Decoding Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Director’s Cut vs. Complete Edition: A Definitive Guide

The question of “Director’s Cut” versus “Complete Edition” for Deus Ex: Human Revolution often plagues new and returning players alike. Here’s the core difference: the Director’s Cut is essentially a remastered version with integrated DLC, gameplay tweaks, and new features. The Complete Edition, on the other hand, typically refers to the original game bundled with all available DLC as separate entities. The Director’s Cut offers a more seamless and cohesive experience, while the Complete Edition provides the original game with DLC as add-ons.

Director’s Cut: The Enhanced Experience

The Director’s Cut of Deus Ex: Human Revolution isn’t just a simple bundling of content; it’s a re-imagining of the game with several key improvements:

• Integrated DLC: The Missing Link DLC, which was originally a standalone expansion, is seamlessly integrated into the main storyline. This means no more jarring transitions or loading separate modules; the story flows naturally.

• Reworked Boss Battles: The original boss battles were heavily criticized for their reliance on combat, conflicting with the game’s stealth-oriented design. The Director’s Cut addresses this by offering more strategic and non-lethal approaches to defeating bosses.

• Developer Commentary: One of the most intriguing additions is the in-game developer commentary. This allows players to listen to insights and anecdotes from the Eidos Montreal team while playing, providing a deeper understanding of the game’s design choices.

• Visual Tweaks: The controversial yellow filter present in the original game has been removed, resulting in a cleaner and more visually appealing experience.

• New Game+: The Director’s Cut introduces New Game+, enabling players to replay the story with their previously acquired augmentations, leading to new gameplay possibilities.

• Additional Cutscenes and Dialogue: Some cutscenes and dialogue sequences have been extended or added, providing further depth to the narrative.

However, it’s important to acknowledge the Director’s Cut isn’t perfect. Some players have reported performance issues and bugs that weren’t present in the original version, which is a risk to consider before deciding on what version you purchase.

The Complete Edition: Original Flavor with Added Sprinkles

The Complete Edition (sometimes referred to by other names like “Augmented Edition” or “Ultimate Edition”) of Deus Ex: Human Revolution refers to the original version of the game bundled with all its DLC:

• The Missing Link: The main DLC for the game, this content is added on top of the main story but it’s not blended into the core experience as is the case with the Director’s Cut version.

• Explosive Mission Pack & Tactical Enhancement Pack: A pack of DLC providing various items, weapons and bonuses.

The advantage of the Complete Edition is that you get to experience the original game as it was initially intended, with the DLC content available as separate additions. This can appeal to purists who prefer the original gameplay and visuals without any alterations.

Which Version Should You Choose?

The best version for you depends on your preferences:

• If you prioritize a seamless and enhanced experience with integrated DLC, reworked boss battles, and developer commentary, the Director’s Cut is the better choice.

• If you prefer the original gameplay and visuals, with DLC as separate additions, and if you value stability and potentially fewer bugs, the Complete Edition (or similar bundled versions) might be more appealing.

It’s also worth considering that the Director’s Cut may be harder to find physically, as it was a later release. Digital storefronts like Steam or GOG often offer both versions, so compare prices and read user reviews before making a purchase. It is also important to consider your computer’s specifications, as the performance of the Director’s Cut version of the game is notoriously bad and has been known to be considerably less stable than the original release.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does the Director’s Cut include all the content from the original game?

Yes, the Director’s Cut includes the entire original game content, along with all DLC, integrated into the main storyline.

2. Is the Director’s Cut graphically superior to the original?

While the Director’s Cut removes the yellow filter, some players report that the overall graphical fidelity and performance are worse than the original version. The optimization of the Director’s Cut is often cited as a significant drawback.

3. Are the boss battles in the Director’s Cut actually better?

Generally, yes. The reworked boss battles in the Director’s Cut offer more strategic and non-lethal options, aligning better with the game’s core gameplay mechanics. However, some players still find them imperfect.

4. Is the developer commentary worth listening to?

Many players find the developer commentary in the Director’s Cut to be a valuable addition, providing interesting insights into the game’s development and design choices.

5. Does the Director’s Cut have more bugs than the original?

Anecdotally, many players report encountering more bugs and performance issues in the Director’s Cut compared to the original version. This is a common criticism.

6. Can I transfer my save game from the original to the Director’s Cut?

No, save games are not compatible between the original and the Director’s Cut versions of the game.

7. Is the Director’s Cut available on all platforms?

The Director’s Cut was released for PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii U.

8. Is the Director’s Cut considered the definitive version of Deus Ex: Human Revolution?

While the Director’s Cut offers improvements and integrated DLC, the performance issues and bugs make it a somewhat controversial “definitive” version. Some players still prefer the original.

9. What are the minimum system requirements for the Director’s Cut on PC?

The minimum system requirements are similar to the original game, but it is recommended to have a slightly more powerful PC for a smoother experience, especially considering the performance issues reported by some users.

10. How much longer is the Director’s Cut compared to the original?

The Director’s Cut is slightly longer due to the integrated DLC and additional cutscenes, but the core gameplay length remains similar to the original.

11. Does the Director’s Cut change the story of the game?

The core story remains the same, but the integration of The Missing Link DLC provides more context and expands on certain plot points.

12. Can I still find a physical copy of the Director’s Cut?

Physical copies of the Director’s Cut can be difficult to find, especially for older consoles. Digital storefronts are often the easier option.

13. Is Deus Ex: Human Revolution related to Game-Based Learning?

Deus Ex and other games can be excellent learning tools. For more information on gaming and its applications to education, visit the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ or GamesLearningSociety.org.

14. What is “New Game+” and why is it important?

New Game+ allows players to restart the game with their previously earned skills and augmentations. This mode increases replayability and allows players to tackle challenges with their favourite builds right from the start.

15. Does the Director’s Cut come with the Augmented Edition’s extras?

No, the Director’s Cut doesn’t include the making-of videos, soundtrack, and other physical goodies that came with the Augmented Edition of the original game. It focuses on gameplay and story integration.