Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, the eagerly awaited sequel to the acclaimed Human Revolution, plunges players back into the intricate and morally ambiguous world of cybernetic conspiracies and political unrest. Developed by Eidos-Montreal and published by Square Enix, this action role-playing game continues the legacy of its predecessors while introducing new elements. With its captivating narrative, immersive world-building, and deep gameplay mechanics, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided secures its place in the cyberpunk pantheon, even though it falls slightly short of its lofty expectations.
One of the standout features of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is its continuation of the thought-provoking narrative that the series is known for. Set in a world where the tension between augmented and non-augmented individuals is at an all-time high, players once again take on the role of Adam Jensen, a mechanically augmented operative. The game delves into themes of discrimination, conspiracy, and the consequences of human augmentation, offering a compelling and relevant narrative that encourages players to consider the ethical implications of their choices.
The game's world-building is a testament to the developers attention to detail. The dystopian Prague, divided into segregated districts, feels like a living and breathing environment. The intricately designed locations, along with the visual storytelling through environmental cues and NPC interactions, create a sense of immersion that draws players deeper into the game's universe.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided continues the tradition of choice-driven gameplay, allowing players to approach objectives and challenges in various ways. The flexibility of Jensen's augmentations offers a wide range of playstyles, from stealthy infiltration to all-out combat. The game encourages experimentation and creative problem-solving, providing a sense of agency and control over the unfolding narrative.
However, the game is not without its shortcomings. While the narrative is engaging, the pacing can feel uneven, with moments of intense action and intrigue occasionally interrupted by slower segments. Additionally, the main story thread, while compelling, lacks the same level of cohesion and impact as its predecessor. Certain plotlines and character arcs feel underdeveloped, leaving players craving a more immersive and satisfying narrative experience.
Furthermore, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided introduces a microtransaction system for in-game purchases, a decision that drew criticism from the player community. Although these microtransactions are optional and do not significantly impact gameplay, their inclusion can detract from the overall experience and immersion.
In terms of technical performance, the game also faced some launch issues, including optimization problems and occasional graphical glitches. While these issues have been largely addressed through patches, they did impact the initial experience for some players. What did not get addressed though is the game crashing pretty frequently. In our playthrough we experienced a lot of random crashes.
In conclusion, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided delivers a solid entry into the franchise with its engaging narrative, intricate world-building, and versatile gameplay mechanics. While it may not reach the same heights as its predecessor, it successfully carries the torch of the cyberpunk legacy. The uneven pacing and narrative shortcomings prevent it from achieving a higher score, but Deus Ex: Mankind Divided earns a respectable 7 out of 10 panda's on our scale. Fans of the series and enthusiasts of the cyberpunk genre will find plenty to enjoy in this immersive and morally complex adventure.
Check out our gaming themed mouse pads here!