The Bad Things about Human Revolution

[shadow_Fox81]

i didn't think anything gameplay wise was bad, at least not in any way that would not seem nitpicky.

My only gripe was the characters, specifically Megan. Her presence seemed unescessary motivation to complete my missions and pull me throught the narative, i work for Sariff isn't that enough motivation. If she was missing Jensen would have had focus, the indifferent corporate security guy, a much better archetype for the player to come to terms with the overiding themes of the game. i stood out so much because Sariff seemed like his character was given the most development love in voice acting, animations and dailogue. And Sariff and Tagart are integral unlike megan who feels unecsessary

and she screwed up the tutorial which is in gaming the primary tool to form a players initial world view. Her presence confuses who jensen is as well as that she detracted from the heavy (and somewhat obtrusive) imagery throughout the 1st level that foreshadowed the games ultimate climax.

finally i feel white washing the entirety of Jensens rehab was a major development mistake, it would have been a more natural tutorial for augmentation ,a better way for us to come to understand Jensen as a character and for oppinions about the games central themes.Skipping from the initial attack to augmentation felt too jarring.

 

[Redem]

They cut Montreal and that's just a shame (ok yes I'm from quebec), but at the same time I feel a lot of enviroment are a bit shamey

 

[For.I.Am.Mad]

The graphics would be impressive if this was 2005. Which would be okay if the art design wasn't so ugly. This game is a blueprint for everything wrong with western art design. The stealthing is a chore. The per-*ahem* praxis are lame.

It's not good that while I'm playing all I'm thinking is 'Boy that Red Dead Redemption was a great game, I should be playing that.' or 'Kojima-san really did make stealth gameplay into an art. Why am I not playing MGS right now?'

Oh, and if you put all your praxis into stealth and hacking, like the game insist you do. Guess what? You're completely unprepared for the boss fights.

 

[Nudu]

My main problem is the scarcity of ammo and the fact that you can only take a couple of hits before you go down on the hardest difficulty, even with the armor upgrades. I was under the impression that you could play it as a shooter if you wanted too, but I feel it's more like it's a stealth game where you're allowed to carry a couple of guns just in case.

Which would be okay if the art design wasn't so ugly.

What.

Taste is subjective. But while you can say "I didn't like Citizen Kane." you can't say "Citizen Kane is a bad movie."

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

The worst thing about human revolution is the way the characters move when they're in a conversation. They keep shifting about uncomfortably like they need to pee the entire time they're talking, and it's really distracting.

 

[Weaver]

I don't get the hacking complaint. Granted I didn't play the game yet (damn college!), but these hacking sub-features are always about letting you explore things and giving you extra info ONLY if you put in the extra effort. If that doesn't interest you, don't hack. But why should the info just be lying around anywhere for you to pick up without hacking the computer? That would just break the whole feature.

I know you haven't played it yet but hacking highlights the one huge difference between this game and the original. Mainly, the difference between choice and optimal choice.

For example with hacking, there are probably enough terminals to level up a good 4 times in the first hub area. However, if you don't hack into those areas (say you instead use a password) you miss out on experience points and you will be weaker for it. It gets to the point where even if I have the login for a computer I'll hack it anyways because it will give a bunch of experience points in addition to "datastore nodes" which can give money, MORE experience or computer programs for you to use. There is just no reason to not hack.

Similarly for combat, sure you can sneak by enemies but if you instead silently take down an enemy it will give you 50xp. Shooting them gives you less and remaining unseen is the most beneficial way to play as you can get a "ghost" bonus for completing an objective unseen and a "smooth operator" bonus for never triggering an alarm.

Again, the game claims you can play any way you want but there is really only one optimal way to play. This is in stark contrast to the original (which I still view as superior). If you didnt't want to kill a single person you didn't have to and you would be no worse off for it. If you didn't have lockpick there was almost always another way into an area and you wouldn't be rewarded for picking a lock or hacking a terminal; you would be rewarded for getting into the area at all. This balanced the game immensely because whatever approach you took was a valid approach. One way wasn't necessarily opitmal, but there were optimal ways for different playstyles.

