Reviews

• gamedeal user

  Dec 27, 2021

  I don't why but after I've reached what I assume was the final act of the this pretty great story, I tried to load back to a previous save and the game simply crashed. Thought it was a one time thing but nope, when I try to load back to the same save, the game crashes every time. My previous save? An auto save in a seriously crampled situation, however, one that I managed to get out of, catch-up with where I was forcefully kicked out of, got a save hoping this won't happen again, yet when I f*ck up eventually and decide to load back to the said save, the game crashes yet one more time. Now my last accessible save is almost at the beginning of the DLC because for some reason after a certain point you basically can't load back to a save file... I hate to end Mankind Divided on such a sour note. My plan was the play this one then the System Rift DLC but now I'm just annoyed, since I was forcefully made to hate a part of my experience with it, given the fact that the main game was a solid, solid experience with just some few flaws here and there. I don't know if this happened to everybody but all I got out of this was a promising story and setting with challenging stealth gameplay ruined by technical difficulties. I can't recommend it.
• gamedeal user

  Dec 25, 2022

  Much Better

  - Did you like being Augmented? - Have you tried not being Augmented? - What if you had to be ... Normal? Well, now you can. This is Deus Ex ... as a normal human. No hacking, cloaking, or high jumps, you're just an average meat stick unable to throw even the weakest of punches. That's right; all of the things that regular people can (or can't) do are now your limitations too. Turns out, controlling more than cameras through a computer takes augmented intelligence, and punching people out takes superhuman strength. Welcome to jail, where cybernetics are the new black. 1) The Story The DLC takes place sometime during, or after, Mankind Divided where you, Adam Jensen, are talking to the psychologist at TF29 about one of the earliest missions you undertook for the organization. The actual Story you recount takes place sometime after Human Revolution but before the start of Mankind Divided. This has the same plot hole as the main game: Adam Jensen supposedly dies at the end of HR but whatever. Anyway, you are tasked with infiltrating a SuperMax prison specially built just for Augmented people like you. At the very start, the prison disables all of your augmentations up to and including hacking computers to any degree (mostly). You are now forced to play as Pre-Human Revolution Jensen, no Augs, nothing. It is kind of like a cyberpunk version of Escape Plan. Shortly into the story, you are given the choice to reclaim your abilities. From this point on, you can either: say no to drugs and play story-canon, or you can go beast mode, reclaim your abilities, and go to town on the prison. Either way, you are tasked with finding an inside agent and getting them out while also participating in a prison riot. There are quite a few turns here and there when it comes to who is good or bad and what side everyone is on. In the end, the riot takes over the prison, you and the other agent make it to the escape platform, and you get one major decision to make. All in all, this was a much more compelling story than the System Rift DLC, and even though this was longer, it was not long enough to begin feeling stale before the end. It also gives a good reason to play through more than once, try an alternate play style and/or make the opposite decisions. You also cannot "die" as this is a recounting of past event. Should you meet your end, the doctor will kindly remind you that it didn't happen that way or else you wouldn't be here right now. This also leads to moments of voice-over narration during certain choices you make. 2) The Gameplay The gameplay can go one of two ways. Play nice (the canon way) and you'll be forced to play as a normal human just as Jensen was in the prologue of Human Revolution. You'll get a sense real quick of how much you truly relied on all of your "upgrades". Nothing says this more than when you can't even get through a level 1 door without a multi-tool. Better keep an eye out for those codes. Speaking of codes, most doors and computers do have codes so you can get around eventually. Playing nice also means you will be sneaking around A LOT. This is mainly due to the fact that It IS a Prison, and there will be a lot of guards and cameras. And since this IS Deus Ex, there will also be a lot of: lasers, drones, turrets, robots, and guards in exosuits. Plus, since everyone knows just how strong you are (or can be), they'll have the firepower to match. The DLC is more challenging than the main game, especially if you try to fight your way out. There are many more guards and cameras to contend with when hiding, and guards usually have longer, more complicated patrol routes, or randomly cycle between two different ones. Should you choose to regain your abilities, you get two choices. You can either play with canon mods (those you had in Human Revolution), or gain access to the experimental ones (from Mankind Divided). Hacking upgrades were the most useful while Combat mods went underused. Honestly, other than Remote Hacking, the experimental mods are completely useless. Remote Hacking was only useful due to the overabundance of TVs, cameras, lasers, turrets, drones, and robots. Obviously, you're "not supposed to know" about the experimental upgrades at this point in time but it's nice that they give you the option. Another question is also posed at this point. Once you regain access to your upgrades, you only have some of your mods, and basic levels at that. If this really does take place after Human Revolution, how come you aren't some Stealth Hacker Tank rather than simply Factory Basic? Should you choose to regain access to your mods, don't worry; you'll get plenty of upgrade points along the way. Most of the Praxis points are found simply by exploring the area. There are over 30 Praxis kits to find just lying around. You get several more from completing mission objectives, exploration bonuses, hacking, and fighting. By the end, I had almost all of the original Augs maxed out, even with Remote Hacking fully upgraded. Once again, this DLC gives good reason to play through more than once. You can get all of the achievements in one playthrough but a second play through, with all stops removed, makes for a good time. 3) Glitches and Goofs There are a few glitches that carry over from the main game. First is the item physics, it is still just as shifty as it was but at least there is less chance to actually experience it. Second is the chance for enemies to get stuck in the level geometry. With plenty of guards to knock out and hide, you may experience the occasional limb getting stuck in a wall or floor. One of the most noticeable glitches was when it came to being "Normal". Normally, Hacking is supposed to be achievable only through the use of Augmentations but, for some reason, there are times when you can choose to hack level 1 locks and computers without it. It doesn't always happen, and which locks it happens on can change, but there are times when you check a lock and the Hack option is available. *Side note* you can still "hack" using multi-tools; they're just limited in supply. The DLC, thankfully, does not recycle many assets from the main game. It is mostly a new location with only standard props being reused. Conclusion I enjoyed playing through this DLC. In fact, it was fun the second time around as well. It is only really good for two plays through though. It is really tempting to unleash your Augs because of how used to them you've gotten over the past two games. It was refreshing, yet frustrating, to go from Stealth Hacker Maniac, knocking out everyone I meet, to just Stealth and having to find ways around locked doors and to avoid enemies (that is until i found, and became, the Taser Maniac). I don't feel the DLC is worth its full price but if you can get it on any sale, it is more than worth it.
• gamedeal user

