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
- story6,920 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Deus Ex: Human Revolution" is widely praised for its intricate narrative that explores themes of transhumanism, corporate greed, and moral dilemmas in a dystopian future. Players appreciate the depth of character development and the impact of their choices on the storyline, with multiple paths and endings that enhance replayability. However, some critiques focus on the pacing issues caused by the integration of the "Missing Link" DLC into the main narrative, which disrupts the flow and can detract from the overall experience.
“The story is captivating but the level design is awful; the quests are pretty boring, but tie nicely into the story.”
“The story is full of interesting ideas and cool characters on one hand, but can feel a bit contrived and melodramatic on the other.”
“The story is very good as well, layers and layers of conspiracy—much like the original.”
“The story is lackluster (compounded by an actually 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 final mission and the endings are lame and don't entirely feel like a natural conclusion.”
“The entire plot tries to take itself way too seriously, losing some of the charm and wit of the original.”
- gameplay3,123 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Deus Ex: Human Revolution" is characterized by its solid mechanics that blend stealth, combat, and RPG elements, allowing players to approach challenges in various ways, whether through stealth, hacking, or direct confrontation. While many players appreciate the depth and flexibility of gameplay options, some criticize the shooting mechanics and boss fights as less engaging, with a tendency for the gameplay to feel repetitive over time. Overall, the game is praised for its immersive world, engaging story, and the ability to tailor the experience to individual playstyles, making it a standout title in the cyberpunk genre.
“The four main gameplay pillars—combat, stealth, hacking, and social—are well executed, with the visual design of the environments and the cover system being especially impressive.”
“The gameplay loop is both satisfying and rewarding throughout, allowing for a variety of outcomes that make for an immersive experience.”
“The gameplay is fantastic and varied, offering multiple ways to approach objectives, whether through stealth, combat, or dialogue.”
“This wouldn't be a problem, except you need to invest so many praxis points to even get 5 energy cells, which makes me feel like I got scammed by a poorly explained, yet such an important mechanic of the game.”
“It's just interesting enough that I want to see how it all ends, but I will say, it's taking every ounce of willpower I have not to quit because of how bad the actual gameplay is.”
“The gameplay gets repetitive.”
- graphics1,692 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Deus Ex: Human Revolution" are generally well-received, with many praising its distinctive cyberpunk aesthetic and atmospheric design. While some players note that the visuals show their age, particularly in character models and textures, the overall art direction and environmental detail still create an immersive experience. The director's cut offers slight graphical improvements, but some users feel it lacks the charm of the original's "gold filter," leading to mixed opinions on the visual updates.
“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 enhanced graphics and refined mechanics elevate an already exceptional game, creating a rich and atmospheric experience.”
“The futuristic and golden cyberpunk feeling along with the 2010s graphics, and the phenomenal soundtracks and ambient sounds is just so perfectly made and combined here.”
“The graphics are literal dog shit.”
“The graphics, while not the latest, still manage to convey the cyberpunk aesthetic effectively.”
“The graphics are starting to show their age a little bit, especially in facial animations, but the story is fun, the gameplay stands up alright.”
- music866 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 complementing the game's cyberpunk aesthetic. Composed by Michael McCann, the soundtrack blends electronic and orchestral elements, creating memorable themes that enhance key moments and environments. While some players feel the music may not be as iconic as the original game's score, many still regard it as one of the standout features, contributing significantly to the overall experience.
“The atmospheric soundtrack complements every stealthy move and moral crossroads, enhancing the cinematic feel.”
“The music is a suite-like piece in which it reconciles the human (choral-classical music) and the machine (electronic music) through a phase of transhumanism's evolution.”
“The soundtrack is absolutely gorgeous, such as the main theme music, the various ambience around the Detroit and Hengsha hubs, or just any of the songs that play at emotional climaxes.”
“The music is pretty generic.”
“My final complaint is so minor that it isn't really a complaint, but 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.”
- atmosphere547 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Deus Ex: Human Revolution" is widely praised for its immersive cyberpunk aesthetic, blending futuristic technology with a gritty, dystopian vibe. Reviewers highlight the game's compelling art direction, atmospheric soundtrack, and rich world-building, which together create a unique and engaging experience that resonates with themes of human augmentation and corporate intrigue. Despite some criticisms regarding dated graphics and occasional immersion-breaking elements, the overall atmosphere is considered one of the game's strongest aspects, drawing players into its complex narrative and richly detailed environments.
“The atmosphere and music are amazing, and some of the augmentations are just awesome.”
“The atmospheric soundtrack complements every stealthy move and moral crossroads, enhancing the cinematic feel.”
“The atmosphere is simply phenomenal.”
“Concerning the atmosphere, the yellowish tint just felt weird, somewhat immersion breaking at times.”
“It doesn't even have a cyberpunk atmosphere, no 'high-tech, low life' - even the hobos here look safe and happy!”
“De:hr is a modern title, however, it is starting to show its age already, graphically it is okay, as someone who prefers gameplay and mechanics over graphical beauty, i must say that most of the game looks very plastic and lifeless, textures and details are decent at best, many of the NPCs we see around look like mannequins and choppy.”
- optimization332 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 48 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game, particularly in its Director's Cut version, has been widely criticized for persistent stuttering and frame rate drops, even on high-end PCs. Many users report that despite various tweaks and fixes, the performance issues remain significant, making the game frustratingly unplayable for some. While a few players have managed to achieve smoother gameplay through specific adjustments, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized compared to its original release.
“It honestly is pretty insane how good this game looks and it is optimized like a mofo on crack!”
“Game runs smoothly even using a potato PC.”
“The performance was highly scalable.”
