web of terrorist attacks and internal sabotage to uncover the true allies and adversaries.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided tells of a dark cyberpunk future.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided presents themes that resonate with contemporary social and political issues. While the bionic augmentations might seem slightly premature for 2027, the game’s exploration of societal divisions, marginalized groups, and protest movements with slogans like #AugsLivesMatter reflects current concerns. The narrative’s depth and intricate layers progressively revealed compel continued engagement. Expect unexpected twists, pervasive paranoia, and impactful moral decisions that influence gameplay.

Mankind Divided blends first-person shooter mechanics with significant stealth elements. Players familiar with Metal Gear Solid V or Dishonored will recognize similar cyberpunk aesthetics and gameplay mechanics, although the AI and enemy awareness are somewhat less challenging. While Deus Ex: Human Revolution favored a non-lethal, stealth-based approach, Mankind Divided equips Jensen with a more formidable arsenal, making him more lethal. However, stealth and strategic maneuvering remain advantageous, particularly when facing multiple adversaries. Compared to action-focused FPS titles like Wolfenstein: The New Order, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided presents a greater challenge in direct combat due to Jensen’s relative vulnerability. An in-game achievement even rewards completing the entire game without any kills, demonstrating Eidos Montréal’s continued emphasis on strategic and non-lethal gameplay. Thoughtful play is rewarded.

These tin monsters will give you some headaches if you don’t have a good strategy against them.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided debuts the Dawn Engine, delivering noticeable graphical improvements over its predecessor, although it may not reach the visual fidelity of the most advanced current-generation titles. The level of detail and character models are generally well-rendered, but animations and facial expressions (including lip-syncing) could be improved. Nevertheless, the game exhibits a well-designed and meticulously crafted world, effectively creating a compelling atmosphere.

The sound design, featuring impactful sound effects, a compelling soundtrack, and extensive dialogue, is commendable, although not exceptional. While Adam Jensen’s delivery can occasionally feel somewhat detached and theatrical, the narrative and overall content are engaging enough to quickly overcome this minor drawback, immersing players in the experience like a gripping thriller.

The game’s protagonist Adam Jensen is cool, but a bit wooden in his appearance.

The game mechanics function as intended, offering a wide array of menus, submenus, and key combinations to master. The initial learning curve can be somewhat challenging, particularly during combat encounters. However, the available tutorials and practice opportunities facilitate rapid acclimation. Players can also adjust control schemes or lower the difficulty to prioritize the interactive narrative experience.

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided offers a substantial and relatively open world, featuring a central storyline with numerous side quests and opportunities for deeper exploration. The game also encourages replayability by allowing players to approach missions with varying tactics. A companion smartphone app is intended to interact with the game, unlocking bonuses by scanning triangular codes. However, functionality issues were encountered during testing with an iPhone. This will hopefully be resolved in a future update.

Augs are partly machines – so they are vulnerable to EMP attacks.

In conclusion, while Deus Ex: Mankind Divided may not be the most visually stunning or technically flawless title in its genre, it excels in atmosphere and narrative depth. The well-crafted and engaging story offers at least 30 hours of gameplay, even without completing all available content. Despite some minor shortcomings in its execution and a gameplay style that favors stealth over direct combat, players willing to invest the time will discover a rewarding and immersive gaming experience.