Deus Ex Go (iOS) Review

By Chris Leebody 13.01.2017

Review for Deus Ex Go on iOS

At the moment, it is obviously impossible to envisage a true undiluted port of some of the most iconic games of recent years. The capability of tablets and phones is impressive and improving, but not there yet. Developers have had to be more creative in order to produce something that respects the origins of a franchise, while adapting to the constraints of the platform. Square Enix seems to have developed a formula it is running with, starting in 2014 with the launch of Hitman Go, and followed up with Lara Croft Go in 2015. Deus Ex Go is a similarly turn-based puzzle game set on a grid with various nodes to move through. The Deus Ex franchise is much treasured, with its memorable storytelling and dystopian world, so let's see if this is an adequate addition.

As many know already, the dystopian, technology-driven world of Deus Ex is rife with non-governmental paramilitary companies and secretive espionage. The adventures have always been swerving plots of betrayal and twists. This portable vision ditches much of the meat on the bones, positioning itself squarely as an attempted addictive 'free time' prison.

The limited plot does involve series protagonist Adam Jenson and is set before the events of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided; however, it is scaled back to a forgettable text-based narrative, following a conspiracy by the military research company Ironflank. In truth, although it is positive that there is something for fans to latch on to, for most users it stands as a forgettable distraction—one indeed that is not much more original than arcs from the previous titles in the series.

Screenshot for Deus Ex Go on iOS

The majority of focus stands on the puzzle gameplay. Any observer of the previous titles using the Go moniker will understand the gameplay straightaway. Utilising a turn-based system, Jensen has to make his way through one of the 50 core stages, along the way avoiding or eliminating the various enemies set out on the grid.

It has to be said, many of the levels are quite challenging. The first few stages ease the player in, but before long, a lot of elements are introduced, such as additional hacking abilities or the differing enemy types or enemy placements such as turrets or mechanised bots.

With puzzle games like this, the payoff is always the sense of satisfaction of having mastered a particularly hard stage. This satisfaction is definitely apparent here, because having finally figured out a complicated 'chess-like' solution nearly always results in a real pleasing smugness at having bested the developers.

Screenshot for Deus Ex Go on iOS

It is a pity that this smugness can be bought through solution packs. It boggles the mind that anyone would be willing to pay a monetary value to ruin the entire point of the exercise in playing. The addition of micro transactions is not a problem on its own, as most mobile titles have them. The real problem is that they are so blatantly illogical to the purpose of playing.

One additional criticism of the main gameplay would be that a few more initial tutorial sections would be helpful, especially when it comes to some of the hacking abilities, which are foisted on Jensen without an explanation of their full potential or use.

Screenshot for Deus Ex Go on iOS

Where Deus Ex Go falls down particularly badly compared to even the past Go titles is in having a very bland and minimalist visual presentation. Of course, as discussed, this is a portable title, so it is never going to inspire the imagination. However, stages, even despite different locales, tend to all merge into one big grey field. The fact that there is so little sound beyond footsteps and occasional electronic effects does nothing to make it more engaging.

The stages are designed to be bite-sized, and so it is no surprise that for most people the entire adventure can be polished off in about three to four hours. However, Square Enix does get some props for doing the sensible thing and including a puzzle creator, as well as free additional stages released on a regular basis. It keeps the user playing, which is the main goal.

Screenshot for Deus Ex Go on iOS

Cubed3 Rating

6/10
Rated 6 out of 10

Good

This is a mobile game, so the expectation that it is going to be a bit 'barebones' is engrained from the start. It certainly provides an element of the addiction and subsequent frustration that comes with a good puzzle experience. Additionally, the turn-based system definitely works well in introducing a strategic focus. However, the underlying plot is a forgettable and unoriginal design and does nothing to enhance this much-loved franchise. Equally forgettable is the visual presentation, which focuses on a minimalistic design to its detriment. The micro transactions are the wrong thing to introduce to this genre. Ultimately, Deus Ex Go is good for a slow work lunchtime, but not great.

Developer

Square Enix

Publisher

Square Enix

Genre

Strategy

Players

1

C3 Score

Rated $score out of 10  6/10

Reader Score

Rated $score out of 10  0 (0 Votes)

European release date Out now   North America release date Out now   Japan release date Out now   Australian release date Out now   

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