 

[GrizzlerBorno]

I don't get the hacking complaint. Granted I didn't play the game yet (damn college!), but these hacking sub-features are always about letting you explore things and giving you extra info ONLY if you put in the extra effort. If that doesn't interest you, don't hack. But why should the info just be lying around anywhere for you to pick up without hacking the computer? That would just break the whole feature.

I know you haven't played it yet but hacking highlights the one huge difference between this game and the original. Mainly, the difference between choice and optimal choice.

For example with hacking, there are probably enough terminals to level up a good 4 times in the first hub area. However, if you don't hack into those areas (say you instead use a password) you miss out on experience points and you will be weaker for it. It gets to the point where even if I have the login for a computer I'll hack it anyways because it will give a bunch of experience points in addition to "datastore nodes" which can give money, MORE experience or computer programs for you to use. There is just no reason to not hack.

Similarly for combat, sure you can sneak by enemies but if you instead silently take down an enemy it will give you 50xp. Shooting them gives you less and remaining unseen is the most beneficial way to play as you can get a "ghost" bonus for completing an objective unseen and a "smooth operator" bonus for never triggering an alarm.

Again, the game claims you can play any way you want but there is really only one optimal way to play. This is in stark contrast to the original (which I still view as superior). If you didnt't want to kill a single person you didn't have to and you would be no worse off for it. If you didn't have lockpick there was almost always another way into an area and you wouldn't be rewarded for picking a lock or hacking a terminal; you would be rewarded for getting into the area at all. This balanced the game immensely because whatever approach you took was a valid approach. One way wasn't necessarily opitmal, but there were optimal ways for different playstyles.

But it's an rpg. You HAVE to be given exp for doing actions. They can't just not give you any exp so that you are equally disinclined to perform any activity over any other. That seems like what you're trying to say, and I fully get where you're coming from but I can't imagine that working.

That being said, I never played Deus Ex either (I know, why am I even IN this thread?). Did they just give you exp based on mission completion?

 

[Weaver]

I don't get the hacking complaint. Granted I didn't play the game yet (damn college!), but these hacking sub-features are always about letting you explore things and giving you extra info ONLY if you put in the extra effort. If that doesn't interest you, don't hack. But why should the info just be lying around anywhere for you to pick up without hacking the computer? That would just break the whole feature.

I know you haven't played it yet but hacking highlights the one huge difference between this game and the original. Mainly, the difference between choice and optimal choice.

For example with hacking, there are probably enough terminals to level up a good 4 times in the first hub area. However, if you don't hack into those areas (say you instead use a password) you miss out on experience points and you will be weaker for it. It gets to the point where even if I have the login for a computer I'll hack it anyways because it will give a bunch of experience points in addition to "datastore nodes" which can give money, MORE experience or computer programs for you to use. There is just no reason to not hack.

Similarly for combat, sure you can sneak by enemies but if you instead silently take down an enemy it will give you 50xp. Shooting them gives you less and remaining unseen is the most beneficial way to play as you can get a "ghost" bonus for completing an objective unseen and a "smooth operator" bonus for never triggering an alarm.

Again, the game claims you can play any way you want but there is really only one optimal way to play. This is in stark contrast to the original (which I still view as superior). If you didnt't want to kill a single person you didn't have to and you would be no worse off for it. If you didn't have lockpick there was almost always another way into an area and you wouldn't be rewarded for picking a lock or hacking a terminal; you would be rewarded for getting into the area at all. This balanced the game immensely because whatever approach you took was a valid approach. One way wasn't necessarily opitmal, but there were optimal ways for different playstyles.

But it's an rpg. You HAVE to be given exp for doing actions. They can't just not give you any exp so that you are equally disinclined to perform any activity over any other. That seems like what you're trying to say, and I fully get where you're coming from but I can't imagine that working.

That being said, I never played Deus Ex either (I know, why am I even IN this thread?). Did they just give you exp based on mission completion?

Well in Deus Ex let's say there was a control room. You could get into it by either hacking a pad, picking a lock or sneaking in through a vent in the ceiling. You would get experience for getting into the room; but it didn't matter how you got in. EXP gain triggers when you get into the room, and only triggers once.

