Review: Deus Ex – Human Revolution – Director’s Cut / Developer: Eidos Montreal / Publisher: Square Enix / Platform: PC Game, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U / Release Date: Out Now

Originally released in 2011, Eidos’ acclaimed hit returns with a director’s cut consisting of the improved main game and the original DLC. Playing as professional Batman impersonator Adam Jensen, it is your job to investigate a crime that ended with you horribly scarred and your lover kidnapped. With new revelations at every turn, and political emotions boiling over from the use of cybernetic enhancements, Jensen finds the world is far from a safe or simple place…

Ultimately a touched up version of the original game, Deus Ex remains a very solid FPS with RPG elements. The art direction, mechanics and plot all worked to a great degree and remain strong points here. The setting, art direction and abilities system are all expertly designed, as are the rewards for scouring through areas for items. You’re normally working with limited supplies, but it’s what you choose to unlock which ultimately works the best. With abilities covering a broad spectrum, you can easily customize Jensen to everything from a sneaky hacker to a bullet sponge of a fighter.

One of Human Revolution’s major improvements relates to these abilities. The much-criticised boss battles are now much more open and offer angles beyond mere direct combat, with areas having been completely redesigned to offer things beyond just an outright brawl. Fighting against Barrett especially is infinitely more interesting, with options from hacking gun-turrets to hit and run assaults available to the player. All of them now allow for far more control over how you approach the problems of the Tyrants.

While bosses are improved, the AI isn’t so much. Despite being touted as a feature, there are few apparent differences with the original beyond one or two fewer goofs. Expect them to show less stunning incompetence, but more squad-based survivability. There are also few graphical improvements over the original, with some of the facial animations beginning to look stiff even only a few years after release.

This isn’t to say Human Revolution is a bad title, and many other new additions do enhance it. The commentary especially is well worthwhile, giving great insight into the game’s environments and stylised look. Another enhancement, unique to the Wii U, is the use of the gamepad for hacking, making one core element infinitely more enjoyable to play. The inclusion of a New Game+ is similarly fun for those wanting a massive power trip, giving you the chance to waltz around with full upgrades and a plasma cannon.

Human Revolution – Director’s Cut is an outstanding title and enhances one of the best Square Enix products of this decade. While offering little to those who already own the original, it tweaks enough of the criticised problems to warrant a look and is a must-buy to anyone yet to purchase any incarnation of the game.