Deus Ex: Human Revolution Review

The year is 2027 and human augmentation technology is becoming a radical science for humanity. Augmentations allow for improved military functionality, stealth and weapons, but can also be beneficial for humans as augs can restore sight to the blind a allow paraplegics to walk. Some feel augmentation is impure to the true meaning of humanity while others prefer to have more augmentation than skin. Meet Adam Jensen, ex-S.W.A.T. member. At the start of the game, he is badly hurt while working for the company he is employed to protect. In turn, his boss saves his life through major augmentation. This gives an excuse as to upgrade many aspects of combat, like Dermal Armour, invisibility, super strength, seeing through walls and many more. Deus Ex is a third person shooter mixed with stealth and RPG elements, but let's start with the visuals.


The story in this game is epic, telling the tales of a global conspiracy revolving around mega corporations that have more power than the government. Needless to say, it's awesome. The script is also really strong, with the occasional blip here and there with some awkward text. Most of the characters are interesting, if not all that likeable. The real star is Jensen. You can make him the bad-ass resentful type, or the heroic guy who strives for good and justice. His voice acting is awesome too, whereas the rest of the actors range from average to awful. The graphics aren't super strong, but the art direction and style are stunning. The whole game reminds me of Bladerunner in the placements of buildings and streets. While the setting is very sleek and futuristic, there are many elements of the Italian history poking through. You can see the influence in the clothing, the augmentations and even in some of the story. Also, there's this sun yellow tint throughout the game which looks really cool.


The gameplay in Human Revolution plays like a third person shooter, but don't expect Gears of War. You take a lot of damage and you die very quickly, which opens up the option for stealth. But here's the great thing about this game; there are so many options to approach one situation. You can kill everything in sight if that's the way you've chosen to play, or you can invisi-stealth past people or you can 1337 HaX0r you're way in or you can even talk your way in. Here's an example. I had to break into this police station, but I wasn't permitted access. I didn't want a shoot out because a character relating to a side quest was there and he needed to live. So, I managed to convince the secretary to let me in. A friend of mine however couldn't be bothered with the side quests and used his super strength to move a piece of cover into place and from there killed everyone. However, while traversing the building, we both found vents and alternate entrances into the building, which were intended for stealth. 


Deus Ex; Human Revolution's level design is superb. The combat is awesome. You have a variety of weapons at your disposal like shotguns and pistols, but also some stranger ones like plasma cannons and spartan lasers...uh
But you can only carry what you can fit in your inventory (the inventory is awesome) Big, powerful guns take up a lot of space whereas smaller ones don't. This makes for some strategic thinking. The weapons can also be upgraded with stuff like silencers, extra clips, laser sight and exploding rounds. Jensen himself can be upgraded. Whenever you earn enough XP (for completing missions, killing goons and exploring) you earn a Praxis kit, which can be spent on Augmentations. These are things like steadying you sights, extra armour, invisibility, bigger inventory, improved hacking and double takedowns. I'm leaving a lot out though, there are so many more. Basically, this game is bliss. Insane story, insane setting, insane gameplay. In fact, you'd have to be insane not to buy this. 


Whazzat? u wanna no if der r bad thinks abot dis gaem???\
Well, there are a few problems. As mentioned before, some of the voice acting is poor, but the game's weakness comes from its map. Sure, it's not a big complaint, but city hub area's are so poorly designed (not the mission area's, they're awesome) It takes ages to find anything and you spend WAY too long searching for things. Oh, and the boss fights suck. Like, really suck. They take away the choice element of the game and throw you into boring and frustrating confrontations that take way too long. 
Aside form these minor problems, Deus Ex: Human Revolution is a fantastic game. Go pick it up. You will thank me.