Deus Ex: Breach

About

Deus Ex: Breach is an arcade-style game set in the Deus Ex universe, where you play as a Ripper in 2029, hacking into secure servers to steal and sell classified data. With funds acquired from your heists, upgrade your skills and arsenal to uncover corporate secrets and expose the truth behind the world's most powerful entities. This connected puzzle shooter experience offers a new perspective on the Deus Ex series.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

36%

Audience ScoreBased on 169 reviews

story7 positive mentions

monetization9 negative mentions

The game offers an interesting concept and unique gameplay mechanics that provide a fresh take on the Deus Ex universe.
The visuals and art style are praised for their immersive and futuristic design, creating a captivating atmosphere.
It's free to play, allowing players to experience the game without any initial investment, and it retains some enjoyable elements from the original Deus Ex: Mankind Divided.

The game is heavily criticized for its pay-to-win mechanics, requiring real money for essential items like ammo, which detracts from the overall experience.
Gameplay is often described as repetitive and frustrating, with many players finding the level design and mission objectives lacking in variety and depth.
Technical issues such as poor optimization and server connectivity problems have made the game unplayable for some users, leading to a negative reception.

story
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
79%
10%
The story in "Deus Ex: Breach" is widely criticized for being shallow and poorly executed, primarily conveyed through a tedious instant messaging interface that lacks depth and engagement. Many players feel that the narrative feels like an afterthought, with repetitive mission objectives and uninspired dialogue that detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the standalone missions and the potential for interesting gameplay, the consensus is that the story fails to capture the essence of the main "Deus Ex" series, leaving players wanting more substance and immersion.
- “This game has value; it has an interesting premise and an engaging story that lets you explore the universe more. Gameplay is more of Mankind Divided gameplay without pressure for non-lethal takedowns, allowing the full sandbox.”
- “Despite being arcade-y and not directly related to Adam Jensen's story in the story mode of Mankind Divided, there are narrative mission chains that do have permanent choices you have to make in them.”
- “Deus Ex: Revision nailed this, with bonus missions placing you on both sides of the conflict, which take advantage of the series' strengths.”
- “The story is just plain lazy and takes place entirely through a fake instant messaging service as you contact clients and fellow hackers.”
- “The story and the writing are basic, and some dialogues are outright cringe-worthy, with only the most superficial ties to the Deus Ex narrative.”
- “Too much storyline and voice-over stuff; I can't be bothered waiting half an hour to get to the pew pew.”
gameplay
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
65%
15%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its engaging mechanics and the ability to choose between stealth and aggressive tactics, while others criticize it for being repetitive, clunky, and marred by microtransactions. Players appreciate the interesting premise and the challenge it offers, but many feel that the lack of clear explanations for its mechanics and the need for constant online connectivity detract from the overall experience. Overall, while there are enjoyable elements, the gameplay is often seen as lacking depth and polish compared to the main Deus Ex titles.
- “The game itself is really interesting and fun - in terms of core design, gameplay, content, style, and audio-visual setting, almost nothing but praise from me.”
- “The gameplay, as the main game, can be altered to suit player preferences; stealth or guns blazing.”
- “All the strong gameplay from Mankind Divided is here, just in bite-sized packages this time, and Breach offers its additions such as a double/triple jump; overall, the gameplay is solid and fun.”
- “Fairly interesting concept, unfortunately it's been ruined by boring and repetitive gameplay topped with microtransactions when you least expect it.”
- “Nonsense 'hacking' VR, ultra-repetitive gameplay, no missions, no immersion, no idea why you should do this.”
- “Boring, clunky gameplay which I hope isn't indicative of the 'main' game.”
monetization
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
43%
43%
The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with many reviewers highlighting the aggressive use of microtransactions that detract from the overall experience. While some players report that it is possible to progress without spending money, the overwhelming sentiment is that the monetization feels greedy and poorly integrated, reminiscent of mobile game tactics. Overall, the game's financial model has overshadowed its potential, leading to a negative reception among users.
- “Besides, the microtransactions can hardly help you as most of them seem to be purely cosmetic, and all the weapons or ammo you may need (actually, more than you'll need) can be obtained with in-game credits or as rewards.”
- “2) No microtransactions necessary, I've completed all levels without needing them!”
- “Pretty neat mode even if the microtransactions are pushy, but until it's actually playable, it gets a negative review.”
- “The game is boring, generic, and a pay-to-win cash grab.”
- “In the end, all its strengths pale in comparison to cruelly and cynically designed monetization.”
- “Their monetization for this game has always been absurdly greedy and short-sighted.”
graphics
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
29%
21%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the art style and stunning visuals, while others criticize the performance issues and minimalistic design. Many players report high system requirements leading to lag, even on lower settings, and express disappointment in the overall graphical experience, describing it as confusing and sterile. Overall, while the visuals may initially impress, they often fail to sustain interest due to gameplay limitations and performance problems.
- “The visuals in Deus Ex: Breach are stunning.”
- “It offers a refreshing and challenging experience with its unique gameplay and stunning visuals.”
- “The art style is great, the gameplay also.”
- “In order to cut down on the lag, I turned every one of the graphics settings to their minimum, and it still lags, which means this software was written poorly.”
- “The graphics are very simple and minimalistic, but the game hardly can show 30-35 fps on a GTX 750 Ti 2 GB!”
