The first of it's kind, rivaling Half Life in the level of innovative concepts and fresh ideas introduced in a game.
OK, so maybe the graphics, comical by todays' standards, were a little outdated even for 2000. And yes, some of the voice acting makes my ears ache. But those shortcomings can't change the fact that Deus Ex successfully combines so many diverse elements into a complex, immersive conspiracy story that keeps the player involved right up to the end. And the end is a long time in coming...first time players can easily invest 30-40 hours, and given all the mutually exclusive options, just like Lays potato chips, no one can play just once.
For those unfamiliar with role-playing games, it works like this. Through out the game, you are given choices of which skills or capabilities you wish to upgrade. Selecting one option means you eliminate another for the remainder of the game. For example, you may decide you wish to move silently, but you must give up the ability to move faster and jump higher. You may choose to become an expert marksman, but at the expense of proficiency with heavy weapons like the rocket launcher or flame thrower. This, coupled with the fact that you have a finite inventory of weapons that you can carry (and upgrade as well), presents a plethora of options to pick from, and the player must carefully consider his choices before deciding on a particular path. Will you be a human tank, or is stealth the better approach? This all adds to the replay value, since, if you're like me, you're going to want to try every possible alternative the game presents.
Given the graphics competition in games like Half Life 2, Doom 3, and Quake 4, playing Deus Ex may be a little hard on the eyes at first...you're not going to find any of the stunning visuals and special effects that permeate more recent releases. But if you're drawn to a complex story line, full of treachery, conspiracies, and treason, then pick up a copy of Deus Ex...you won't be disappointed.