Conceived by Warren Spector as a departure from conventional fantasy and science fiction games, the Deus Ex series has transformed into a contemporary representation of aesthetics and technology remarkably mirroring the real world. Emphasizing a blend of shooter and role-playing elements, the narrative revolves around clandestine organizations vying for global dominance.
Deus Ex swiftly expanded beyond its modest PC-only origins, spawning a diverse array of games spanning nearly two decades since its inception in 2000. While the main installments in the series have garnered positive reviews, occasionally reaching significant acclaim, there have also been instances of games flying under the radar or facing intense rejection from players.
1. Deus Ex
Metascore: 90
The groundbreaking game that initiated it all, Deus Ex stands out for its high level of innovation by seamlessly blending various genres to craft a rejuvenating cyberpunk narrative involving secret societies and dystopian government interference. As time progresses, Deus Ex has begun to exhibit signs of aging, with the once-far-off future of 2052 steadily approaching.
Nevertheless, the influence Deus Ex exerted on numerous games across diverse genres indicates that it remains relevant in the contemporary gaming landscape, offering a slightly outdated yet intriguing perspective on conspiracy and technology. While JC Denton may have faded into the background compared to Adam Jensen, he still serves as a worthwhile introduction for players delving into the world of Deus Ex.
What are the best mods for the original Deus Ex?
Deus Ex Community Update
The Deus Ex Community Update is a modular and user-friendly package designed for easy installation, incorporating a collection of minor fixes that leverage the collective knowledge and efforts of the entire modding community to address the remaining issues in the game.
In its most fundamental configuration, DECE applies basic engine-level fixes while keeping the game entirely unchanged, flaws and all. For additional fixes, users can opt for Hawkbird’s Deus Ex: Transcended by checking the designated tick-box during installation. This option addresses numerous small bugs and oversights in the game, although many of them are so minor that you might not even notice the difference.
GMDX
For those looking to enhance and refine their Deus Ex experience, there's GMDX, an abbreviation for Give Me Deus Ex. This name alludes to the Hard difficulty mode in Deus Ex: Human Revolution and serves as the mod's expression of purpose. In a nutshell, here are the key additions:
- Two graphical enhancement mods: HDTP and New Vision.
- Various gameplay adjustments that maintain an authentic feel.
- DirectX 9/10 renderers and a more robust launcher.
The graphical mods, combined with several map tweaks, introduce additional details and clutter where appropriate, enhancing the lighting. While the overall appearance leans towards a slightly darker and grittier aesthetic, the result is a visually appealing update.
2. Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Metascore: 89
A prelude to the original game, Human Revolution emerged eight years after Invisible War, presenting a freshly invigorated approach to the cyberpunk series. Characterized by a distinct artistic palette featuring blacks, grays, golds, and oranges, Human Revolution successfully modernizes the gunplay while constructing a visually captivating futuristic world.
In recent times, the introduction of a director's cut has elevated Human Revolution, addressing issues identified in the initial release. When coupled with the introduction of the new and popular protagonist, Adam Jensen, who provides a blank canvas for players to shape, Human Revolution not only stands out as one of the finest Deus Ex games but also as one of the standout titles from the early 2010s.
3. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Metascore: 84
The follow-up to Human Revolution initially faced skepticism due to controversies tied to the marketing campaign and a 'tiered' pre-order system. However, it ultimately delivers exceptional gameplay that builds upon the foundations laid by its predecessors. The narrative delves into themes of transhumanism and cybernetics, aligning well with the augmentation upgrade system available to Adam Jensen.
Mankind Divided encounters a significant setback in its rushed and inconclusive ending, leaving many crucial points unaddressed as the campaign concludes abruptly. This critical flaw, coupled with the troubled marketing and other controversies, led to underwhelming sales for Mankind Divided and, consequently, a lukewarm reception.
4. Deus Ex: Invisible War
Metascore: 84
The follow-up to the original 2000 game aimed for increased accessibility and greater player freedom in terms of both gameplay and narrative choices. For the most part, these goals were achieved; players were presented with a diverse array of factions to align with, and weapon customization was expanded compared to the previous game.
However, the primary issue with Invisible War lies in its overall composition. While certain aspects of the game exhibit improved quality, others have suffered, and the foundational experience from the original Deus Ex appears to have been forsaken for something less distinctive. Coupled with subpar enemy AI and a problematic PC port, Invisible War falls significantly short when compared to other mainline entries.
5. Deus Ex Go
Metascore: 81
A distinctive departure for the first-person shooter series, Deus Ex Go ventured into the realm of puzzle-based isometric Go games, offering Adam Jensen a concise narrative alongside novel mechanics that encapsulated the essence of the cyberpunk series.
While the transition from gunplay to puzzles proved successful, various aspects of the game, such as aesthetics and campaign length, seemed underwhelming and incomplete. Furthermore, the game's unavailability since its removal from storefronts in January 2023 adds to the list of shortcomings to be taken into account.
6. Deus Ex: The Fall
Metascore: 69
Deus Ex: The Fall deserves acknowledgment for its effort to transition the franchise onto mobile devices. However, a blend of porting challenges and lackluster gameplay has led to this spin-off being commonly dismissed by series enthusiasts.
The disappointment of The Fall is compounded by the unresolved status of its narrative, originally planned as the inaugural installment in a series of episodic games exploring morality and featuring fugitives Ben Saxon and Anna Kelso. The primary issue with The Fall lies in its uninspiring story, which many gamers are content to overlook.
7. Deus Ex: Breach
Metascore: N/A (44% On Steam)
Microtransactions have consistently been a contentious issue within the Deus Ex series, but none have been as egregious as the request for money in Deus Ex: Breach. The game incessantly puts up paywalls, acting as a true antagonist, particularly concerning the acquisition of ammunition. Requiring players to spend real currency for bullets significantly contributes to the game's overall lack of popularity.
Furthermore, Breach's gameplay is essentially a direct transfer of a game mode from a later installment in the Deus Ex series, Mankind Divided, offering little to no novelty except for the inclusion of microtransactions. Describing Breach as a misstep for the Deus Ex franchise would be a considerable understatement.
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