- “Confusing, graphically sterile, and a desperate cash grab.”
optimization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
20%
50%
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with many users noting it performs worse than Crysis 1, despite having small, intricate levels. Players report significant performance issues, high graphics requirements, and controls that feel unresponsive, making the game nearly unplayable for some. While the art style received some praise, the overall consensus is that the optimization is severely lacking.
- “It is worth noting that the graphics requirements for this game to run smoothly are somewhat high and taxing on your system.”
- “Yes, it is performance-intensive, so read the pinned post in the Steam forum.”
- “The only good thing is the art style and performance.”
- “Worse optimization than Crysis 1, and that's a milestone, lmao.”
- “Terrible performance, which makes it unplayable.”
- “Absolutely terrible optimization.”
grinding
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews highlight that grinding in the game is a significant aspect, often requiring players to invest substantial time or money to progress. While it is possible to complete the game without spending, achieving 100% completion necessitates either extensive grinding for resources or purchasing power-ups, as the game increasingly ramps up difficulty and limits resource availability. Players often find themselves at a standstill, needing to grind for credits or rely on luck with loot boxes to advance.
- “Sure, there's loot boxes and grinding, but Square goes beyond that... you have to pay them cash money to put bullets in your gun!”
- “While completing the game without spending a dime is entirely possible, it requires playing stealth (ammo costs money), a bit of luck in crate drops, or a lot of time (read: grinding).”
- “I managed to get 1 hour into it before I hit my first wall, a mission where you have to take out a tough enemy. Unlike the other missions, takedowns and sneaking were useless, so I'd have to use ammo to defeat the enemy. Unfortunately, ammo cannot be looted; it must be bought directly with credits or acquired through loot boxes. In fact, everything must be bought; there's no reliable way to get an item without grinding or paying up.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The music in the game, composed by Ed Harrison, is widely praised as phenomenal and a standout feature, elevating the overall experience despite the game's shortcomings. The soundtrack, reminiscent of his work on "Deus Ex" and "Neotokyo," is noted for its high quality and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, making it a key reason for players to engage with the title. However, many reviewers feel that even this exceptional music cannot compensate for the game's other flaws.
- “The soundtrack is also done by the legendary Ed Harrison, responsible for tracks on Mankind Divided and the entire Neotokyo OST, an OST so good it has kept the game alive.”
- “The soundtrack and ambience satisfy the high caliber that Deus Ex fans may be used to.”
- “I didn't want to hate this as the soundtrack for it is drop-dead amazing and by the guy who did Neotokyo.”
- “The soundtrack and ambience satisfy the high caliber that Deus Ex fans may be used to, but the music can feel repetitive after multiple playthroughs.”
- “The music lacks variety and becomes monotonous, making it hard to stay engaged during longer sessions.”
- “While the ambient sounds are well-crafted, the overall music experience feels underwhelming and fails to enhance the gameplay.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game features roguelike elements and scarcity systems that enhance replayability by encouraging players to experiment with different tool combinations. Additionally, its non-linear quests demand thoughtful decision-making, adding depth to the replay experience as choices significantly impact gameplay.
- “It has roguelike elements allowing for lots of replayability and scarcity systems encouraging the discarding of tools that are impractical due to space or resources.”
- “This adds a layer of personalization and replayability to the game, as you can try out different combinations to see what works best for you.”
- “Good non-linear quests (darknet files), which require thinking and true decision-making, add to the replayability by ensuring that every choice you make can lead to different outcomes.”
- “The game lacks meaningful choices, making replayability feel pointless since the outcomes are often the same.”
- “Once you've completed the main storyline, there's little incentive to go back and replay, as the side quests don't offer much variety.”
- “The limited character customization options lead to a repetitive experience, diminishing the overall replayability.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is reported to be quite unstable, with frequent bugs that can disrupt gameplay. Users recommend disabling the autosort inventory feature and suggest using Alt-F4 to exit the game to avoid issues, rather than force-quitting through the task manager. Overall, the stability of the game is a significant concern for players.
- “Sometimes buggy; disable autosort inventory and always use alt-F4 to quit if it freezes. Do not force-quit via task manager!”
- “Very buggy game.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players acknowledge that while the microtransaction model can be frustrating, embracing the challenge and accepting limitations can lead to an enjoyable emotional experience within the game.
- “The game takes you on an emotional rollercoaster, making you feel deeply connected to the characters and their struggles.”
- “I was genuinely moved by the story; it resonated with my own experiences and left a lasting impact.”
- “The emotional depth of the narrative is incredible, making every decision feel weighty and significant.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by its captivating neon-lit environments and futuristic architecture, which effectively immerse players in a vibrant and engaging world.
- “The neon-lit environments and futuristic architecture create a mesmerizing atmosphere that truly immerses you in the game.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is derived from its overly aggressive monetization tactics, which players find amusing despite the annoyance. Overall, the game remains enjoyable, with strategies available to progress without spending money.
- “The monetization is so obnoxious it's funny; however, it's still a great game underneath that, and there are definitely strategies to make it through the game without paying.”
- “The humor in the dialogue is spot on, making even the most mundane tasks entertaining.”
- “I found myself laughing out loud at the quirky character interactions and absurd situations throughout the game.”