Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Overview

A prequel to the original game, Deus Ex: Human Revolution is being developer by Eidos Montreal and will be the third game in the Deus Ex series. Set 25 years before the first game in the year 2027,Human Revolution tells the tale of a private security officer named Adam Jensen who works with a company that specializes in biochemical augmentations. When the company is suddenly attacked, Jensen is left to figure out what happened and why. Human Revolution will be a game filled to the brim with powerful corporations and conspiracy theories.

The game was earlier scheduled for a March 8, 2011 release but has since been pushed back to Q2, 2011.

Development

Human Revolution was announced on May 17, 2007 by Patrick Melchoir, director of Eidos France. It will be the first game developed by Eidos' Montreal studio. The game's cutscenes are being developed by Square's Visual Works team at Tokyo, Japan in collaboration with Goldtooth Creative at Vancouver, Canada. The first product of this joint venture was the teaser trailer, revealed at GDC 2010.

Gameplay

Augmentations in the Deus Ex franchise are modifications that give the user superhuman abilities. Characters in Human Revolution use mechanical augmentations that are divided into four groups: combat, social, stealth and hacking. The developers claim that, with a combination of certain skills and augmentations, it will be possible to play through the game killing nothing but the bosses.

First & Third Person Perspectives

Third-person cover system

While primarily a first-person perspective game, Human Revolution will switch to third-person for takedowns (both lethal and non-lethal) or whenever the player is in cover mode. Enemies are designed to react to changes in the player, which can mean anything from the weapon they are using to their behavior during a fight. Enemy squads also come with a squad leader who directs their actions, and if the player can eliminate the leader the other troops will be confused and left to panic. While fighting, weapons will use unique types of ammunition that can eventually be upgraded, and players can perform takedown moves up close on enemies.

Regenerating Health

Eidos Montreal is making the rather controversial decision to remove the health pack system and replace it with regenerating health. According to the developers, having health packs would eventually force players to stop advancing through the game so they can scour through the level in search of medical supplies, and that such behavior would break the tension and natural flow of the game. As a result, they are introducing regenerating health that they hope will encourage the player to make tactical retreats. The developers have stated that the regenerating health system will not be like the ones you see in modern mainstream shooter games and that there will be health items to use during the slow regeneration phase.

NPC Interactions

Players will also be able to interact with anyone they encounter in the game. One example saw the player walking through a city, and each of the NPCs could be interacted with. Social interactions can "fail" if the player essentially chooses the wrong options, resulting in the person not giving up the information they desire. Different emotional stances can be taken to better convince people. Throughout their travels players will visit major cities like Shanghai and Detroit, and will collect information and secrets that can be stored in their own apartment.

Style & Themes

A strong sepia tone

In Human Revolution, mankind is using mechanical augmentations, but it has yet to be determined what their effects on society will eventually be. The visuals are unique in that they combine elements of Renaissance and cyberpunk aesthetics. In the game, those that support the idea of augmentations decorate their homes and themselves in a kind of late-medieval Italian style, while those that are against it dress like normal human beings.

The game deals with the idea of transhumanism, which is a cultural movement that supports the use of technology and science to improve physical and mental capabilities of humans.

Release Info

Augmented Edition

Square Enix will release a special edition for all three platforms with the following extras:

40-page Artbook
Exclusive Bonus DVD: Making Of, Special Trailers, Animated storyboard of CGI trailer and Soundtrack
Premium Packaging
Motion Graphic Novel

Pre-order Bonuses

The game also comes with retailer-exclusive pre-order bonuses:

Explosive Mission Pack (GameStop Exclusive)

An entirely new mission with special cameo appearance by a character from the original Deus Ex.
Linebacker G-87 multiple shot grenade launcher
M-28 Utility Remote-Detonated Explosive Device (UR-DED)
Automatic Unlocking Device

Tactical Enhancement Pack (Other Participating Retailers)

Huntsman Silverback Double-Barrel Shotgun
Longsword Whisperhead Extreme Range Sniper Rifle
Extra Credits