Deus Ex: Human Revolution ★★★★½

Deus Ex: Human Revolution is a prequel to the classic Deus Ex, set in a future 2027 where cybernetic augmentation technology is changing the world. Like the original, it’s both a first-person shooter and a role-playing game. The original Deus Ex was very much about the conspiracy theory, and the writers did a good job of researching real-world theories to work into the storyline. This game focuses more on the ramifications of human augmentation technologies and how it creates haves and have-nots, though there are still some Illuminati references. You can see some interesting adverts from inside the game at Deus Ex: Human Revolution Asks The Tough Questions.

The gameplay is very good: it supports lots of sneaking around and avoiding guards rather than fighting them, and in addition to a lethal sniper rifle, there’s a tranquilizer-dart rifle for people who prefer their body count to be unconscious instead of dead. (The game rewards this with extra experience points, quieter takedowns, and a “Pacifist” trophy. I wound up tranqing or tasering the head of security for Tai Yong Medical three different times and was wishing there was a way to tease him about it.) Like the original, they put a lot of work into the worldbuilding, and it’s worthwhile to talk to almost everyone you meet to get their individual take on the situation— some dialogue does repeat, but it’s rare. There’s also a completely unrealistic “hacking” minigame that lets you break into computers and security systems, which can get you passcodes for breaking into secure locations as well as lots of in-world detail as you eavesdrop on the e-mail between characters in the game. There are also several “social combat” scenes where you can try to talk people around to your point of view (sometimes getting them to avoid a suicidal choice), which can be aided by a very nifty bit of cyberware called a social enhancer that gives you information on what your target’s vital signs say about what they’re thinking.

The story also works well: the hero, Adam Jensen, is the head of security at Sarif Industries, which is attacked and several top scientists abducted. He is gravely wounded in the attack and given a set of cutting-edge military augmentations, and six months later is dragged back in to work from his post-surgical physical therapy when a second attack occurs and his skills are needed. He then starts peeling the layers away to find out who performed the original attack, and why. On the way, there are a lot of side missions that provide moral litmus, finding out who you’ll choose to help in a given conflict.

( Spoilers ahead! )