Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – how will you play?

Developer Eidos Montreal has shown off Mankind Divided before, but this time we got to play two lengthy demos from an almost complete version of the game. The first was set in Dubai, and since it’s also the first level from the final game came complete with a number of useful, but optional, tutorials. If you haven’t played Human Revolution before, the games are primarily viewed from a first person perspective, but they do pull out to a third person view whenever you’re hiding behind cover.

Although his abilities are highly customisable you play as a fixed character named Adam Jensen, a cyborg with robot arms and all manner of ‘augments’. His character and situation is very interesting, but we have to say we’ve never liked his voiceover, which like so many male video game protagonists sounds like he’s constantly doing a bad Clint Eastwood impression. In fact, the voiceovers in general are poor, with a British soldier who’s frankly embarrassing to listen to (although he does say the word ‘bellend’, which you don’t hear much in games).

As the Dubai level starts we find ourselves part of an anti-terrorist team trying to intercept (literal) arms dealers, after a tip-off from an undercover agent. Jensen’s mission involves sneaking through a half-completed skyscraper, learning how to use a detective vision style HUD display, and making the best use of a revamped cover system. The latter now gives you very precise control of where you can move to, with new options to back off or vault over your current hiding spot.

One of the big selling points of Human Revolution was that you could tackle most situations however you wanted, treating the game as a straight shooter, attempting to take down enemies non-lethally, or avoiding them entirely. There are so many options beyond just violence that most players found it more interesting to seek alternatives. And besides, non-lethal takedowns are still very satisfying – especially the new gun arm that works like the shotgun from Minority Report, by blasting people, or the grenades they throw, backwards with a burst of compressed air.

The level ends with a double cross at the arms exchange, which introduces a faction of Anonymous style agitators. You then have to try and take down them, the arms dealers, and prevent the death of the undercover agent. All in the middle of a sudden sandstorm. We failed on the latter, since we were busy trying to deactivate a dropship when he was busy getting himself killed. That wasn’t (or at least wouldn’t be) game over though and the plot carried on regardless, working his death into the story.