Skip to main content

E3 2011 hands-on: Deus Ex Human Revolution

The first thing to know about Deus Ex: Human Revolution is that despite the looks, and despite the majority of the game play, it is not a first-person shooter–or at least, it is not just a first-person shooter. It is technically an RPG that plays like a first-person shooter, at least according to Eidos.

Set in a cyberpunk inspired future, Deus Ex: Human Revolution is the prequel to the Deus Ex series that originally launched in 2000. The games are loosely connected, but DE:HR is also an original story and a prequel, meaning anyone can jump in and play without being a fan of the series. And that is a good thing, because DE:HR has a lot of potential.

At E3, Eidos was showing both a playthrough demo, and hosting several hands-on demos. The showing was designed to highlight the potential of the game, while the playable demos were there to display the way the game moves and feels. The Deus Ex series has always been known for the multiple choices and options you are given to complete each objective, and that returns with a vengeance.

If you want to play DE:HR like you would play Halo, you have that option. It might not be the most practical way, but it would be possible. On the other hand, if you prefer the Sam Fisher approach, you could choose to be stealthy and complete the entire game without killing a single person (except for bosses). But if you are like most gamers, you will opt for something in between and try out new paths based on your mood. And since the game will take in the neighborhood of 30+ hours to complete, you will have plenty of opportunities to try things out.

The RPG aspect of the game comes through as an upgrade system. As you progress, you earn “Praxis” points, which can be spent on upgrades. The main character of DE:HR is Adam Jensen, a former security officer that was seriously wounded in an attack. Jensen was rebuilt, but in a clever marriage of plot and gameplay, the operation which gave Jensen his cybernetics limbs and various artificial bits, was traumatic—so much so that the process of adding more components needs to be done over time as Jensen’s body accepts the new parts. It is just a necessary evil in a title like this, but it is nice to see the game integrate the upgrades logically.

But besides just being more Robocop-y, the upgrades give you options on how to proceed and can even offer branching side quests. One example showed the character taking the stealth approach, which led him to an elevator shaft. The character had purchased an upgrade for his legs, which allowed him to fall a significant distance without damage. If he had not had that, he would have needed to find another route. Another example featured a slight side-quest to save a man trapped in a sealed off lab filling with gas. If you have purchased the lung augmentation, you could rescue him. If not, you need to leave him to his fate. Certain augmentations also add to the combat and support abilities of your character. If you did purchase the lung augmentation, guards using gas attacks will be disappointed. Alternatively, if you purchased the optics augmentation, you could see through walls to avoid guards, and if you have the strength enhancement, you could then punch through certain walls to grab the guard and take him out quietly.

The upgrade process is a lengthy one, and it will take you the better part of the game to max out your potential. That means choosing your upgrades to match your play style will become essential, and more than that, there is no right or wrong way to upgrade. For each objective there will be a few options unavailable to you, but with each new upgrade comes new possibilities.

There is also a big emphasis on both hacking and conversation trees.  The hacking is something of a simplistic mini-game, while the conversations can open up new options and side quests through charisma, bribery or fear. You do not have to hack that often or speak with everybody if you choose not too, but both offer more ways to proceed.

But despite the RPG elements, and despite the assertions of Eidos, DE:HR is an FPS. It moves and thinks like an FPS, albeit a smart one. There are plenty of weapons to choose from throughout the game, both lethal and non-lethal, and your loadout for each mission will be determined based on your intentions. If you plan to leave people breathing, you will be given non-lethal weapons. If you plan to become a death dealing angel of Hell, you get something slightly more powerful. You can also upgrade your weapons with new types of ammo that will suit your style.

The controls are about what you would expect from a FPS, in a good way.  There is also a cover system that can help you with silent takedowns, moving without being seen, or to just give you cover from incoming bullets, which will become increasingly important as you progress. The majority of the enemies you face will be average humans, and many times you will have the option of what to do. It may be as simple as eavesdropping on them and waiting for an event you overheard, or it may be bloodier. But average humans are the least of your problems, and you will soon meet other augmented humans. Apparently, in 2027 people are a bit more cavalier with their limbs and seem to misplace them, forcing a replacement. This leads to some epic battles.

In combat, you have a few new options thanks to the augmentations, but those—while incredibly useful and somewhat essential—are limited by the battery life. As you progress, you will gain battery cells. You start with one, but earn more through the game. When you are fully charged you can use any of your augmentations however you like. But the charge does not last long, and you will quickly drain the power, forcing you to find a means to recharge them. The first battery will never completely run out and it recharges through movement, so you will never be trapped by a lack of power, but the judicious use of augmentations will be an important factor.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution also looks great. Although the graphics aren’t on the level of Battlefield 3 or a half dozen other amazing looking games, DE:HR looks technically sound. Where it stands out though is the design of the world. The Deus Ex setting of 2027 is a cyberpunk-inspired world seen through a Baroque lens. The colors are a major factor, and gold is the dominant tint. But that is just the details, what really matters is the design of the world, and that is where it shines.

