Kotaku Spent Far Too Long Breaking into Houses in the new Deus Ex

Kotaku UK’s recent preview of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is one of the most interesting pieces about the game I’ve read. Instead of rushing through the story missions during the allotted time, the author decided to focus on exploring the Prague city hub and broke in several apartments while doing that. He seems to be pretty impressed with the experience. An excerpt:

One of my favourite things in Human Revolution was breaking into apartments. Behind many of the game’s locked doors were homes lovingly crafted by artists and designers. There would be computer terminals filled with emails that gave an insight to the homeowner’s life, while also shining a light on what life in a world with augmented humans is like.

I’m glad to report Mankind Divided carries on that vein.

The first apartment I break into, hacking the simple computer lock on the front door, is a gorgeous mess of rotting food, piled up dishes, and, conversely, a beautiful shrine to a machine Christ. Strapped to the wall with glowing fibre wire cables is a crucifix-like mannequin. Splayed out from its back like wings are lit up strip lights. I later learn it’s the home of a leader in the Singularity Church of the MachineGod, a religious cult that was referenced in Human Revolution.

On the stairs down to the next floor is a air duct that leads into the kitchen of one of the apartments below. I slip into the kitchen quietly, there are two people in the living room, one having an angry phone call about a deal. Piled on the kitchen counters are vials of Neuropozyne – the drug that started to fill the streets in Deus Ex: The Fall, the mobile game that fills the gap between Human Revolution and Mankind Divided. Also on the counter is a data tablet that talks about different gangs pushing the drug in Prague and, handily, an updated combination for the door to a stash house nearby.

A third apartment in Jensen’s block is the one I’ve been thinking about most since playing, as I never found out exactly what was going on there. For the most part the flat is an uninteresting affair – normal kitchen, bathroom, and living room. But the bedroom in the back had a telescope set up facing the window. You can look through it and be met with a magnified view of Jensen’s front door. Someone has been watching you but I couldn’t find any clues in the flat as to who. I really hope there’s more to be found when I’ve more time with the game.

I spent an hour just in Jensen’s apartment block, talking to NPCs, getting a feel for the atmosphere of the city, and, of course, breaking and entering. Everywhere I turned there were little intricacies that tell something of the world: homeless augments sick with withdrawal symptoms; graffiti and propaganda posters, both for and against augmentation; empty Neuropozyne vials crushed into the floor.