It had average graphics and an average story, but for some reason it was very compelling to play. *long*
I'm not so sure what it is with this game but I found myself coming back to it. After further research over reasons why I found myself playing the game frequently, I realized that the game made a very good twist on what other games have a hard time implementing:
The Power of Choice
Deus Ex can be easily dismissed as a very crappy game if you do not play for more than 30 minutes. As you play, you realize that every single choice makes an impact on the story and the way you play the game. For instance, you'll collect "augmentations" that allow you to be slightly more bulletproof or slighly more radiation resistant etc and that will impact how you will reach particular areas in the game. In some cases, you change the course of the story simply because you have opted to team with a particular faction. You realize that as you progress in the story, characters start to remember what you've done and will question your motives. Despite the garbage graphics, you feel that the characters are conscious and deep and not just some NPC who will just give you some short factoid or voiceover the exact same conversation repeatedly. In some situations, you can do one of the following when approaching your typical night club filled with baddies:
1. Shmooze your way into the club
2. Find a secret way in
3. Mow down the bouncers with you plasma rifle and go out in a blaze of glory.
...or possibly more...
What is really interesting is how the game actually gives you more choices in approaching dangerous situations. You find out that you'll have more choices than you anticipate. Sooner or later, you'll realize how this game was cleverly designed. As you progress through the game, you will be given upgrades for JC Denton (main character) to run faster, jump higher, hack computers, etc. What makes this game even more interesting is how the levels were so well designed that it can even accommodate some of the most lopsided characters you can create. Even if JC Denton was a Computer Ace Hacker and sucked at everything else, there would still be a way to get passed 50 guards without shooting a single soul. The game tries to be open-ended. So, if all you can do is jump really high, there is a place for your character in the game and it doesn't stop there. The game even goes as far as upgrading your rifles and other assault weapons. So, if your character is based on total weaponry, you still have a choice over what kind of killing machine he'll be. A sniper? Or A Rambo-type dude?
Although very satisfying, an open-ended approach has its limitations. For one, the story can be more or less convoluted depending on the player's hunger for information. The more information you know, the deeper the game gets and the harder the decisions. In addition, the level designs would feel somewhat less plausible just so that it can cover any configuration of JC Denton's upgrades. For example, why would a club have direct access to a mainframe from some random computer sitting around near a bar? Go figure. In the famous words of Neo "the problem is choice".
Deus Ex, while not completely original, is one of the most refined games I have played that integrated RPG with FPS. The interface is appealing and very easy to use and is purposeful making me wonder if two different teams made the game.
Either way, Deus Ex (despite its ugliness) brings alot to the table. If you can stomach some funky dialogue and less original weapons, you'll find a very playable gem that is probably worth keeping.
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