  Feb 24, 2017

  Not as long as I had hoped for (about 3 hours, but I didn't do everything you could) and a satisfying conclusion to Deus Ex, for now. If you're a big fan of the series, it's fantastic, but if Deus Ex isn't too high on your favorites list you might want to wait for a sale.
• gamedeal user

  Feb 24, 2017

  I got thrown into a prison, made some friends among the criminals, took a pill and bought stuff from a stuffed fox toy ... no wonder why the psychologist had some questions about the reports. I really enjoyed this dlc especially the challenge to play it without augs. story was nice and the characters aren't bad either but do not expect any big hints for the main story. like system rift this is just a extra mission which fits into Jensens life as an agent. only thing to complain like with everything in DXMD it could have been a bit longer. if your unsure if it's worth the full price better grab it during a sale.
• gamedeal user

  Feb 25, 2017

  With all the talks about the next game getting cancelled I was afraid the devs will just go the easiest route and we will get a half-assed product, released just because they promised two story DLCs to the people who bought Season Pass. And I couldn't be more wrong. What we got instead is one brilliant, self-contained DLC, filled with memorable moments. The story structure is perfect and manages both to fill some of the gap between Human Revolution and Mankind Divided and add some closure to MD ending. The length - even if not impressive on its' own (it took me like 12 hours to finish, but I was really taking my time, postponing the inevitable, playing without any augs and visiting every single corner of the map) - is long enough for the experience to be fulfilling and not too long, so it wouldn't call for a change in scenery. Writing is brilliant, story is well paced, suspenseful and serious and full of drama yet still managing a more light-hearted edge at points, new characters are all unique and believable (my NPC of the year award goes to warden "it's been a while since I boot-fucked a door" Stenger, but the competition was tight. Btw, Stenger is also the real name of Red Baron from TW3 and I'm pretty sure that's not a coincidence). This side story also did what MD story was circling upon but was never courageous enough to show: the protagonist in a truly desperate situation, brought to his knees (literally), stripped out of power and having to fight his way through without any help or support. MD tried to induce that feeling, with all the talks about Augs being persecuted, the police brutality and the segregation, but it never drove the point all the way through. Here, it's a different piece of cake. And I love it, even if the intro cinematics was painful to watch for someone with at least a bit of empathy left (and I mean it in a good way, if that's even possible). Speaking of which, the animations in cutscenes are amazing. Even the dialogue animations got improved a bit (although, the lipsync is still broken, but at this point I suspect it's an issue with the engine and thus unfixable, because all the other problems got addressed). Level design is just as good as in the main game (and I would argue it's even better at some points), the location is massive and has this oppressive atmosphere I would expect out of an aug-only prison in DX universe, yet still features countless routes for exploration. The design is impeccable, brutalist and futuristic but utilitarian; visual effects (blinding sun rays, dust particles in the air) uphold the depressing feeling of the place even when you are out in the open. And then there's the voice acting. I expected it to be good, seeing as it was one of the strongest points of MD, but it still blew me out of the water. Toufexis absolutely killed it. Every. Single. Line. And if this dude doesn't make it to the greatest voice actors of all time hall of fame one day, this world deserves to die in a big fiery ball of destruction and anguish. I'm so impressed I'm gonna google how to properly pronounce his name. I'm so very sad this is the last bit of Deus Ex content we are going to get in a long while (if ever). But even if it is the end, this is the best parting gift I could have hoped for.
• gamedeal user

