Deus Ex: Breach
- January 24, 2017
- Eidos Montreal
Get on SteamDeus 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.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game is free to play, making it accessible to a wide audience.
- Some players find the gameplay fun and challenging, with a good mix of puzzles and action.
- It serves as a decent introduction to the mechanics of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided.
- The game is criticized for being repetitive, boring, and lacking a coherent story.
- Many players report poor optimization and technical issues, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- There are significant concerns about the game's reliance on microtransactions and a pay-to-win model.
- story60 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 88 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is criticized for being dull and lacking depth, with many players feeling that it fails to engage them due to repetitive gameplay and uninspired dialogue. While there are some non-linear quests that offer meaningful choices, the overall narrative experience is described as soulless and tedious, leading to a lack of immersion. Players suggest that the game would benefit from a more substantial and engaging storyline, as the current missions often feel disconnected and unfulfilling.
“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.”
“Mid-late game missions tend to get your heart pumping real hard as the struggle gets heavier.”
“Good non-linear quests (darknet files), which require thinking and true decision making (imagine Deus Ex where every choice you make is non-replayable and linked to your account forever. Hardcore!)”
“And don't even try to find a story.”
“The mission dialogues and interactions are so ridiculously dull and soulless that I just skipped through everything, because seriously, it's hard to get anyone to care if there's just dull text, and text, and text, and text, and text, and then more text!”
“Too much storyline and voice-over stuff; I can't be bothered waiting half an hour to get to the action.”
- gameplay24 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews are mixed, with some praising the solid mechanics and progression reminiscent of "Deus Ex: Mankind Divided," while others criticize it for being repetitive, clunky, and driven by microtransactions. The hardcore nature of the gameplay demands strategic thinking and patience, which may deter casual players. Overall, the experience is described as fun for fans of the genre, but marred by issues like resource scarcity and a mobile game feel.
“I would definitely recommend this free game if you like progression and the Deus Ex mechanics.”
“Hardcore gameplay requires you to plan your actions carefully and may involve failing multiple times before achieving victory.”
“All the strong gameplay from Mankind Divided is here, just in bite-sized packages this time, and Breach offers additions such as a double/triple jump; overall, the gameplay is solid and fun.”
“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.”
“Its got all the signs: constant online connection needed, incredibly scarce resources, pitiful experience and credit rewards for replaying missions, gameplay driven by loot boxes, and a level select screen straight from any mobile game.”
- monetization10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has received mixed reviews; while some players appreciate that microtransactions are not necessary to complete the game and primarily offer cosmetic items, others feel that the presence of in-app purchases is forced and detracts from the overall experience. Critics describe the monetization approach as a potential cash grab, suggesting it may alienate players who prefer a more straightforward gameplay experience without financial pressure.
“No microtransactions necessary; I've completed all levels without needing them!”
“Hardcore gameplay and high demand for the player's patience and strategic thinking may scare the weak and make them complain about 'necessary microtransactions' with no real reasons.”
“Maybe I would like it with fewer forced in-app purchases; if you consider installing it, just don't do it.”
“Confusing, graphically sterile, and a desperate cash grab.”
“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.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are criticized for being overly simplistic and minimalistic, leading to a visually sterile experience that quickly becomes repetitive. Players report poor performance, struggling to achieve 30-35 fps even on decent hardware, and describe the art style as unappealing and reminiscent of mobile games. Overall, the graphical design fails to impress and is seen as a significant drawback.
“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.”
“The art style is just bad.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with users describing it as "absolutely terrible" and "a piece of garbage." Despite the small yet intricate maps, players feel the excessive system requirements are unjustified, indicating significant issues with performance.
“Absolutely terrible optimization.”
“The optimization is a complete failure; all maps are small but intricate, yet that is no excuse for these excessive requirements.”
“Badly optimized.”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players express frustration with the grinding mechanics, noting that essential resources like ammo must be purchased with credits or obtained through loot boxes, leaving little room for looting or strategic gameplay. This reliance on grinding or spending money to progress can create significant barriers, especially when facing tougher enemies that require more resources. While farming credits is seen as manageable, the overall experience is marred by the necessity of grinding for items.
“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 (infinite resources), 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.”
“Farming levels for XP would simply raise difficulty above and beyond.”
“Farming credits isn't as bad as you might think.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the game's non-linear quests, particularly the darknet files, which demand thoughtful decision-making. However, the permanent consequences of choices can limit replayability, as decisions are irrevocably tied to the player's account.
“The game features excellent non-linear quests (darknet files) that require critical thinking and genuine decision-making. It's like imagining a scenario where every choice you make is non-replayable and permanently linked to your account. Hardcore!”
“The non-linear quests in the game provide a unique experience that encourages players to think deeply and make meaningful decisions, enhancing the overall replayability.”
“The non-linear quests are interesting, but every choice feels permanent and non-replayable, which limits the overall experience.”
“The game has good non-linear quests, but the fact that every decision is linked to your account forever makes it feel less replayable.”
“Imagine a game where every choice you make is non-replayable; it really takes away from the fun of exploring different outcomes.”
