Diving into Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – A Beginner’s Guide
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Do you need to play anything before Deus Ex: Mankind Divided? The short answer is no, you don’t need to. However, experiencing the previous installments, especially Deus Ex: Human Revolution, will significantly enrich your understanding and enjoyment of the game. While Mankind Divided does a decent job of summarizing past events, you’ll miss out on the nuances of the characters, the political landscape, and the weight of the decisions that led to the game’s central conflict. Think of it like watching the third season of a TV show without seeing the first two – you’ll get the gist, but you won’t truly appreciate the journey.
Why Playing Human Revolution Enhances the Experience
- Character Development: Adam Jensen, the protagonist, undergoes significant development in Human Revolution. Playing it allows you to form a genuine connection with him and understand his motivations in Mankind Divided. You’ll also appreciate the returning characters and their relationships with Jensen far more.
- World-Building: The Deus Ex universe is rich and complex, filled with transhumanism debates, corporate conspiracies, and political intrigue. Human Revolution lays the foundation for this world, explaining the Aug Incident and its aftermath, which is the central backdrop for Mankind Divided.
- Gameplay Mechanics: While Mankind Divided refines and expands upon the gameplay mechanics of Human Revolution, understanding the basics of augmentation management, stealth, combat, and hacking will make your transition smoother.
- Choice and Consequence: Human Revolution introduces the series’ signature choice-driven narrative. Understanding the consequences of your decisions in the previous game adds weight to your actions in Mankind Divided.
- Story Understanding: Mankind Divided picks up directly after the events of Human Revolution. While it provides a recap, experiencing the original story firsthand provides a more in-depth understanding of the motives and actions of various factions and characters.
What if I Don’t Have Time?
If you’re short on time, there are several options:
- Watch a Story Summary: Many excellent videos on YouTube and other platforms provide comprehensive summaries of Deus Ex: Human Revolution‘s story. While it’s not the same as playing, it’s a good alternative.
- Read a Plot Synopsis: Wikipedia and other gaming websites offer detailed plot summaries of Human Revolution.
- Focus on Key Characters: Before starting Mankind Divided, research the backgrounds of key characters like David Sarif, Megan Reed, and Eliza Cassan. Knowing their relationships with Jensen will significantly enhance your experience.
Deeper Dive into the Deus Ex Universe
The Deus Ex franchise is known for its intricate storytelling and exploration of philosophical themes. The developers were deeply inspired by different themes that are also relevant today, such as transhumanism, cybernetics, and the social implications of technological advancements. Exploring these themes before playing will allow you to enjoy the universe even more.
The Games Learning Society explores how games can impact learning. To see how games and their narratives can be educational, check out GamesLearningSociety.org.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – a Standalone Experience?
Even though it’s beneficial to play Human Revolution beforehand, Mankind Divided can be enjoyed as a standalone experience. The game does a good job of introducing the world and characters, and the main storyline is self-contained. However, be prepared to miss out on some of the deeper nuances and callbacks to the previous game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Deus Ex: Human Revolution required to understand Mankind Divided’s plot?
No, it’s not strictly required, but highly recommended. Mankind Divided provides enough context to understand the immediate situation, but playing Human Revolution gives you a much richer understanding of the characters, motivations, and world-building.
2. Will I be completely lost if I skip Human Revolution?
Not completely lost, no. The game does its best to catch you up. However, you’ll miss a lot of the emotional impact and character development, which are core to the Deus Ex experience.
3. Are there any other Deus Ex games I should play before Mankind Divided?
While the original Deus Ex (2000) is a masterpiece and Deus Ex: Invisible War is a direct sequel, they are less essential for understanding Mankind Divided. Human Revolution is the most relevant prequel.
4. Where can I find a good summary of Deus Ex: Human Revolution’s story?
YouTube is a great resource for story summaries. Just search for “Deus Ex: Human Revolution story summary” and you’ll find plenty of options.
5. Is it worth playing Human Revolution even if I already know the major plot points?
Absolutely! Even if you know the story, experiencing the gameplay, making your own choices, and immersing yourself in the world is well worth the effort.
6. Does Mankind Divided explain what happened in the “Aug Incident”?
Yes, Mankind Divided explains the Aug Incident, but experiencing it firsthand in Human Revolution is far more impactful.
7. Is there a Deus Ex game I can play on my phone?
Yes, there is Deus Ex: The Fall. While it offers its own story, it is not vital for understanding the plot of Deus Ex Mankind Divided.
8. What are the most important things to know about Human Revolution before playing Mankind Divided?
Focus on understanding Adam Jensen’s backstory, his relationship with Sarif Industries, the events leading up to the Aug Incident, and the consequences of the choices you make at the end of the game.
9. Is there a comic or book series that bridges the gap between Human Revolution and Mankind Divided?
Yes, there is a comic book series called Deus Ex: Children’s Crusade that bridges the gap between the two games. Reading it can provide additional context, but it’s not essential.
10. Does my choices from Human Revolution affect Mankind Divided?
No, your choices from Human Revolution do not directly affect the main storyline of Mankind Divided. However, your understanding and appreciation of the world and characters will be greatly enhanced by knowing those choices.
11. Where can I buy Deus Ex: Human Revolution?
Deus Ex: Human Revolution is available on various platforms, including Steam, GOG, and console marketplaces (PlayStation Store and Xbox Store). Physical copies can also be found at online retailers.
12. Is Deus Ex: Mankind Divided open world?
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is not a fully open-world game, but it features large, explorable hub areas like Prague, which offer a significant amount of freedom and side quests.
13. Is Deus Ex: Mankind Divided multiplayer?
No, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is a single-player game.
14. What if I don’t like first-person shooters?
While Deus Ex: Mankind Divided can be played as a first-person shooter, stealth and hacking are viable alternatives. The game encourages a variety of playstyles.
15. Will there be a Deus Ex 3?
The future of the Deus Ex franchise is uncertain, but there is always hope for a new installment. The story of Adam Jensen is not complete.