It has been five years since the critically-acclaimed “Deus Ex: Human Revolution” was released. With its strong gameplay, interesting future setting and good story, developer Eidos Montreal was hard-pressed to top this gem. So, does this long-awaited sequel deliver a solid experience that fans have been waiting for?

The plot is set two years after the events of “Human Revolution” with the world divided into two factions: the augmented and naturals.

Our protagonist, Adam Jensen, now works as a counter terrorist for a group called Task Force 29. It is interesting to see Jensen get planted in the middle of this crisis and watch his involvement play out.

This sequel can be a great entry for any new players that want to dive in to the game without playing the previous title as well, because the game gives a 12 minute intro that summarizes the events of “Deus Ex: Human Revolution.”

In terms of gameplay, the side missions are well made. Some of them are particularly interesting, raging from dethroning a cult leader to getting an item from a mob boss.

One particularly tedious thing about this game is that non-playable characters do tend to drone-on with their dialogue. It’s not that what they are saying isn’t important or interesting, they just talk quite a bit, so be prepared for that. Of course the game still has the wheel-based dialogue system that the previous game had, giving the player freedom to pick and choose his/her interactions with other characters.

The game’s graphics have improved a lot as well. Although not mind blowing-ly great, the new Dawn Engine does its job pretty well. There are more well-detailed environments and character animations that are a step up compared to its predecessor. However, the lip-sync animation on some conversations couldn’t quite match the dialogue, which was also a problem in the previous game.

The gameplay itself was also refined. A more standard cover system was introduced, allowing the player to move around the combat area without being seen or getting shot at. The game’s controls feel slightly smoother than the previous game, but gun play can still be a bit clunky. Taking cover and shooting out of it can be a more reliable option during fire fights.

Players can still choose how to approach their missions, with stealth or not. Luckily, there are new weapons and augmentations that can complement your play style. Do you want to use the new Titan invincibility “aug” to wreak havoc on your enemies, or do you want to use the Taser “aug” to safely stun them? It is up to you.

The new weapons also come with better customization. You can now pick and choose your weapon attachment; however, any upgrades to weapons are permanent. A crafting mechanic was also introduced, solving the problem of shop keepers being the only way to get certain equipment. There is also a sense of verticality implemented in the game, a result of the better level design. Players can now occasionally use rooftops to gain an advantage against the enemy.

This is the sequel that fans have been waiting for, perhaps even more. This is a great successor to the highly praised “Deus Ex: Human Revolution” and would certainly please fans and newcomers alike. “Deus Ex: Mankind Divided” is a great example of how to release a masterful sequel without any form of compromise. The fans’ five year-long wait is over, and the game has delivered an experience to remember.