In Human Revolution you would still get experience for getting into the room, but you would also get bonus experience for hacking the pad and playing the hacking minigame. This can also net you more bonus XP or more money (there are datastores to capture in the mini game which contain prizes); meaning hacking is the most lucrative option.

 

[Samurai Goomba]

I like your complaints. They make sense in the context of what you're saying. It seems you've done your homework and are familiar with the genre conventions. Speaking as somebody who would rather read Neuromancer than Snow Crash (although both are really excellent), most of these gripes don't seem so bad. But I have heard the game heavily implies players should hack and use stealth, which is an impression I never got from the two other Deus Ex games.

I really miss melee weapons. I've always loved and used them. The knife sucks, but where melee shines is in combinations. My favorite combo is pepper spray and the baton. Pepper spray stuns an enemy for so long, you basically get a free knockout/kill.

Pepper spray > every other weapon.

 

[GrizzlerBorno]

But it's an rpg. You HAVE to be given exp for doing actions. They can't just not give you any exp so that you are equally disinclined to perform any activity over any other. That seems like what you're trying to say, and I fully get where you're coming from but I can't imagine that working.

That being said, I never played Deus Ex either (I know, why am I even IN this thread?). Did they just give you exp based on mission completion?

Well in Deus Ex let's say there was a control room. You could get into it by either hacking a pad, picking a lock or sneaking in through a vent in the ceiling. You would get experience for getting into the room; but it didn't matter how you got in. EXP gain triggers when you get into the room, and only triggers once.

In Human Revolution you would still get experience for getting into the room, but you would also get bonus experience for hacking the pad and playing the hacking minigame. This can also net you more bonus XP or more money (there are datastores to capture in the mini game which contain prizes); meaning hacking is the most lucrative option.

Is the hacking minigame hard? If so, I'd argue that that's the real trade-off. You're completing a difficult action and are being rewarded for that. Plus I understand that you can be caught whilst hacking, both by the computer, and by any guard who walks in on you? So really it seems like a risk reward system, just like Combat is a risk-reward system

I can't defend the nerfing of the whole stealthy "harming no one; finding hidden path" style of gameplay, but I mean.......if your playing like that......you're a wimp and don't deserve exp? Or maybe....if that IS your playstyle, maybe you don't really NEED that much exp? I dunno.

Can't wait to get my laptop and start playing it though. College Shmollege. Ptooey.....

(I'm kiddin' of course)

 

[Cheesus333]

The odd thing about Human Revolution's Boss Fights is that they would be fantastic in any other FPS. The one against The Mantis, for example: gorgeous room design - the giant face on the screen and the towering databanks scream Cyberpunk and I love it. The bosses are challenging, generally without being overpowered, and they all have varied fighting styles.

But the just don't fit this game. At all. People complain about it a lot and they're right to do so - what good is Level 5 Hacking in a close-quarters gunfight? The game forces you to break away from the style that it encourages you to choose for yourself. I don't know who thought that was a good idea but I really hope they're kicking themselves right now.

I can't defend the nerfing of the whole stealthy "harming no one; finding hidden path" style of gameplay, but I mean.......if your playing like that......you're a wimp and don't deserve exp?

You actually get high-value XP bonuses upon completion of an objective if no-one saw you, or no alarms were triggered, that sort of thing. My friend's playing stealth and he gets shitloads of XP just from that.

The graphics would be impressive if this was 2005. Which would be okay if the art design wasn't so ugly.

I don't think I understand your complaint. Deus Ex: Human Revolution has an amazing aesthetic. Granted it's down to personal opinion, but even objectively it captures the paranoid, conflicted spirit of the world completely. The consistent black and gold motif really works, too - reminds me of a lot of scenes from Blade Runner.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

What about the fact that the characters look like Thunderbirds and move thier eyes and arms as such.

Spoiler: Jeff Tracy

Spoiler: David Sarif

and when Adam Jensen flirts the tone of his voice doesn't change AT ALL o,o hes cold, cold like steel.

