Deus Ex: Human Revolution
- March 20, 2012
- Eidos Montréal
- 30h median play time
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Get on Xbox Games Store"Deus Ex: Human Revolution" is a single-player Sci-Fi Shooter game with an intriguing story, stellar mechanics, and stunning visuals. The game offers a compelling soundtrack, various collectibles, and additional in-game content. Despite some grinding, optimization issues, and bugs, the game provides a dense atmosphere, replayability, and unique humor. The numbered, exclusive box includes a figurine, making-of, soundtrack, motion comic, trailers, and an art book.
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Reviews
- story8,342 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Deus Ex: Human Revolution" is widely praised for its engaging narrative that explores themes of transhumanism, corporate greed, and ethical dilemmas surrounding technology. Players appreciate the depth of the plot, which allows for meaningful choices that impact the story's progression and outcomes, although some criticize the pacing and the integration of the "Missing Link" DLC, which disrupts the main narrative flow. Overall, the game is recognized as a compelling blend of storytelling and gameplay, making it a must-play for fans of the cyberpunk genre.
“The game’s story is one of its greatest strengths, weaving a thought-provoking narrative about transhumanism, corporate greed, and the ethical dilemmas of technological advancement.”
“From its gripping story to its polished mechanics, Human Revolution is a triumph of immersive design.”
“The narrative weaves themes of post-humanism, corporate power, and human morality into a story that is both personal and thought-provoking.”
“The story is lackluster, compounded by an actual interesting DLC that grinds the plot's pace to a halt and overstays its welcome, but the characters are admittedly likable and their performances carry the drama of the plot.”
“The missing link DLC is integrated into the game's story and throws a lot of people off as it temporarily strips you of all your gear and augs.”
“The story is pretty decent, though not amazing. This director's cut doesn't really change anything story-wise, except it inserts the DLC of the original game into this game as a natural part of the narrative.”
- gameplay3,900 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Deus Ex: Human Revolution* is widely praised for its blend of stealth, action, and RPG elements, allowing players to approach missions in various ways, whether through combat, stealth, or hacking. Many reviewers highlight the depth provided by the augmentation system, which enhances gameplay and encourages experimentation with different playstyles. However, some criticisms include clunky shooting mechanics, repetitive gameplay, and poorly designed boss fights that detract from the overall experience, though the engaging story and immersive atmosphere often compensate for these flaws.
“Deus Ex: Human Revolution is a masterclass in blending narrative depth, engaging gameplay, and futuristic aesthetics.”
“The gameplay offers total freedom on how to approach every task, though the best way to play Deus Ex will always be the stealthy one.”
“The gameplay is fantastic and varied, allowing players to tackle missions in multiple ways, whether they prefer stealth, hacking, or combat.”
“The gameplay feels very bare bones and dull, level design is lazy and uninspired, augmentations are boring compared to the original, and I'm not even mentioning the terrible boss battles or the lack of an ending.”
“The gameplay gets repetitive.”
“The gameplay is low to average.”
- graphics2,065 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of *Deus Ex: Human Revolution* are often described as a blend of dated visuals and striking art direction, effectively capturing a unique cyberpunk aesthetic. While some players note that the graphics show their age, particularly in character models and textures, many appreciate the game's atmospheric design and the improvements made in the Director's Cut version. Overall, the visuals are considered solid for a game of its time, with a distinctive style that enhances the immersive experience despite some technical shortcomings.
“This setting is brought to life through gorgeous art direction and a moody soundtrack that perfectly captures the dystopian cyberpunk aesthetic.”
“The graphics are beautiful and the game is laid out so well... as a new gamer, it was hard to progress, but I enjoyed the challenges and the story.”
“The graphics have aged pretty well apart from some of the textures being a bit low resolution.”
“The graphics look outdated as of 2024, but I don't really judge a game by this factor. However, many fans complain about the 'piss filter'; I kind of like it, as it gives the game a style that can't be forgotten.”
“It's unfortunate that the performance is choppy because the graphics look a decade out of date for the year it released.”
“The graphics are a bit dated but still look fine. However, the NPC faces look a bit lifeless and the animation seems choppy.”
- music1,097 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Deus Ex: Human Revolution" is widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively blending electronic and orchestral elements to enhance the game's cyberpunk aesthetic. Composed by Michael McCann, the soundtrack is noted for its ability to evoke tension and emotion, with standout tracks like "Icarus" being particularly memorable. While some reviewers find the music less memorable compared to the original game, many still regard it as a significant highlight that complements the narrative and gameplay beautifully.
