tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876216494183628999.post4641650843408294644..comments2023-10-31T00:31:59.277-07:00Comments on The United Federation of Charles: The Social Satire of Deus Ex: Human RevolutionCTPhippshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04226189019351004118noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876216494183628999.post-113749438278952052014-06-09T20:48:34.568-07:002014-06-09T20:48:34.568-07:00I'm inclined to think Augmentation technology ...I'm inclined to think Augmentation technology is used as a metaphor for multiple things across the game. It's a metaphor for abortion in terms of "controlling your body", a metaphor for scientific progress, and also a metaphor for wealth disparity amongst First World Nations. That's why the metaphor seems a bit clunky in places--they took on a LOT of issues at once.CTPhippshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04226189019351004118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876216494183628999.post-2113717013789015942014-05-26T07:25:36.833-07:002014-05-26T07:25:36.833-07:00Hey man, regarding the political spectrum, what vi...Hey man, regarding the political spectrum, what views do you think that Deus Ex espouses? For example, are the anti augmentation protesters a metaphor for pro life and anti abortion protesters?<br /><br />Overall, who is really "left" and "right"? Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15046108831213421459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876216494183628999.post-19470802152858396992014-04-17T14:03:52.881-07:002014-04-17T14:03:52.881-07:00An impressive response and one I give kudos too! A...An impressive response and one I give kudos too! All great points.CTPhippshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04226189019351004118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7876216494183628999.post-49897863116951876862013-03-14T03:22:17.836-07:002013-03-14T03:22:17.836-07:00I just finished this game a few days ago after pla...I just finished this game a few days ago after playing it on and off across platforms (first PC, then PS3, then Xbox 360 which was the one I finally completed) and I have to agree, the social satire in the game is present but never to the point of being anvilivious, it doesn't bang you over the head with morality plays at every story twist.<br /><br />Rather, I find that the odd piece of stereotypical writing aside, the subtlety works in the games favour because it respects the intelligence of the player, much like the gameplay itself. Both story and action present the player with a series of choices and ideas, then leave them to complete or ignore objectives as they see fit. At most points they can do what they like, how they like, as long as it gets the job done. Then the endings are changed based on how the game was played, despite which of the four endings is chosen. Quite hard to do from a narrative perspective.<br /><br />Me personally, I favour stealth and cunning over outright warfare in most cases. A lot of the enemies you encounter are just punch clock types, doing what they can with their skills to earn a living even if that's a hostile mercenary organisation like TYM or Belltower. It wouldn't be fair to mow them all down - the game takes the trouble of leaving personal emails on the many computers and eBooks which speak to the character of the persons who read them, so you are given a moral choice even then.<br /><br />Some people do need to be killed, though. I didn't mind the boss fights trying to railroad players into straight combat as much as some did, because the Tyrants are deliberately drawn as individuals far past the moral horizon, who abuse their power and enjoy inflicting suffering on others. You can beat them with stealth and minimal combat, but I felt that beating them at their own game with weapons made more sense as it was the only thing they understood.<br /><br />Overall that's what I got from the game - you have to assess the situations given, the danger and the morality, and make a choice depending on what you believe is right. And more than that, what your conception of right says about you as just a player (if you don't look too deeply) or as a person (if you do). Yes you can mow down civilians and police officers all you want, but doesn't that make Adam as bad as the powerful people with agendas that he is supposed to fight?<br /><br />It's hard to present choices in the game in a way that is subtle enough not to be overbearing yet obvious enough that it promotes introspection, but I think for the most part Human Revolution pulled it off. Unlike Metal Gear Solid titles, which veer off at the deep end with all manner of histrionics and Hideo's myopic musings - I love the gameplay in those titles but the stories are ludicrously bombastic, rather than being more low-key and effective like the Deus Ex series.whoiscuriousgeorgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13911409861778204451noreply@blogger.com