Deus Ex
Release Date: June 22, 2000
RPG, FPP, cyberpunk, science fiction, stealth, FPS, shooters, action RPG, immersive sim, singleplayer
Steam
A cyberpunk first-person perspective action RPG developed by Ion Storm, studio led by the legend of the video game industry, Warren Spector – co-creator of such cult series as Ultima and Wing Commander. Deus Ex takes place in the middle of XXI century, in a world filled with terrorism, corruption, poverty and a mysterious disease called the Gray Death.
Deus Ex is a cyberpunk role-playing action game that combines features of FPP shooters, stealth games and RPGs. The game was developed by Ion Storm Austin studio, a branch of company founded in 1997 by legendary John Romero. The main designer of the game was Warren Spector – the co-creator of such renowned series as Ultima and Wing Commander. The game was released in 2000 on PCs and Macs, but the first concept of the game was released by Spector almost six years earlier, just after releasing the famous System Shock. In 2002 the game was ported to PlayStation 2 under a slightly changed name Deus Ex: The Conspiracy.
Plot
The story of Deus Ex takes place in year 2052, in a dystopian future consumed by a mysterious disease called the Gray Death. In the wake of an economical crisis, among corruption, terror, and falling morality, many predict a near end of the world. During the game, the players assume the role of agent JC Denton who, while fighting terrorism, discovers a trail of a mysterious conspiracy aimed at taking over the world. Soon he discovers that nothing is as it seems and his head becomes filled with questions and doubts. Since he cannot trust anyone or count on help of old friends, Denton is alone and his actions might determine the fate of the humanity.
Mechanics
Action of Deus Ex is non-linear and it can be shaped by decisions made by the player. During the game one will travel through a large world which consists of areas of New York and Paris based on aerial photos (the player will also visit Hong Kong). The action is shown from a first-person perspective and it combines features of a role-playing, shooter and stealth games. During the game player will explore places, complete various missions, speak with NPCs and complete sequences in which he must remain undetected or face various opponents.
High interactivity of the surrounding world is among the game’s most prominent features. Most of the common items found in the game can be used in various ways (for example to distract a guard). NPCs have their own artificial intelligence and they can react in various, often unpredictable ways to player’s actions. Like in classic RPGs, there is an advanced character development system available in Deus Ex. As the game progresses and player gains new skill points, he can equip Denton in 9 (of 18 available) nanotechnological augmentations that allow for example opening electronic locks, hack computers, faster regeneration, or better combat skills. Weapons can be freely modified by installing scopes, suppressors or various recoil and range modifiers into them. Depending on decisions made by the player during the game, Deus Ex can end in three alternative ways.
Game modes
Due to the specifics of the gameplay, Deus Ex was a title available only for single player. However, in response to fan’s demands, the Ion Storm developers implemented a multiplayer mode and added it in updates to the game. It allows playing in three game modes: Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch and Basic Deathmatch. The battles can take place on five maps taken from the singleplayer mode (however, thanks to the SDK released in the patch it is also possible for players to create their own maps). This option is available only in PC version of the game.
Technical aspects
Deus Ex released for PC and PS2 uses a modified version of Unreal Engine, technology created for the cult game released in 1998 by Epic Games. In Ion Storm’s game the engine was improved with light effects and item physics.
Last updated on May 12, 2016
Videos and Screens
The main pros of the game
- Engaging Story and Themes: The narrative is profound and tackles relevant themes such as social class divisions, capitalism, transhumanism, and conspiracy theories. Many reviewers noted that the story remains impactful and resonates with current events.
- Atmospheric Soundtrack: The music is frequently praised as an integral part of the game's immersive experience, enhancing the overall atmosphere.
- Gameplay Variety and Freedom: Players appreciate the multiple approaches to missions, allowing for diverse gameplay styles, whether through combat or stealth. The customization options for characters and weapons add depth to the gameplay.
- Immersive World and Level Design: Reviewers highlighted the intricate level design and the believable, atmospheric world, despite its outdated graphics. The variety of locations contributes to a rich exploration experience.
- Timelessness and Influence: Many users regard Deus Ex as a classic that set the foundation for future immersive sims, influencing many subsequent games in the genre.
The main cons of the game
- Outdated Mechanics and Graphics: Several reviews pointed out that the game shows its age in terms of controls and graphics, which can be clunky by modern standards. Some aspects of gameplay, such as aiming and stealth mechanics, were noted as particularly dated.
- Technical Issues: Users reported problems with launching the game on modern systems, including crashes and performance drops. Some found that the game requires mods to improve stability and performance.
- Voice Acting and Writing: The quality of voice acting and some writing elements were criticized as being subpar, detracting from the overall experience.
- Limited Resources and Navigation Challenges: Players expressed frustration with resource management, particularly regarding navigation tools and inventory space, which can hinder exploration and gameplay flow.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Improved Modern Controls: Users mentioned a desire for more refined controls and mechanics that align with contemporary gaming standards, particularly for stealth and combat.
- Autosave Functionality: The absence of an autosave feature was noted as a drawback, leading to reliance on save scumming, which some players found frustrating.
- Enhanced AI Behavior: Some reviews indicated that the AI could behave erratically on modern systems, suggesting a need for improved AI mechanics.
- More Comprehensive Tutorials or Guidance: New players found the initial experience challenging due to a lack of guidance, indicating that a more modern tutorial system could enhance accessibility for newcomers.
Summary
- Overall, while Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition is celebrated for its storytelling, atmosphere, and innovative gameplay, it faces criticism for its outdated mechanics and technical issues, which can detract from the experience for some players.
Summary generated on:
GAMERS Score
Average score from 4199 votes.
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8
GAMES
in Deus Ex Game Series
Game Series
Deus Ex Series
Deus Ex is a series of games of the action-RPG genre, the plot of which is set in the dystopian realities of the world of the not-too-distant future. The series was started by the Ion Storm studio, and is currently being developed by the Eidos Montreal development team.
8 video games
Deus Ex Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows June 22, 2000
PlayStation 2 March 25, 2002
Developer: Ion Storm
Publisher: Square Enix
Deus Ex System Requirements
PC / Windows
Recommended: Pentium II 300 MHz, 64MB RAM, graphic card
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