Edios 2011

The human revolution

Deus Ex is an historic game. Although unforgivable flawed at times, it established many of the archetypes modern RPG gaming takes for granted. Moral choice, branching dialogue systems, alternate story development based on the players behaviour, character augmentation, all of these elements are now commonplace in the action RPG.
Taking place in a Gibsonesque future where genetic enhancement runs rampant and shadowy corporations preside over the proletariat, the first game follows J.C Denton, an augmented agent working for UNATCO. After being sent out on one clandestine operation too many, Denton soon begins to question his role in these shady government machinations. The brainchild of genius developer Warren Spector (System Shock) Deus Ex was a satisfyingly deep experience, rich in story and gameplay.
Deus Ex: Invisible War was released in 2004 and shares many traits with it's superior predecessor. Story is the games main focus and many of the innovative elements of gameplay established by Deus Ex are relegated to the sidelines. Invisible War was still a deep RPG experience but it watered down many of the first games more ambitious aspects.

The mystery of Deus Ex 3

Now comes Deus Ex: Human Revolution, a game shrouded in mystery. Developer's Eidos Montreal are holding their cards close to their chest with Deus Ex 3, up until now we have only been offered glimpses of the game in the form of cryptic images and intriguing, pre-rendered trailers.
In a recent Q&A with Gamespot, director Jean Francois Dugas gives the impression that Human Revolution will attempt to re-capture the revolutionary (excuse the pun) gameplay style of the original Deus Ex:
"Even though some recent games took a page or two from Deus Ex, we believe that the experience hasn't been done since the original game. With Deus Ex: Human Revolution we're really dedicated to re-creating this unique experience for a new generation of gamers that never experienced what it's all about in the first place."
In the interview it is made clear that the game is a prequel rather than a direct sequel. The reason for this, as Dugan states, is to explore from a player perspective the early days of augmentation. It certainly seems like a bold choice to go back and explore the origins of Deus Ex's universe, but it may also serve as a great primer for those not familiar with the series.
Dugan also explains how Deus Ex 3 will be freeform and have a non-linear story progression as well as a return to the character augmentation that became a fan favourite in the other two games.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution has the less than enviable task of standing against the recent crop of modern action RPG's like Fallout 3 and Borderlands and trying to be a faithful and successful representation of it's highly regarded predecessors. Time will tell if Eidos Montreal can pull it off.