“Given that this is an 11-year-old game and my PC specs are so high, I think it is poorly optimized.”
“The game was stuttering throughout my whole playthrough.”
“This version suffers from performance issues, broken lighting effects, and so much more.”
- replayability300 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, allowing players to explore multiple playstyles, techniques, and endings, which encourages numerous playthroughs. With various ways to approach missions and a New Game+ mode that retains character upgrades, players can continually discover new experiences and outcomes. While some players noted that certain elements, like the Missing Link DLC, may detract from the overall experience, the game's depth and choice-driven narrative significantly enhance its replay value.
“Replayable loads of times; you can try different playstyles, techniques, endings, and side quests, go for achievements, or just follow the story.”
“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.”
“The replayability is amazing, due to the diverse level design; playing through a difficult area in one playthrough may be a breeze next playthrough due to a hidden area in the environment/dialogue option.”
“Although the game was pretty good, the forced missing link DLC makes it not replayable as that part of the game was jarring and overstayed its welcome.”
“All in all it is a great game, a bit short and for me no replayability since the game is pretty much linear.”
“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.”
- stability181 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 enemy detection. Overall, the game appears to be less stable than its predecessors, with many recommending caution before purchasing due to the potential for frustrating technical issues.
“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.”
“I would not recommend purchasing this as you have no way of knowing if your PC will actually be able to run it and your troubleshooting may not yield results.”
“The director's cut version is unfortunately buggy and contains many minor, yet annoying issues that don't ruin the experience, but make the game feel much worse, as if it's missing the final layer of polish that was present in the original version.”
“This game is a broken buggy mess.”
- grinding117 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players expressing frustration over the excessive backtracking, lengthy hacking sequences, and slow-paced traversal. While some find enjoyment in the story and atmosphere, the overall sentiment is that the grinding elements detract from the gameplay experience, making it feel laborious and disconnected from the narrative. Players often feel that the game requires an excessive time investment to achieve completion, leading to a sense of boredom and fatigue.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“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, it is not tedious and boring. The hacking mechanic in Deus Ex requires some planning, strategy, and quick thinking, and was masterfully implemented.”
“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 forced DLC mission is excruciatingly tedious and not fun to go through, and in this version of the game, you'll be forced to go through with it.”
“The actual hacking is fun to start off with but once you've upgraded your hacking abilities fully it's way too easy to hack in successfully and so it becomes tedious.”
- humor108 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a mix of lowbrow and quirky, often arising from absurd situations, clumsy AI, and intentionally bad dialogue that adds charm rather than detracts from the experience. Players find humor in the protagonist's dry wit, the ridiculousness of certain scenarios, and the game's various glitches, which contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere despite its serious themes. Overall, the humor is seen as a significant and enjoyable aspect, enhancing the game's appeal through funny encounters and clever writing.
“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.”
“Funny enough, I didn't think that'd work the first time around, but it's these little freedoms, like some doors that can be destroyed by shotguns/explosives if you failed hacking or using the environment to get over tall obstacles if you don't have super jump legs yet, that make this game a joy to play and replay.”
“And playing in those conditions is not funny.”
“You spend more time laughing and crying than playing.”
- emotional65 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its thought-provoking narrative, which explores themes of transhumanism, corporate greed, and ethical dilemmas, often leading to gut-wrenching moments for players. While some found the protagonist, Jensen, to be emotionally flat, the game's soundtrack and immersive world-building effectively evoke strong feelings and connections to the story. Overall, players experienced a mix of emotional engagement, from memorable character interactions to impactful moral choices, making the journey both compelling and occasionally heart-wrenching.
“It's heartbreaking that we won't get closure to Adam's story, but the journey was memorable.”
“The soundtrack also deserves a special mention because it truly encapsulates the feeling of Deus Ex as a whole, providing an epic score of emotional but revolutionary-sounding music, blending a mixture of the old and new.”
“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 progress in this game if I failed to save her.”
- character development56 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally praised for its depth and complexity, with many characters exhibiting believable growth influenced by player choices and moral dilemmas. While the protagonist, Adam Jensen, is noted for his tough-guy persona, some reviews express a desire for more background on supporting characters and a more balanced focus on their development. Overall, the game successfully combines engaging storytelling, character design, and immersive world-building, though some players feel that certain characters lack sufficient development.
“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.”
“The part where this misses the mark for me is the absolute lack of character development on the part of Adam Jensen.”
“Con - the bad thing this game has is the character development; the history focuses too much on Adam and his quest, and other characters don't get into the spotlight. The world is big, but you can't call it an open-world experience since it's linear and 90% of the NPCs don't serve any purpose.”
“There wasn't enough character development for many of the characters in the game.”
- monetization32 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and a complete story without cash grabs, while expressing frustration over gameplay mechanics like the toggle-only aim down sights (ADS) feature. Many users feel that the game suffers from technical issues, such as stuttering during ADS, which detracts from the overall experience. Overall, there is a desire for more traditional gameplay mechanics and quality of life improvements, alongside a critique of the current state of the gaming industry regarding monetization practices.
“Microtransactions for a good cause 😈”
“No microtransactions.”
“No microtransactions, a full game story, improved game mechanics, and no significant bugs.”
“Gaming industry has degraded so much that nowadays there are almost no big single-player games with great story, gameplay, and without repetitive quests, boring grind, experience boosters, and microtransactions.”
“This is essentially a glorified (and badly-executed) patch/cash grab, which reworks a few things but breaks a lot of things that were already fixed in patches.”
“It's toggle by default and you just can't change it, so you're stuck with toggle to iron sights, which is annoying as hell for me because I've used hold to aim down sights for years.”