Its a pretty awesome game though so far

 

[Weaver]

What about the fact that the characters look like Thunderbirds and move thier eyes and arms as such.

Spoiler: Jeff Tracy

Spoiler: David Sarif

and when Adam Jensen flirts the tone of his voice doesn't change AT ALL o,o hes cold, cold like steel.

Its a pretty awesome game though so far

On this note Sarif's voice acting is laughable at times. It sounds like he's trying to do a John Wayne impression and failing terribly at it the whole game. There are other times he sounds like a kid who didn't get a cookie or something like when he's whining at Adam "Aaaadaaammm" in my head I just hear him going "Mooooommmmmmm". I don't think text can really properly convey this.

 

[Grabbin Keelz]

2: Gotta agree on that one.
1: I did like the part where the police guy made a reference to Robocop, then the other guy pretty much called ME Robocop.
6: Regenerating health works pretty well like it did in MGS3. I mean, hiding to recharge your health kinda makes sense in a STEALTH game. Plus this means I don't have to weigh down my inventory more with health kits. (and even then you still have painkillers and such)
3: Yea, that kinda sucked. I don't see why it takes an entire thing of energy to sneak up from behind and choke a dude. Batman did it all the fucking time.

Also the loading time is too long and Jensen has no emotion watsoever.

 

[Spygon]

The only thing that's been bugging me is the almost mandatory focus on upgrading hacking. Game feels like it shuts you out a bit if you can't hack things.

Totally agree one of the "hints" on the loading screen is "not a fan of hacking sometimes people leave security codes on computers"

yes that is really helpful as you need to hack the computers to get the codes anyway.So it pretty much just adds on you trying to find the right computer to do the same thing.

The only other kinda problem i have with it sometimes the investigation parts drag on abit but that might be just me.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

The only thing that's been bugging me is the almost mandatory focus on upgrading hacking. Game feels like it shuts you out a bit if you can't hack things.

Totally agree one of the "hints" on the loading screen is "not a fan of hacking sometimes people leave security codes on computers"

yes that is really helpful as you need to hack the computers to get the codes anyway.So it pretty much just adds on you trying to find the right computer to do the same thing.

The only other kinda problem i have with it sometimes the investigation parts drag on abit but that might be just me.

It means the little personal secretary things that are laying around. They are sometimes hidden between books or on gang members and suchlike. However, as was said before it much more lucrative to hack even if you have the password.

 

[McNinja]

Problems with the game: the forced hacking. The forced stealth. The lack of melee combat, the shallow story. The shallow characters. The fact that you cannot, in fact, go through this game guns blazing. You cannot play this game as an FPS, because if you do it turns in a Gears of War clone, which is probably why they force the stealth.

 

[Spygon]

Totally agree one of the "hints" on the loading screen is "not a fan of hacking sometimes people leave security codes on computers"

yes that is really helpful as you need to hack the computers to get the codes anyway.So it pretty much just adds on you trying to find the right computer to do the same thing.

The only other kinda problem i have with it sometimes the investigation parts drag on abit but that might be just me.

It means the little personal secretary things that are laying around. They are sometimes hidden between books or on gang members and suchlike. However, as was said before it much more lucrative to hack even if you have the password.

Yes just noticed that as i was playing lol and your right found that hacking gets you rewards while using a password doesnt.So unless you trying to move through an area fast hacking is the best thing to do

 

[Nomanslander]

Only problems I have with the game are the same problems I have with a lot of RPGs. The gameplay mechanics are spread out to thinly.

For instance:

-Stealth isn't so impressive using tired and old mechanics that have been done better in games 10 years ago. and as for the AI in stealth gameplay? Guards are dumb and won't check obvious corners.

-FPS run and gun gameplay hardly exists. Since it's easy to die in this game, mostly players will find it more suitable doing cover base shooting. And the gameplay for shooting isn't all that good whether in FPS or TPS.

-Leveling tree suffering from the same problem ME2 did, you aren't really branching out into a certain gameplay style, and there's no points cap from what I've seen.

Still, I've enjoyed the game immensely.

 

[Fieldy409_v1legacy]

meh to me this game is just average. i dont see what all the fuss is about.