Is Deus Ex: Mankind Divided Like Cyberpunk 2077? A Deep Dive
The short answer is no, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (MD) is not like Cyberpunk 2077, despite sharing the cyberpunk genre and some thematic similarities. While both games feature futuristic settings, augmentations, and corporate intrigue, they offer fundamentally different gameplay experiences and narrative focuses. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is a stealth-focused, character-driven RPG with a smaller, more dense world, while Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action RPG with a sprawling cityscape. This difference in design philosophy leads to vastly different gameplay loops, strengths, and weaknesses.
Understanding Their Core Differences
World Design and Scope
Cyberpunk 2077 boasts a large, open world in Night City, where players can explore a vast, sprawling urban environment. The game encourages exploration with numerous side activities, vehicles to acquire and use, and a sense of scale that is almost unmatched in the genre. This sheer size, however, can sometimes feel less meticulously crafted than the areas within Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. In contrast, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is set primarily in Prague, offering a smaller, more densely packed environment. The game focuses on intricate level design with multiple pathways, hidden areas, and a verticality that promotes stealth and strategic thinking. While MD’s world is considerably smaller than Night City, it’s packed with details and allows for much more emergent gameplay within its designed spaces.
Gameplay Mechanics
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is fundamentally a stealth game at its core, where players are encouraged to utilize augmentations, hacking skills, and environmental awareness to navigate levels without raising alarms. Combat in MD is more deliberate, punishing if not approached carefully, and often a last resort. The game offers both lethal and non-lethal options, allowing players to tailor their playstyle to their preferences. On the other hand, Cyberpunk 2077, while offering stealth options, primarily focuses on action-oriented gameplay. The combat is often fast-paced, heavily reliant on gunplay, and offers a wider range of weapon customization. The use of various cyberware in combat plays a significant role, but the game doesn’t punish a direct approach the same way MD does.
Story and Narrative Focus
The narratives of the two games also differ significantly. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided delves into themes of transhumanism, societal division, and the ever-present threat of conspiracies, often relating to the Illuminati. It’s more focused on unraveling a complex plot involving secret organizations and exploring the implications of advanced technology on society. Cyberpunk 2077’s narrative is more personal, focusing on V’s struggle for survival and their entanglement with Johnny Silverhand, a digital ghost. It’s primarily about the themes of identity, mortality, and the dangers of corporate power, albeit within the cyberpunk setting. While both share cyberpunk tropes, their approach and execution are distinct.
Player Agency and Choices
One key area where Deus Ex: Mankind Divided shines is in player agency. The game gives players multiple approaches to objectives, with choices impacting the world and how events unfold. Players can often choose the most direct, confrontational approach, but also the stealthy, hacking approach, or even one that bypasses conflict altogether. Cyberpunk 2077 also offers player choices, but they are less impactful on the gameplay itself and tend to have more influence on the branching storyline and ending. MD’s approach to agency is generally focused on moment-to-moment tactical flexibility, while Cyberpunk’s is centered around the broader narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Deus Ex Similar to Cyberpunk?
While both games fall under the umbrella of cyberpunk and feature transhuman themes, Deus Ex is not directly similar to Cyberpunk 2077 in terms of gameplay and scope. Deus Ex is more of a stealth-action RPG with a smaller, intricate world, while Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action RPG. The difference in approach sets them apart despite their genre.
2. What is Cyberpunk 2077 most comparable to?
Cyberpunk 2077 draws influences from many cyberpunk works. Games like Deus Ex, Shadowrun, and even immersive sims like System Shock 2 share thematic and mechanical similarities. Additionally, cyberpunk-adjacent works such as Metal Gear Solid and Blade Runner are clear influences in the story and setting.
3. Did Cyberpunk Copy Deus Ex?
There are some similarities in specific mechanics, such as the introductory ripperdoc sequence. However, these similarities do not imply direct copying but rather common themes found within the genre. It is more a nod to the genre, than a direct ripoff of Deus Ex.
4. Is Deus Ex: Human Revolution Cyberpunk?
Yes, Deus Ex: Human Revolution is a cyberpunk game. Set in 2027, it features augmentations, conspiracies, and a dystopian future, all hallmarks of the genre. It serves as a prequel to the original Deus Ex game, further solidifying its place within the cyberpunk canon.
5. Is Deus Ex Better than Cyberpunk 2077?
Whether one is “better” is subjective, but Deus Ex is often praised for its player agency and tightly designed levels. It is also better in terms of enemy AI. Cyberpunk 2077, while having a larger, more detailed world, often falls short in those areas. The games shine in different ways, appealing to different preferences.
6. Is Deus Ex: Mankind Divided Better than Cyberpunk 2077?
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided excels in enemy AI, level design, stealth gameplay and player agency. Cyberpunk 2077 is better in terms of world scale, graphical fidelity and customization. It ultimately comes down to player preference.
7. Who Owns Deus Ex Now?
Eidos Montreal currently owns the rights to the Deus Ex franchise after being acquired from Square Enix. This means they now have full creative and developmental control of the IP.
8. What Type of Game is Deus Ex?
Deus Ex is a blend of several genres: role-playing, first-person shooter, adventure, and immersive simulation. It is a game where player actions and choices heavily impact the world, emphasizing strategic thinking and exploration.
9. Is V Male or Female Canon in Cyberpunk 2077?
There is no canon for V’s gender or storyline in Cyberpunk 2077. Both the male and female versions of V offer unique perspectives, and the game allows for flexibility in player choice.
10. Is Cyberpunk the Most Realistic Game?
While Cyberpunk 2077 is not realistic in its replication of the real world, it is praised for its hyper-realistic portrayal of a futuristic setting. Its attention to detail and atmospheric design make Night City feel like a believable dystopian future.
11. Is Cyberpunk the Most Demanding Game?
Cyberpunk 2077 is considered to be one of the most graphically demanding games, especially when ray tracing is enabled. It requires a high-end PC to run smoothly at higher graphical settings.
12. Which Map is Bigger, GTA 5 or Cyberpunk 2077?
The map in Grand Theft Auto V is larger than Cyberpunk 2077. While Cyberpunk 2077’s map is detailed and dense, Los Santos from GTA V is significantly larger in overall size.
13. Is Deus Ex: Mankind Divided Open World?
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided offers a semi-open world, primarily based in Prague. While there are various districts and areas to explore, it’s not the sprawling open world found in games like Cyberpunk 2077, but it is more dense and intricate.
14. Is Deus Ex Like BioShock?
Both Deus Ex and BioShock are spiritual successors to System Shock 2 and feature elements of immersive sims, but they differ in overall approach. BioShock is more linear, while Deus Ex offers more freedom in playstyle and exploration.
15. How Long is Deus Ex: Mankind Divided?
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided typically takes around 25 hours to complete the main storyline. Side quests and exploration can extend the playtime considerably.
Conclusion
While both Deus Ex: Mankind Divided and Cyberpunk 2077 exist within the cyberpunk genre, they are distinct gaming experiences. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided provides a carefully constructed and dense stealth RPG, emphasizing player agency and strategic thinking. Cyberpunk 2077, on the other hand, provides an open-world action RPG with a sprawling cityscape and more focus on narrative and customization. Understanding these core differences is crucial in appreciating each game’s unique strengths and weaknesses, thereby avoiding direct comparisons that often lead to unmet expectations. Players seeking a smaller scale, more deliberate experience with meaningful choices will likely gravitate towards Deus Ex, while those craving a vast, action-packed cyberpunk experience might prefer Cyberpunk 2077. Both games, however, are valuable additions to the cyberpunk gaming landscape and offer something unique for fans of the genre.