Review of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided Updates

“Deus Ex: Mankind Divided,” developed by Eidos Montreal and published by Square Enix, is an action role-playing game that has captured the imaginations of many since its release in 2016. The game is set in a dystopian future where humans with augmentations (mechanical enhancements) face significant societal prejudice and discrimination. Playing as Adam Jensen, a heavily augmented protagonist, players navigate a world filled with moral ambiguity, intricate storytelling, and deep conspiracies. Over time, the game has seen several updates aimed at improving gameplay, fixing bugs, and adding new content. This review will delve into the various updates that have been rolled out, their impact on the game, and the overall reception by the community.

Initial Release and Reception

Upon its release, “Deus Ex: Mankind Divided” was praised for its complex narrative, rich world-building, and intricate level design. The game’s themes of transhumanism, social inequality, and corporate control were particularly lauded for their relevance and depth. However, it was not without its flaws. Critics and players pointed out issues with the game’s AI, performance problems on various platforms, and certain design choices that felt underdeveloped.

Day-One Patch

The first major update came in the form of a day-one patch, which addressed several immediate concerns:

1. Performance Enhancements: The patch aimed to improve frame rates and reduce stuttering, particularly on PC. This was crucial as many players experienced significant performance issues that hindered their gameplay experience.
2. Bug Fixes: Several bugs, including crashes and glitches that affected quest progression, were fixed. This helped streamline the player experience and reduce frustration caused by these technical hiccups.
3. Balance Adjustments: The patch also made minor adjustments to the game’s balance, particularly in combat scenarios, to provide a more consistent challenge.

While the day-one patch addressed many critical issues, it was clear that further updates would be necessary to fully polish the game.

Subsequent Updates and Enhancements

Patch 1.03 – October 2016

Patch 1.03 was one of the more significant updates post-release. It included the following improvements:

1. Stability Improvements: This patch further addressed issues that caused the game to crash, particularly on consoles. Stability was a major concern, and this update made the game more reliable across all platforms.
2. Improved Loading Times: One of the major complaints was the long loading times, especially when transitioning between large areas. Patch 1.03 optimized these transitions, making the gameplay flow more smoothly.
3. AI Enhancements: The AI of enemies and NPCs received a considerable overhaul. This made stealth gameplay more challenging and rewarding, as NPCs reacted more realistically to the player’s actions.
4. Graphical Fixes: Various graphical bugs, such as texture pop-ins and lighting issues, were addressed to improve the visual fidelity of the game.

Breach Mode Updates

“Breach Mode,” a secondary game mode introduced in “Mankind Divided,” received several updates. This mode offers a more arcade-style experience, focusing on short, challenge-based missions. Key updates included:

1. New Maps and Challenges: New content was regularly added to Breach Mode, providing players with fresh challenges and extending the mode’s replayability.
2. Leaderboard Fixes: Initially, there were issues with the leaderboard system not updating correctly. These were resolved, allowing players to compete fairly for high scores.
3. Rewards and Progression: The updates introduced new rewards and streamlined the progression system, making it more rewarding for players to invest time in this mode.

Patch 1.08 – January 2017

Patch 1.08 was another significant update, focusing on both the main game and Breach Mode:

1. HDR Support: High Dynamic Range (HDR) support was added, enhancing the game’s visual quality, particularly in terms of contrast and color depth. This made the game world more immersive and visually striking.
2. New Game+ Mode: This highly requested feature allowed players to start a new game while retaining all their augmentations and upgrades from a completed playthrough. This added a new layer of replayability, encouraging players to experiment with different strategies and playstyles.
3. Additional Side Missions: New side missions were introduced, adding more content and depth to the game’s narrative. These missions often explored characters and themes that were only briefly touched upon in the main storyline.

