Skip to main content

Better Late Than Never Review: Deus Ex Mankind Divided


The original Deus Ex has become the equivalent of a cult film in the video game world.  A winning combination of difficult gameplay, freedom to choose your own paths, and character progression make it stand out even today. And just like other cult properties a modern remake/reimagining/prequel/new one was inevitable. Human Revolution filled this role some years ago and I remember really liking it. A strong visual style, solid gameplay, and a good story.

Mankind Divided takes the approach that I wish more sequels would. Keep what was good about the last game, improve or remove what wasn't, add more features.  For this game that translates to new locations and augments. These are the biggest and most obvious changes but there are other more subtle ones as well.

The visual style I mentioned earlier is still there but there's been obvious attempts to change it up. For example the first hub city is explored during daylight hours and in a way it's really cool to see this near future world in stark daylight compared to the dark locals of the last game.

The gameplay is nearly identical to that of Human Revolution. For me this is fine since I loved the last game. The new augments are fun and add new options to each mission. Like before, you have the same hub cities with side missions, places to visit, and a story mission.

There are, however some things that have taken a step backwards. The characters over emote during dialog segments and with only so many reactions these become over-done and annoying fast.  Also, the last game had a clear Neo-noir feel in the vein of Blade Runner or Neuromancer. This game has some of that, but the plot and settings don't quite fit the genre. Finally, the pure stealth and no-kill runs seem to depend too much on luck rather than skill.

The good:
-The new augments are fun and change the style of the game
-Exploration is rewarded and there are multiple paths to most objectives.

The bad:
-fully stealth and no-kill options are difficult.
-the character models in dialogue segments have repetitive reactions.

What's good about mankind divided is that it's a sequel that asks and answers rough questions. The end of Human Revolution left a lot of things and people hanging. Rather then leaving things open this game, like life, forces you to deal with the consequences. Like life, they're often depressing.

If you enjoyed the last game then you will find Mankind Divided a worthy sequel. If you didn't, then maybe you'd be better off reinstalling the original.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The End

Today we end things on Breweriesandgames! in much the same way that we began, with a post whose first draft started in the notes app of my phone.  Our last post a year and a half after we began. Before I get into the meat of  things here’s your to-long, didn’t-read. We’re closing up.  This may not come as a surprise to longtime readers as it’s no secret that posts have been few and far between lately. To say nothing of having missed several important dates. Consistency is an important part of content creation and we haven’t been meeting the goals we set for ourselves. These also aren’t the only goals that aren’t being met.  I have a number of responsibilities, like anyone, and those have only grown in the past year and a half.  While I’ve never considered my obligations here any less important than other writing obligations, they do need to take a back seat to some of practical obligations in my life. In dividing my time, all parts have suffered. It’s n...
Post a Comment
Read more

Bonus DLC Review: Assassins Creed Syndicate: Jack the Ripper

This DLC does what all good additional content for a game should do; add new features while expanding on the setting. The game is fun and probably the best way to tell a side story in the Assassins Creed universe.  It's now 1888 and Evie has been called back from India to London. The city is gripped in terror due to the vicious murders by 'Jack the Ripper'. Jacob has also gone missing so it's up to Evie to save the city and her twin.  Narratively the game switches between Evie and Jack (the Ripper) as the former is investigating and hunting down the latter. As Evie your not only trying to stop the Ripper but save your brother and the Assassin Order itself which is at risk of exposure by the Ripper. I don't want to get further into the plot for fear of spoilers.  Functionally, you spend most of the game as Evie and all side missions are hers.  You have only two neighborhoods to explore this time, all with a bunch of things to find. The game world i...
Post a Comment
Read more

Brewery Review: Gordon Biersch SLC

A brewery in an airport!?  What a scandal. Or at least it would have been once. Breweries are everywhere else these days, and some airlines offer craft brews in-flight. So why not have one at an airport, even if it's in a limited capacity. This week we went through the Salt Lake International Airport and saw an old friend. Flagship: multiple Kids: yes Dogs: airport rules Do they brew there: no Food: full menu Has guest taps: yes Events: no Outside seating: no Wifi: yes We've talked about Gorden Biersch before so I'm going to highlight what this place does different. The place is spacious, for an airport at least, and has the usual seating.  Booths and tables encircle a sizable bar.  Being in a busy airport GB was crowded both times I visited.  The whole place sits raised above the security checkpoint with a great view of the nearby mountains the other way.  Now for this next part we need to do a little background. Salt Lake City is in Utah, ...
Post a Comment
Read more