Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (“Mankind Divided”) is an action, role-playing, stealth game published by Square Enix and is the sequel game to Deus Ex: Human Revolution. The game is available across multiple platforms, including Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows.
The game takes place in 2029, two years after the events of Human Revolution, wherein a great divide has taken place between those who possess augmentations and those who do not. Mankind Divided sees the return of Adam Jensen, the main character from Human Revolution, who now possesses newer technology and improved body augmentations.
The plot of Mankind Divided is much like that of a spy-action film, in which Jensen acts as a double agent for a task force that deals with augmented terrorists and a hacker group known as the Juggernaut Collective, to help bring down the Illuminati; associations which sees him traveling the world.
The game is visually striking, with amazing and in depth detail in both the environment and the characters. Jensen’s augments look natural, as if a part that he was born with. Not only are the visuals stunning but the in-game maps are appealing, especially to the trained gamer’s eye. Some maps may not be large but the amount of detail involved in illustrating a realistic city, which allows for multi-directional and multi-level travel from, the streets to the sewers, is superb.
Exploring each area requires some problem solving skills as each area acts as a puzzle with multiple possible solutions, which are dependent on the player’s choice of weaponry and augmentation. These puzzles can be classified as side-quests, which Mankind Divided is full off, allowing for more fun and gameplay alongside the main missions.
When it comes to missions, Mankind Divided provides players the freedom to play the game the way they choose. First and foremost, much like that in Human Revolution, Mankind Divided allows players the opportunity to play the game non-lethally, wherein, the game can be played entirely without killing a single person. This can be quite challenging when all you want to do at times is shoot everyone who stands in your way. In addition, the side missions aren’t compulsory. Players can choose whether to play the side missions, how to play said missions and determine whether or not to continue those side missions. Choices are aplenty in this game and each decision affects the direction in which the game takes.
The one aspect of Mankind Divided that I found rather unique was the stealth and cover mechanics, similar to that used in The Division. This mode allows players to switch views interchangeably from first person to third person, dart from one spot to another and overcome obstacles, all the while remaining hidden and taking cover.
However, whilst Mankind Divided provides stunning visuals, a fantastic story and some new decision based gameplay, playing the game in story mode takes an awful long time, with dialogue that appears to go on for much too long. Playing this mode for two hours doesn’t take you far and one would feel unenthused by the end of the two hours.
Apart from that, Mankind Divided is a game that illustrates a super spy, action packed game, with a whole host of new technologies and augments. It is a game like this that should one day be adapted into a film.