The pace slows down considerably, with entire chapters focused on exposition. Combat encounters allow for more freedom in larger spaces, but they appear at a far less frequent rate. A critical new character is introduced to a series that prides itself on a cast with established relationships. Uncharted 4 plays similarly to past games in the series, but it also takes risks. However, the two examples diverge under closer inspection. It feels eerily similar to the Deus Ex situation, as Uncharted 3 also came out five years ago. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s EndĪnother 2016 game that plays with expectations over a long period is Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. An upgraded version of Human Revolution sounds great in 2016, and the positive feedback so far – from fans and critics alike – supports that view. However, the longer development time gives it a different meaning.

That might sound lazy and uninspired if Mankind Divided had come out in 2012. Although the game introduces new abilities and a handful of gameplay tweaks, for the most part, it plays like an upgraded version of Human Revolution. In the case of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, it subscribes to the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” philosophy more so than anything else. That demand affords a game leeway, whether it pertains to conventional mechanics or a reinvention of the core formula. Thus, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided releases at a time in which the demand works in its favor. Surely five years is a grueling wait for Deus Ex fans, but it increases the audience’s hunger for something - anything - new. It took a whole five years for developer Eidos Montreal to craft a sequel to Human Revolution, as Mankind Divided only came out last week. Greed didn’t stand in the way of patience, though. The latter revitalized the Deus Ex franchise after a long hiatus, so publisher Square Enix wanted to capitalize on that success. The most recent entry in the long-awaited sequels category belongs to Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, the follow-up to 2011’s Human Revolution. We only need to look at this year in games to see a few notable examples. The possibility of disappointment looms in the distance, but more importantly, the hype and anticipation reach fever pitch. Imagine waiting four or more years for a sequel to one of your favorite games. It begs the question, how do you improve on the existing property without alienating the core audience? It’s a complex issue with no one right answer, but time always stands out as a key factor. The dual importance of familiarity and progression forces companies to scrutinize the benefits and risks of mechanical and story evolution. Video game sequels are often a deft balancing act for developers.

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