Posted by
Sherie Connelly
on
Friday, June 21, 2024
2016-08-19T15:48:01Z
Do you like "Blade Runner?" You do, right? It's so good — a sci-fi classic! And it's in a class of entertainment — the tech-Noir sci-fi thriller — that's woefully underrepresented.
A new video game, however, helps to fill that void: "Deus Ex: Mankind Divided."
First things first: That's pronounced "day-us ex." It's Latin, and usually part of the phrase " Deus Ex Machina" (pronounced "mah-keen-uh"). That phrase translates to "god out of the machine" — a plot device that suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, fixes a major problem. Interpret that as you will with this game title.
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More importantly, the game is gorgeous. Have a look!
In "Deus Ex: Mankind Divided," you play as Adam Jensen. He's a man with a bunch of sweet robotic augmentations. He basically has superpowers.
Here he is pondering existence. That's his standard M.O.Square Enix
Adam's a member of a secret INTERPOL task force, and also maybe a member of an underground hacker collective? It's complicated.
Here he is (in the right foreground) with his INTERPOL buddies. They give him crap for having augmentations, and he's sassy right back.Square Enix
Regardless, he lives in Prague. Future Prague, that is.
The game's creators at Eidos Montreal built a futuristic world that feels engulfed in shadows, always on the verge of a light rain — the perfect weather for a detective.Square Enix
This is Jensen's apartment. He is literally no fun at all. But the lighting is nice!
Square Enix
Future Prague has a pretty serious segregation problem. Something as simple as taking the subway is an ordeal.
Notice the "Naturals" and "Augs" signs, and the separate lines, and the green/red colors indicating go/stop.Square Enix
But let's step back for a moment — you start the game in Dubai, on a mission.
Square Enix
In the future of "Mankind Divided," Dubai is in ruins after augmented humans went into a frenzy in an event that occurs prior to the game's story.
Oh, and a sandstorm is coming in, thus the giant wall of sand enveloping the sky.Square Enix
And the enemy? Literally The Illuminati. The shady group you see below:
Sure! Why not!Square Enix
But that's kinda beside the point. The game's story feels more like dressing for the multi-course dinner that is playing "Mankind Divided."
Square Enix
You're immediately given enormous powers and great freedom. Much of "Deus Ex" is spent slinking around corners, hiding in air ducts (like I'm doing here). It's a game of tactical espionage.
Square Enix
Much of that delightful experience, unfortunately, doesn't show well in images. Look at this sand-filled air duct I'm in!
Really remarkable sand.Square Enix
This is a little bit better: Using Jensen's augmented vision, I can see various objects of interest in the room I'm in!
The air duct is highlighted, which I might not otherwise notice.Square Enix
It's sneaking around through air ducts, or back alleys, or rooftops, pouncing on enemies or ghosting right past them, that defines the "Deus Ex" series.
In this instance, when the guard turned around and walked away, I was able to hack the security computer and disable alarm sensors. Sneaky sneaky!Square Enix
It serves as a perfect compliment to the brooding, quiet character that Jensen plays. I'm a ghost! And if I'm not, it's too late for you anyway.
Square Enix
Thankfully, the game isn't too self-serious. I found this abandoned apartment that used to be owned by a big fan of cats, apparently.
Square Enix
We're talking a serious amount of cat memorabilia.
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And this somewhat ominous list — new cat?
Square Enix
"Deus Ex: Mankind Divided" is available on August 23, for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC. Check it out! I've played about 10 hours and am enjoying myself thoroughly.