  Feb 27, 2017

  The best DLC for Mankind Divided so far. An intriguing story, the gameplay is heavily focused on stealth. I'm playing for 6 hours so far and I'm still not finished. I'm really loving it, especially the scenario itself, the aug-only super-max.
• gamedeal user

  Feb 27, 2017

  This is an excellent DLC mission. It starts off a little Like Riddick: Escape From Butcher Bay and slowly progresses into a tense thriller, that works both as a singular narrative, while also having pretty deep ties to the main Mankind Divided plot, if you pay attention enough. The level design is possibly the best this series has ever seen, with so many opportunities to approach each goal via different routes, as well as loads of secrets to uncover. This is what is so painful about Mankind Divided, because despite the obvious flaws with the main game (incomplete story mainly) the developers have absolutely nailed the core essence of the Deus Ex gameplay: choice. The final scene in this DLC in particular is so bittersweet, because Adam Jensen is a surprisingly deep, very human character, and if this truly is going to be the last time we visit his world, we at least ended on a high note. For the jaded Deus Ex fans, who understandably felt upset because of Mankind Divided, I implore you to give this DLC a chance. It will remind you why you fell in love with this series in the first place and you will find a lot of replay value in what it has to offer.
• gamedeal user

  Feb 27, 2017

  This dlc was excellent. I had no issues with bugs at all so I don't know what the negatives were talking about. 1. The design of the prison was excellent. I felt it was well constructed and made sense. Plus the atmosphere and tension were well designed and explained as the story progessed. 2. The plot was extremely well written. I felt it was much tighter and better constructed compared to DXMD. The ending and the choices you could make felt powerful, as you could choose what to do with two of the major characters within the DLC. Also the final conversation of the DLC was probably the highlight of the DXMD and DXHR for me, with the ambiguity of what was said and the tension/potency, especially after the end credits scene in DXMD. 3. The characters were interesting, especially the agent you were sent to make contact with, I felt I made a connection and sympathized with the characters intentions and choices. Minor spoiler 4. being complicit with the riot made me feel extremely guilty and elicited an emotional reaction from me, which is very rare in computer games. 5. While the DLC did have you running around the areas a bit, I felt that the changing conditions within the prison kept it fresh. 6. Choosing to get Augs or not, etc made for vastly different options during the playthroughs. Jensen was at the top of his game with this one, and I would pay full price on this, even though I never pay full price on anything. Far better than the system rift dlc, although the system rift dlc started very strong.
• tickletackle

  Mar 1, 2017

  Fantastic DLC, with a compelling story, excellent gameplay and level design. I also liked the fact that you could keep with story continuity or not with the augs, to satisfy people who want to play with the experimental augs. I hope Eidos Montreal get a chance to make more games in the Deus Ex franchise without Square Enix meddling.
• gamedeal user

  Mar 5, 2017

  [b]Pros:[/b] -Awesome plot -Challenging gameplay -Brilliant level design -Multiple possible endings -A proper Deus Ex experience -Flawless Deus Ex style ending [b]Cons:[/b] -Still relatively short [b]Overall:[/b] I walked away from System Rift feeling "meh." I walked away from Criminal Past going "holy shit." That should tell you something. The premise is simple. You're stuck in a maximum security aug prison, without access to your augments, and you have to do secret agent things. I won't spoil any more than that, but the no-aug challenge is refreshing. You CAN get your augs back, but you can also finish the expansion without using them, ever. I highly recommend doing it this way. A no-aug run really lets you appreciate how much care went into designing the prison. It's got a level of polish that was missing in the main game and REALLY missing in System Rift. The plot and characters are all very fleshed out. Your decisions will matter. And in the end, the plot twists and reveals will leave you happy, even if some of them are somewhat predictable. But the ending scene is the best thing I've seen in a long time, and easily tops the ending for the main game. This DLC is easily worth $12. It's everything I wish the base game had been, and if you love Deus Ex, you owe it to yourself to play through this to the end. [b]Bottom Line:[/b] Hell yes, recommended.