I finally managed to finish Dues Ex in about 24 hours of gameplay. I'm not entirely certain this'll be the average for most players, since I not only explored while running around, but played a stealth style that by nature took quite a bit longer to get through a lot of the action oriented parts. However, as I mentioned last time the stealth gameplay proved to be quite superb.
I must admit my experience with stealth games is somewhat limited, the only big series I've played with it are Assassins' Creed and Metal Gear Solid games. Both of these games used it in much the same way Dues Ex did; which is to say it was more or less optional. A valid path to go through the game, but not the only one. After all, as much as I enjoyed sneaking around in those games there really isn't any reason Ezio couldn't just cut through whole hoards of enemies, and I distinctly remember the option to play MGS3 with a crocodile hat, lab coat, and massive machine gun. Likewise one can pick the beefier armor and combat augs in Dues Ex and turn the game into a poor imitation of Gears of War. I think I mint have to punch anyone who did that though, if only for the experience ruined.
Mechanically speaking Dues Ex is somewhat simplistic, or at least familiar to many gamers. It combines things rather than inventing new stuff. After all, it doesn't actually really have a stealth system - at least not one like MGS's camouflage. The enemies have alertness levels, but aside from that the game essentially hands you a couple of optional sneaking abilities and asks you to use the environment to remain undetected for however long as you so choose. It uses a cover mechanic similar to every third person shooter in existence right now, but couples it with a first person perspective the rest of the time to gives the combat a more traditional FPS experience if the player desires such. The combination of the two gives a sense of awareness to the player without just handing them an over-top view, making the game both challenging and unique in feel.
The story is interesting but I admit probably had my vote from the get-go regardless of execution. It's designed to be at the 'just before' stage for a half dozen old traditional sci-fi stories would happen. I pretty much always enjoy this time period in both sci-fi and fantasy, as it creates a world were you can't help but wonder how it'll all evolve and clash. In terms of ways to get the viewer involved in the story, I can think of few better. Though if you want a quick spoiler clean summary I'd have to bring up an old conversation a couple of my friends had.
One is a loyal and long time fan of the MGS series, but the other always had mixed views on them. I remember he summed it up best by saying he'd probably love games if only they didn't have all the insane weird stuff that crops up in the story line. And that's pretty much what Dues Ex is; it has a bunch of twists and turns in the story, it's just as complex in presentation, but you don't fight a man whose main power is bees. Many, many bees.