Patch 1.10 – April 2017

This update focused on further refining the game and addressing community feedback:

1. Customization Options: More customization options for controls and gameplay settings were introduced. This allowed players to tailor the game experience more closely to their preferences.
2. Difficulty Tweaks: Adjustments were made to the difficulty settings, particularly in how enemies reacted and how resources were managed. These tweaks aimed to provide a more balanced and challenging experience.
3. Bug Fixes: Continued efforts to squash bugs and glitches were made, including some that were minor but still impactful on the overall experience.

Narrative and Content Expansions

In addition to technical updates, “Deus Ex: Mankind Divided” also saw narrative and content expansions that enriched the game world.

System Rift

Released in September 2016, “System Rift” was the first story DLC for “Mankind Divided.” This expansion brought back Frank Pritchard, a fan-favorite character from “Deus Ex: Human Revolution,” and tasked players with infiltrating a secure data bank.

1. New Environment: The expansion introduced new locations that were meticulously designed and provided fresh challenges.
2. Expanded Storyline: The narrative delved deeper into the lore of the Deus Ex universe, exploring themes of data privacy and corporate espionage.
3. Gameplay Variety: “System Rift” provided a good mix of stealth and combat scenarios, catering to different playstyles.

A Criminal Past

“A Criminal Past,” released in February 2017, was the second story DLC. This expansion was a prequel of sorts, exploring one of Adam Jensen’s earlier missions.

1. Prison Setting: The new setting within a high-security prison offered a unique environment with its own set of challenges and gameplay dynamics.
2. Character Development: This DLC provided more background on Jensen and his relationships, adding depth to his character.
3. Moral Choices: True to the Deus Ex series, “A Criminal Past” featured moral choices that affected the outcome of the mission, emphasizing the series’ hallmark of player agency.

Community Feedback and Developer Response

Throughout its lifecycle, “Deus Ex: Mankind Divided” developers paid close attention to community feedback. The updates and expansions often reflected the developers’ commitment to addressing player concerns and enhancing the overall experience.

Positive Reception

1. Engagement with Players: The developers’ engagement with the community through forums and social media was appreciated. Players felt their concerns were heard and often saw their feedback reflected in subsequent updates.
2. Continuous Support: The regular updates and patches demonstrated a commitment to the game, ensuring that it remained polished and enjoyable long after its initial release.

Criticism and Areas for Improvement

1. Microtransactions: One of the major criticisms was the inclusion of microtransactions in a single-player game. While they were not necessary to progress, their presence was seen as incongruent with the game’s ethos and narrative focus.
2. Incomplete Story Arc: Some players felt that the main story ended abruptly and lacked closure. This led to speculation that the game was designed with future sequels or expansions in mind, leaving some narrative threads unresolved.

Technical Performance

Over time, the game’s technical performance saw significant improvements thanks to the numerous patches and updates.

PC Performance

1. Optimization: Initial performance issues on PC were a major concern, but subsequent patches improved stability and optimized the game to run more smoothly on a variety of hardware configurations.
2. Graphical Fidelity: With updates that included support for HDR and other graphical enhancements, the visual quality on PC was elevated, making the most of high-end gaming rigs.

Console Performance

1. Frame Rate Stability: Early issues with frame rate drops on consoles were largely resolved through patches, providing a more consistent experience.
2. Load Times: Optimizations to loading times were particularly beneficial on consoles, where hardware limitations initially caused significant delays.

Final Thoughts and Legacy

“Deus Ex: Mankind Divided” remains a significant entry in the Deus Ex series. Its updates and expansions have played a crucial role in refining the game and keeping it relevant. While it may not have been without its controversies and criticisms, the dedication of the developers to enhance and expand the game is commendable.

The Future of the Series

While there has been no official confirmation of a sequel, the updates and continued interest in “Mankind Divided” suggest that there is still a dedicated fan base eager for more. The themes and narrative possibilities within the Deus Ex universe remain rich with potential, and future installments could build upon the foundations laid by “Mankind Divided.”

Conclusion