“The atmospheric soundtrack further immerses you in this dystopian world, blending electronic tones with haunting melodies.”
“The atmospheric soundtrack by Michael McCann complements the tone perfectly, immersing you in a world of tension and mystery.”
“The soundtrack is phenomenal, the opening sequence is breathtaking, the gameplay is well-rounded, and graphically still holds up very well.”
“A tad bit plain and tropey with generic sci-fi music.”
“The music was not much other than ambient tracks and some synth-heavy combat music; it just wasn't really as memorable as the first game's.”
“The soundtrack is a bit generic, but it manages to nail the atmosphere of the game, which is really all I can ask for.”
- atmosphere672 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Deus Ex: Human Revolution" is widely praised for its immersive cyberpunk setting, characterized by a distinctive gold-black color palette and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the game's tension and narrative depth. Players appreciate the detailed world-building, which effectively conveys a dystopian future filled with moral complexities and societal issues, making the atmosphere a standout feature that draws them back to the game repeatedly. Despite some criticisms regarding dated graphics, the overall ambiance and thematic cohesion remain compelling, solidifying its status as a classic in the genre.
“The atmospheric soundtrack further immerses you in this dystopian world, blending electronic tones with haunting melodies.”
“With its distinctive gold-black color palette and immersive soundtrack, the game creates a dense cyberpunk vibe that remains captivating even today.”
“The atmosphere and design of the game are one of the reasons I come back again and again.”
“The atmosphere in this game is somber, dark, seedy, dystopian, and pessimistic.”
“The graphics and textures are dated; however, the final atmosphere/feel (which is what I consider the most important thing) the game is trying to give is still pretty good, especially in the second map when you look up.”
“The atmosphere is non-existent and graphics look like a blurry mess.”
- optimization424 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 48 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting persistent stuttering, frame drops, and performance issues even on high-end hardware. While some users have found temporary fixes, the overall consensus is that the Director's Cut version is poorly optimized compared to the original, making it difficult to recommend for a smooth gaming experience. Despite its engaging story and gameplay, the technical shortcomings significantly detract from the enjoyment.
“60 fps and no stuttering.”
“It honestly is pretty insane how good this game looks and it is optimized like a mofo on crack!”
“The performance is also very good.”
“The game has severe performance problems, which are not justifiable by the graphics.”
“This version suffers from performance issues, broken lighting effects, and so much more.”
“The director's cut is not optimized and there are a lot of fps drops and stuttering even if you have a powerful rig.”
- replayability365 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is highly praised, with many players noting the freedom of choice in playstyles, multiple paths, and various endings that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, some reviews mention that despite these options, the overall story remains largely unchanged, which can limit replay value for certain players. Overall, it is considered a game with significant replay potential, especially for those who enjoy experimenting with different approaches and character builds.
“This flexibility enhances replayability and ensures that no two playthroughs feel the same.”
“There's lots of potential for replayability as well if you take into account the different playstyles and endings.”
“The game's ability to allow players to play their preferred playstyle is really nice to see; if you want to play stealth, you can, if you want to run and gun, you can, and everything in between, and there are multiple ways to complete objectives, so there is a lot of replayability if you want to try out new things.”
“Limited replayability: despite the freedom of choice, the overall story doesn’t change significantly in subsequent playthroughs, potentially limiting replay value.”
“Unfortunately, right at a great stopping point the story decides to try for round 2, introducing new objectives that simply force the player to backtrack through territory that didn't really have any replay value.”
“The replayability is low because you can choose your ending at the last part of the game and it feels like your actions don't have that much consequence in the end.”
- stability218 mentions
- 10 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting significant bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, particularly in stealth mechanics and AI behavior. While some players experienced smooth performance on high-end systems, others faced frequent crashes, freezes, and inconsistent frame rates, leading to frustration. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a major concern, especially in the director's cut version, which is often described as more buggy than the original release.
“Game appears to be bug free and stable.”
“No bugs, no glitches, just perfect.”
“I've read some of the other reviews where people had issues with the director's cut on the PC.. honestly I have never had a problem with it, it ran as smooth as you could hope for, no snags, no glitches, nothing, just simple gameplay and smooth sailing all the way.”
“Game is frustratingly buggy.”
“I believe I have spent as much time troubleshooting this shoddy port as I have playing it.”
“This game is a broken buggy mess.”
