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Games : Recommended
Ranking:
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Release Date: August 23rd, 2016 Movie Release Year: 2016

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (Digital)

Overview -

It's been five years since 'Deus Ex: Human Revolution' brought the name 'Deus Ex' back to bear on players across a variety of platforms. Eidos Montreal and Square Enix have since grown the brand by leaps and bounds, but what's been missing has been a propel sequel. Over the last two years, 'Deus Ex: Mankind Divided' has existed in previews and similar teases, and all the while, the very combustible world of augmented humans , Adam Jensen, Neuropozine, and Hugh Darrow has been waiting for its next step.

As the 'Mankind Divided' part of the name suggests, things are not all right in the world. Fortunately for players, Jensen, an augmented ex-cop turned agent, though having no taste for intrigue, is nevertheless ready to once more become embroiled in the headlines.

OVERALL:
Recommended
Rating Breakdown
VIDEO
AUDIO
Tech Specs & Release Details
Release Date:
August 23rd, 2016

Video Review

Ranking:

On the PS4, 'Mankind Divided' is uneven in its visuals and in its performance. From the perspective of presentation, the strong to excellent art design is let down in some key areas. The pre-rendered cutscenes can look very soft (and worse on a 4K set), and the animation in the real time cutscenes (especially the facial animation) is very stiff. I had screen-tearing in a few of the bigger real time pieces. Framerate is lousy in several open areas, and these areas usually look like they've been optimized by the removal of polygons and textures. The load times are fine, but I wish that cool reset from the tutorials could be used to greater effect.

Focusing in on these issues is troublesome because interiors and other gameplay areas, along with individual objects (like in the inventory) can be stunning. It's easy to find the equivalent of an excellent matte painting that has been redone in a 3D space.

And who, may I ask, makes better use of the color gold?

While the story is uneven, the simple look of Breach is its own success.

Audio Review

Ranking:

The soundtrack is wonderful, though the preceding game is a tough act to follow. The voice-acting is mainly strong, which can be hard to regard because of the animation. There is the occasionally wooden character or performance.

Here again, the pre-rendered cutscenes stick out in unpleasant way, and this will likely trouble home theater types. Fortunately, the real time cutscenes, gameplay, and metagame are where they should be. There were also many times when I wished I had a special augmentation that could turn off all in-game radios and TVs.

Final Thoughts

As a game, 'Deus Ex: Mankind Divided' has the power to draw me in. That's a power seldom seen at this level, where rebellious heroes and evil organizations are a dime a dozen. With enveloping gameplay, a stimulating story, a signature art style, an excellent soundtrack, and the spin-off-worthy Breach Mode, 'Mankind Divided' is well worth the time and expenditure.