Deus Ex: Human Revolution | B+

Eleven years ago, Deus Ex captivated PC gamers with an intricate, conspiracy-laden storyline, open-ended mission structure and hybrid RPG/FPS gameplay. Deus Ex: Human Revolution is the third game of the franchise and, fortunately, this latest installment shares many of the features that made the original title great.

Human Revolution is a prequel to the first Deus Ex. Players are cast into an engrossing and believable future in which society is split over bionic augmentation technology that promises to fully unlock human potential. Players assume the role of Adam Jensen, a security consultant for one of the world's leading augmentation manufacturers. After a brazen attack leaves him critically wounded, Jensen receives mechanical enhancements in an effort to save his life. Jensen is subsequently thrown into a global conspiracy that takes him to locales around the world, such as Detroit and Shanghai.
 

One of the central facets of Human Revolution's gameplay is choice. Any objective can be dealt with in a of number ways, whether it be through stealth, combat or a combination of the two. While neither the stealth nor the FPS mechanics feel particularly outstanding, both are fleshed out enough that whatever option players choose will be satisfying.
Customization is another important aspect of Human Revolution. As players progress through the game, they earn Praxis Points, which upgrade the functionality of Jensen's augmentations. There are numerous upgrades to choose from, and while some feel decidedly more effective than others, none of them are completely useless. This gives players the option to customize their character according to their preferred approach.
 

Human Revolution does make a few missteps. For a game that emphasizes choice, there are certain instances in which players are forced to adopt a specific style of play. Boss fights will always play as shooting sections. Players who choose augmentations that compliment a stealthy style of play will feel punished by these already tedious sequences. Conversely, side missions, while plentiful and varied, mostly seem to be stealth-based, so players who have neglected to upgrade their hacking skills may not be able to complete some of these parts.
The game's AI also suffers from problems. Enemies are not particularly intelligent, and this is especially apparent during firefights. NPCs have a tendency to carelessly exit cover and leave themselves wide open for attack. There are other technical issues as well — loading times are long, some animations feel dated and PC users may face stability problems during cutscenes.
 

Despite a few nuisances Human Revolution is a worthy addition to the Deus Ex franchise. With an intricate plot, six different endings and multifaceted gameplay, the game naturally invites multiple playthroughs. Human Revolution is sure to please both old fans of and newcomers to the franchise.