Mega cities of tomorrow will be a frequent stop for Jensen, and in the future of DEUS Ex, cities will be built upon cities. There is an upper and lower section to these metropolises, and the detail in the design is enough to make you stop and just stare for several minutes. If you are a gamer that is a fan of sci-fi, Deus Ex: Human Revolution is the game for you.

The game was mostly done when it was demoed for us–there are a few tweaks and a last coat of polish to apply, but what we saw was enough to focus our attention on August 23, when the game is released for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Ryan Fleming
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ryan Fleming is the Gaming and Cinema Editor for Digital Trends. He joined the DT staff in 2009 after spending time covering…
With E3 2022 canceled, these are the summer gaming events to watch
E3 logo

We learned this week that 2022 will be the second year since 1995 to not have any kind of E3 expo. While the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) says E3's physical and digital cancelation this year enables it to "devote all our energy and resources to delivering a revitalized physical and digital E3 experience next summer," it also raises questions regarding how game announcements will happen this summer. Companies like Microsoft and Nintendo often tie big reveals to E3, so what is the industry's plan now that E3 2022 is officially canceled?
So far, we only know of a couple of events that will take place, though there's still time for a lot more to be announced. For those wondering how E3 2022's cancelation will impact summer 2022's game reveal landscape, we've broken down everything that is and isn't happening -- and that might happen -- in the coming months. 
What's not happening
E3's absence leaves a crater in the usual gaming hype cycle. Typically, the yearly event took place for a week in Los Angeles and served as a spot where game publishers could announce and advertise their upcoming slates of titles and game-related products. In 2020, the ESA canceled the event due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it returned digitally in 2021 with mixed results. 

On March 31, the event organizers at the ESA confirmed that there would be no digital or physical E3 event this year. That was quite surprising as more and more in-person events are returning, and the ESA even demonstrated that it could hold the event digitally before. The event may return in 2023, but this year the E3 event that typically consolidates many gaming announcements to one week in June won't play out like normal.
Outside of E3, we also know that EA won't hold its yearly EA Play Live event this summer. Typically, the publisher has its own events outside of E3, but chose not to this year because "this year things aren't lining up to show you everything on one date." That means that if we get new information on titles like the Dead Space remake or the next Dragon Age and Mass Effect, it won't be at an E3-adjacent event. 
What is happening
There are still some major gaming events that will take place this summer. This June, the biggest one is Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest. The creator of The Game Awards plans to hold a Summer Game Fest Kickoff Livestream full of new trailers and announcements. Last year's event featured the release date of Elden Ring, so there are certainly high expectations surrounding the showcase, especially as E3 won't be drawing away any reveals. An indie-focused Day of the Devs presentation and other Summer Game Fest-branded events are also expected to take place this June. Keighley tweeted that Summer Game Fest festivities "will be less than one month this year." 
IGN confirmed that its Summer of Gaming event would also take place in June and feature exclusive trailers, gameplay, and interviews. Bethesda has also teased that it will show Starfield this summer, and we're supposed to get another look at Final Fantasy XVI soon.
As for in-person events, a couple of them are happening later in the summer. Gamescom, a European gaming expo equivalent to E3, will happen in person in Cologne, Germany. In Japan, the Tokyo Game Show will be the final big in-person summer event between September 15 and 18. While E3 might not be happening, it's clear that some digital showcases will happen this summer and that events outside of America are still on track to take place in person. 

Read more
The biggest games we didn’t see at E3 2021: Hellblade, Splinter Cell, and more
Sam Fisher's iconic goggles.

With the E3 2021 extravaganza rapidly coming to a close, it's time to reflect on the ways in which our hopes were dashed. There are already a ton of lists out there that recap everything presented at the show, but what about the games we didn't see?

With big players like Sony and EA skipping this year’s show, it was inevitable that there were going to be plenty of MIA games. Outside of the usual suspects, there was a slew of games we desperately wanted to see but that just didn’t make the cut. Regardless of whether these games (and one console) are stuck in development hell, delayed because of COVID-19, don’t actually exist, or are just waiting for a different day in the sun, here is a list of some of the biggest missing names from E3 2021.
Splatoon 3

Read more
PC Gaming Show: 3 can’t-miss games from the E3 livestream
pc gaming show e3 2021 ixion

The PC Gaming Show at E3 2021 had a ton of games for viewers to take in -- one could even argue that it bordered on too many. There were titles for everyone: Hardcore RPGs, management sims both on Earth and in outer space, and tons of shooters for players to wear down their keyboards and mice.

While the show, presented by PC Gamer, had a ton of great games, there's simply too many to list them all in one place. Instead, here are some of the highlights of 2021's PC Gaming Show.
They Always Run

Read more