Summary
Created by Warren Spector as a rejection of straight fantasy or science fiction games, theDeus Exseries has evolved into a timely showcase of aesthetics and technology eerily similar to the real world. The gameplay focuses on shooter and role-play elements, whilst the story concerns secretive organizations competing with each other for global domination.
Deus Exquickly branched out from its humble PC-only beginnings, creating nearly two decades' worth of games since the original in 2000. Whilst the main entries in the series have received positive feedback that occasionally reachesgreat acclaim, there have also been several games that have gone under the radar, or been rejected intensely by players.
Microtransactions have always been a sore spot for theDeus Exfranchise, though none have been quite as insulting asDeus Ex: Breach’s request for money. The game paywalls players constantly likethe true villain, and this remains a serious issue when it comes to ammunition. Gamers are expected to pay real currency just for some bullets, a contributing factor to the game’s overwhelming unpopularity.
On top of this,Breach’s gameplay is simply a port of a game mode from a laterDeus Exgame,Mankind Divided,so it doesn’t really offer anything new at all except microtransactions. To sayBreachis a miss for theDeus Exfranchise is a huge understatement.
Credit can be given toDeus Ex: The Fallfor attempting to move the franchise into the world of mobile devices, but a combination of porting issues and underwhelming gameplay means this spin-off is usually disregarded by fans of the series.
The misfire that isThe Fallis made even more frustrating with the status of its story, which was intended as the first in a series of episodicgames concerning moralityand fugitives Ben Saxon and Anna Kelso. The main problem that lies withThe Fallis its underwhelming story, which most gamers are all too happy to miss.
Metascore: 81
Deus Ex Go
Deus Ex Go is a mobile-exclusive turn-based game that released for Android and IOS in 2016 and was available for download until it shut down its official servers in early 2023.
An unusual choice for the first-person shooter franchise that nonetheless has some merit,Deus Ex Gofollowed in the footsteps of the other puzzle-based isometricGogames, givingAdam Jensena compact story as well as new and interesting mechanics that captured the core feel of the cyberpunk series.
Although the translation from gunplay to puzzle worked well, many features in the game, including the aesthetic and campaign length, felt lackluster and half-done, and combined with the fact this game is no longer playable given its removal from storefronts in January 2023, there are a lot of shortcomings to consider.
Metascore: 84
Deus Ex: Invisible War
Approximately 20 years after the events depicted in Deus Ex, The World is only beginning to recover from a Catastrophic worldwide depression. In the Chaotic period of recovery, several religious and political factions see an opportunity to re-shape a worldwide government to their agendas, understanding that the right moves now could determine the shape of human society for decades even centuries to come. In this techno-nightmare, take part in the dark struggle to raise the world from its own ashes.Dynamic and innovative 1st person-action/adventure brings a level of reality unprecedented in a videogame. Biotech modifications allow players to see through walls, leap 40 feet into the air, regenerate critical body damage or render yourself radar invisible.Globe-hop to real world locations such as Seattle, Antarctica, and Cairo.Cunning stealth gameplay, with darkness and sound affecting enemy awareness. Variable gameplay offers multiple solutions to problems and support for varying stylistic approaches.Non-lethal, non-violent resolution to conflict, allowing players to make ethical statements through their actions. The player’s progress through the game is supported by an unprecedented freedom of action by a dynamic, non-linear story with responsive plot branches.
The sequel to the original 2000 game aimed to be more accessible, and have greater player freedom regardinggameplay and narrative choices. In most cases, these objectives were delivered; players are given a diverse collection of factions to pledge allegiance to, whilst weapon customization is expanded from the previous game.
The main problem withInvisible Waris its entire make-up. The increased quality of some areas of the game means others have diminished, and the core experience from the originalDeusExseems to have been abandoned for something less distinctive. Combined with poor enemy AI and a problematic PC port,Invisible Waris wholly inferior to other mainline entries.
The sequel toHuman Revolution, initially received with suspicion due to a swathe of controversies surrounding the marketing campaign and ‘tiered’ pre-order scheme, deliversexcellent gameplay that builds on its predecessors. Focus is given to the themes of transhumanism and cybernetics, which complement the augmentation upgrade system that Adam Jensen can utilize.
The main issue withMankind Dividedis its rushed and inconclusive ending, and the campaign finishes abruptly without addressing many major points. This critical mishap, combined with the disastrous marketing and other controversies, causedMankind Dividedto have underwhelming sales and by extension, a lukewarm reception.
A prequel to the original game,Human Revolutionarrived eight years afterInvisible Warto offer a freshly revitalized formula for the cyberpunk series. With an artistically distinct style of blacks, grays, golds, and oranges,Human Revolutionsucceeds in modernizing the gunplay and crafting a visually appealingfuturistic worldat the same time.
In recent years,Human Revolutionhas been bettered by the release of a director’s cut, which ironed out mishaps identified with the original release. Combining these features with the new and popular protagonist Adam Jensen, who serves as a blank slate for players to imprint on,Human Revolutionis not just one of the bestDeus Exgames, but one of the best from the early 2010s.
The game that launched it all,Deus Exis highly innovative, combiningmultiple genresto create a refreshing cyberpunk tale ofsecret societies and dystopian governmentintervention. In recent years,Deus Exhas started to show its age, and the once-distant future of 2052 increasingly draws near.
However, the inspirationDeus Exserved to countless other games in multiple genres proves that it’s still worth getting out in the modern world, for an ever-so-slightly dated take on conspiracy and technology. JC Denton might be a forgotten protagonist next to Adam Jensen, but he’s still worthy of being a player’s introduction into the world ofDeus Ex.
