Deus Ex: Human Revolution – The Missing Link

Lore & Background

The Missing Link takes place during the events of Human Revolution: after staging an explosion in the docks of Hengsha, Adam Jensen smuggles himself on board a ship bound for a secret research base inside a cryosleep pod. He is discovered and captured aboard the ship. Two Belltower commanders, Pieter Burke and Netanya Keitner, torture him for information. After the EMP chair holding him captive mysteriously deactivates, Adam retrieves his equipment with the help of an unknown hacker. The ship docks at Rifleman Bank Station, a seaborne Belltower supply hub. Adam discovers that Keitner set him free, disillusioned with Belltower's unethical operations, and she wants him to find proof of illegal research for Interpol. Adam infiltrates the station's secure wing, discovers a detention camp with hundreds of detainees, and learns that innocents are kidnapped for Illuminati research that proves fatal to most subjects. With help from technician Garvin Quinn, Adam accesses a concealed elevator to an undersea research facility. He confronts scientist Tiffany Kavanagh, who agrees to turn informant. Burke discovers Keitner's mutiny, kills her, and initiates 'Code Yellow': pumping toxic gas into the camp and facility to eliminate witnesses. Adam can redirect the gas to save either Kavanagh or the prisoners, sabotage the distributor to save everyone, or do nothing. Adam then confronts Burke, who can be killed or incapacitated. The hacker reveals himself as both 'Quinn' and Keitner's Interpol contact, having used both as pawns against Belltower and the Illuminati. He places Adam in a new cryosleep pod, delivered to a departing ship, while contacting the hacker 'Janus' about Adam's potential.

Reader's Guide

The Missing Link was initially unplanned, developed by Human Revolution's core staff after the main game's visual theme was finalized. It provided an opportunity for improving visuals and gameplay: the visuals were given more contrast, lighting was improved, and the engine, character animations, and facial movement were enhanced. The story was designed as a standalone experience to avoid spoiling the main narrative and to provide more context to the setting. The title referred to both its status as filling a narrative gap and an in-game plot element. A boss fight was included, developed entirely in-house, allowing for multiple solutions including non-lethal options—a contrast to the main game's boss fights, which had been outsourced and focused heavily on action. Reception was generally positive: despite some mixed opinions on the story, praise was given to the improved visuals and gameplay. The DLC's environments, due to their relatively small size, allowed developers to avoid concerns about repeating character faces and voices that arose in the main game. The Missing Link remains notable as a self-contained expansion that addressed criticisms of the original game's boss design while expanding the narrative universe.

Did You Know?

• The Missing Link was developed by the core staff of Human Revolution, including producer David Anfossi, director Jean-François Dugas, writer Mary DeMarle, and composer Michael McCann.
• At the start of the episode, protagonist Adam Jensen is stripped of his equipment and augmentations, forcing players to scavenge for them.
• The DLC's boss fight was designed to allow for multiple solutions, including non-lethal options, in contrast to the main game's action-focused boss battles.
• The game's title referred both to its role in filling a narrative gap and to an in-game plot element.