- grinding139 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 12 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and time-consuming, with many players expressing frustration over excessive backtracking, repetitive hacking tasks, and long traversal times. While some find enjoyment in the game's story and mechanics, the overall sentiment suggests that the grinding elements detract significantly from the experience, making it feel laborious and unengaging at times.
“The 'new game +' makes sure replaying is not tedious, especially in the beginning.”
“Additionally, I thought the hacking mini-game was extremely well done. Unlike many hacking mini-games (such as Mass Effect 1 or 2), it is not tedious and boring. The hacking mini-game in Deus Ex requires some planning, strategy, and quick thinking; the hacking mechanic was masterfully implemented.”
“It's tedious.”
“Before anyone says I need to play more and it'll get better; if after an hour of gameplay I feel genuinely bored to tears, you have not created a solid game worth 'grinding 'til it's good'.”
“The game quickly becomes very tedious.”
- humor125 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mix of lowbrow and quirky elements, often found in the dialogue and character interactions, which can range from intentionally funny to hilariously bad. Players appreciate the absurdity of certain scenarios, such as the AI's comical incompetence and the protagonist's dry wit, which adds charm to the overall experience. While some attempts at humor may fall flat, the game is filled with amusing moments, quirky emails, and unexpected interactions that contribute to its entertaining atmosphere.
“There's random bits of humor sprinkled in all throughout the game, like when you have to make short work of the hordes of crazed lunatics clawing at you, which brainlessly and briskly strip away all your alternatives and contingencies. So the humor is intellectual lowbrow, in your face, and quirky as the rest of the game, to say the very least.”
“The characters are hilarious and Adam Jensen is so based I can't even deal with it.”
“The way Jensen spasms as he kills people, how his cape will fly around without any sense of physics, and other graphical oddities may break immersion but are absolutely hilarious 100% of the time.”
“And playing in those conditions is not funny.”
“You spend more time laughing or crying than playing.”
- emotional74 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its thought-provoking narrative, which explores heavy themes such as transhumanism and corporate power, often leading players to experience moral dilemmas and gut-wrenching moments. While some players found the protagonist emotionally flat, the game's soundtrack and immersive world-building contributed significantly to its emotional depth, making for memorable and impactful experiences. Overall, the game successfully evokes a range of emotions, from heartbreak to existential reflection, despite some criticisms regarding character development and narrative closure.
“It's heartbreaking that we won't get closure to Adam's story, but the journey was memorable.”
“The story and plot are super well written and almost made me cry at the end; now I have an emotional attachment to this franchise.”
“One of the most emotional parts of the game for me was saving Malik; I would quit and try again and again, knowing I would not be able to go ahead in this game if I failed to save her.”
“The story is boring; I don't know what else to say about that.”
“This game is disappointing, with limited decision-making and a storyline that feels dull and unengaging.”
- character development71 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and complexity, with many reviewers highlighting the believable and multi-dimensional nature of characters, particularly the protagonist, Adam Jensen. Players appreciate the integration of choices that significantly impact character growth and narrative outcomes, although some express a desire for more background on secondary characters. Overall, the character design and voice acting contribute to a rich, immersive experience, despite some criticisms regarding the linearity of character arcs and the focus on Jensen's story over others.
“The character development is also extremely well done, and nearly every single character is given a thorough background before growing or regressing based on Adam's decisions.”
“Fantastic game, great story, engaging, solid character development.”
“The amount of character development that's within this singular game is amazing.”
“5/10, gameplay is decent if janky, but the worldbuilding, character development, and general writing is passable at best and a nonsensical cringefest at worst.”
“The part where this misses the mark for me is the absolute lack of character development on the part of Adam Jensen.”
“Character development starts strong, but ultimately stops halfway through.”
- monetization36 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 6 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling the director's cut as a cash grab that lacks meaningful updates and improvements. While some users appreciate the absence of microtransactions, others express frustration over the forced toggle for aiming down sights (ADS) and the overall gameplay experience, which they feel is hindered by poor design choices and technical issues. Overall, the sentiment reflects disappointment in the game's monetization strategy and its impact on gameplay quality.
“Microtransactions for a good cause 😈”
“No microtransactions, a full game story, improved game mechanics, and no significant bugs.”
“And there are no microtransactions.”
“It's also apparent that the director's cut is a cash grab by Square Enix and it's vastly inferior to the standard edition.”
“This version of the game is dogshit and is just another cash grab that never got updated by Square Enix!”
“This is essentially a glorified (and badly-executed) patch/cash grab, which reworks a few things (mainly boss fights and DLC integration), but breaks a lot of things that were already fixed in patches.”
