Deus Ex: Human Revolution

The first time we visited a futuro-Asian city was when we donned the role of JC Benton appointed to hunt down terrorists. However, apart from being an integral part of a game that takes place entirely at night, we also took time out to hit a bar, buy countless drinks for the hot Aussie and jump up and down on the dance floor.

Taking a U-turn, Human Revolution is a prequel. It takes place in 2025, 25 years before Deus Ex and introduces us to another futuro-Asian city with an island called Heng Sha.

Read FHM India in the digital libraryEvery issue, every shoot, on TCG Media.

Loaded with nastier guns, bullets, crazy combat styles, air ducts and codes that can be traced down through the datapad located in a toilet – once you’re thrown into this city, you are primarily looking for a hacker.

You are Adam Jenson, an ex-SWAT and you don’t have any clues about what the operation is except that there is a man named Tong who runs a club called The Hive. And he will give you your next clue.

This cyber-punk, single player video game continues the legacy of the first version. Due to a gruesome accident, Adam has to be rebuilt. In that process, he gets hold of the finest flip-out sunglasses (with powers) and arm-mounted blade technology. Besides, guns, bombs, gadgets and gizmos, there is an awful lot of upgrades. Cloaking, Silent Running, (kinky) Robot Domination, Improved Radar and even an 'Emotional Intelligence Enhancer'. All these prove to be kick-ass, but will also deplete your praxis points, which are either given out as rewards or can be found through exploration of levels.

As the player, you will visit five cities including Detroit, Shanghai and Montreal. And if you think your 6’1” tall frame and mechanically augmented body is the best, then you are mistaken. Scientific advancements have turned soldiers, spies and your nemesis into stronger and meaner beings.

Human Revolution is a great looking game, which has a futuristic baroque style gaming environment. One can compare its high-quality combat to the multi-award winning game – Grand Theft Auto.

It’s a perfect mix of action and role-play. Intense shooting, close-quarter takedowns and lock-picking abilities are its highlights. Once you unlock the levels, you increase your power, strength and hacking skills. Sensing the enemy on the other side of the wall before butchering him is another one of the key features. Plus, you have the power to become invisible as well.

Overall, this mind-blowing game encumbered with fights and bloodshed will keep you hooked for hours and hours.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution is coming to the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 on August 23.

LAWRENCE BARRETT: He too is mechanically augmented and is the main antagonist in the game. A member of Tyrants, he has a three-barrel mini gun concealed in his left arm. Barrett acquired the scar to his left eye after fighting Ben Saxon in the novel Deus Ex: Icarus Effect.

MEGAN REED: Meet your girlfriend. She is a scientist and has lot of information. She’s also possibly hiding something, too! During the attack on Sarif Industries' laboratories by mechanical-augmented black ops commandos, she is kidnapped by Jaron Namir in front of a powerless Adam and presumed dead.

JARON NAMIR: This field commander almost killed the non-augmented Adam and kidnapped his girlfriend. He formed the secret black ops team Tyrants and became the leader of Belltower's Elite Special Operations Unit. Diamond Back .357 is the weapon he carries.

TONG SI HUNG: A Triad boss and the owner of The Hive – a Heng Sha nightclub frequented by augmented people. He often impersonates a VIP lounge bartender to screen people who seek an audience with him.

Lord of the Rings: War in the North

J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings has failed to charm the gamers with its previous versions, but the ready-to-release War in the North promises more battles and gruesome fights. It’s definitely more grisly! A role-playing video game, you can choose to don the role of three heroes (a dwarf brawler, a human ranger, and an elf mage) and head to the north to fight Sauron’s generals.

Each of War in the North characters have special strengths and abilities, which in this version show mature-oriented combat and are critical in many ways. The gameplay heavily emphasises on interdependent co-op and teamwork. Break off from the group and consequences can and will be dire.

The dwarf can hammer faster than the other two, though his special powers are limited. The elf mage can wield magic spells that can momentarily save them from a set of arrows, while the human ranger specialises in crafty moves that deliver dangerous hits. All of them have a set of loot to collect, different talented moves and a lot of beasts to hunt down.

These certain skills are upgradeable as you keep moving forward, whilst the combat gets deadlier with every level. By and large, it is a well-balanced game that makes you travel through middle earth. Though one will find it similar to Mass Effect, especially with elements like the dialogue trees.

In the beginning you may find yourself pinned to the ground by meaty orcs and hulking troll brutes, but soon you’ll get a hang of it and start slaughtering each one of them.

Our take: Jump in with two other gamers to get a true feel of the game. It doesn’t have a robotic-style battlefield, but the fluidity of the combat is impressive. Everything is fast – changing between ranged and melee attacks. Also, activating your special powers is the coolest part. And once you do that, it’s bloody war!

LOTR’s War in the North will be released on PS 3, PC and Xbox 360 on August 24.

From the August 2011 issue of FHM India.