We couldn’t tell you how many hours we’ve spaced out to the ambient menu screen music of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, but if we did, we’d probably be just as shocked as you… except not really. It’s easily one of our favorite OST’s of couple of decades, and it matched the game’s unique visual style to granular perfection, balancing the sounds scrappy sounds of desperation with synthetic decadence and lavish atmosphere.
But in a series that helped define the very nature of immersive sims, Mankind Divided as a game has somewhat of a cursed position in its hierarchy. Paradoxically, for many it comes down to how good it was, in that it could have lived up as a successor to the OG Deus Ex if it didn’t end so abruptly. It left so much on the table when it came to length and central narrative, that despite how good everything that’s there is, it set up expectations that… well, if you’re reading this, you probably know the rest.
But that’s what makes yesterday’s news so interesting – Sonic Mayhem, one of the main composers for Mankind Divided‘s OST, has released an album of sketches, alternate mixes, extended passages and more from the game’s development in the form of Fragments of the Machine (Data Archive Vol.1).
Check it out below:
We’ve been sitting with it for a couple of hours now and we’ve got to say, hearing a slightly more fleshed our but raw take of the main menu on that first track gave us chills. It really is like hearing a version of a universe we didn’t get to see, but maybe grew out of what once was when we weren’t looking.
We also really liked the surprisingly saucy “DE_MD_InfoLink_StripClub,” which we do not remember appearing in the game. We remember the club because we remember having to break into it and immediately seeing that OD, but maybe that’s why we don’t remember the music. There’s also a really interesting robot-rock thing happening on closer “Prague_Dvali_Club_2016_heavy_2_15,” which makes us wonder where it would have been put in the game, but either way, we’ll take it, and more of course, if it exists.
Mankind Divided‘s soundtrack was always considered one of it’s most consistent and rewarding achievements, so to hear these more personal, intimate versions of the tracks before they were edited, themed, cut, etc. is thrilling, especially if you’re an experienced fan.
Lastly, there’s an interesting note in the Bandcamp description we wanted to share here:
“Between 2015–2016, I composed a large body of music for Deus Ex: Mankind Divided and its DLCs. The official soundtrack featured a curated selection, but much of what I wrote for the game — including cues for cinematics, trailers, in-game clubs, as well as drafts, ideas, and even demos — never made it beyond the official release. Until now.
With this collection, you have direct access (in a way) to my audio hard drive. These audio files come directly off my original drive, complete with the authentic arrangement names I gave them at the time. Some are unmixed, unmastered, and even unfinished. A number of these tracks are alternate variations or early beta versions that never made it into the final game. After seeing how much people still connect with that universe, I wanted to share them as a gift to the community before the release of Metal Eden.
The only thing I’ll ask in return: give Metal Eden (another cyberpunk title, coming Sept 2nd) a chance — and maybe pick up its soundtrack when it’s released, here via Bandcamp.
Thank you in advance.”
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Although it’s a radically different kind of game, Metal Eden does look pretty interesting, sort of like a cross between what they were trying to do withMarathon and the pacing of 2016’s Doom. While it’s probably best not to hold on to hope for a new Deus Ex title any time soon, it’s good to see some a nod to Mankind Divided‘s subtle, often untapped majesty in the meantime.
(Thanks for reading! If you’re looking for more music, check out our Bandcamp compilations here. If you like us, or possibly even love us, donations are always appreciated at the Buy Me A Coffee page here, but if you’re in a generous mood you can also donate to folks like Doctors Without Borders, the PCRF, Charity Water, Kindness Ranch, One Tail at A Time, Canopy Cat Rescue, or Best Friends Animal Sanctuary that could probably use it more – click on their names above to check ‘em out if you’re so inclined. Thanks again!)