Deus Ex

Deus Ex (2000)

Developed in 2000 by Ion Storm, Deus Ex is a sci-fi action game with 3D graphics. The game features role-playing elements as well as stealth and first-person shooter gameplay. The player can choose from a variety of skills to invest in that allow different gameplay options, such as being able to hack into computer systems or pick locks. Players will also be able to unlock different augmentation abilities from canisters, allowing special powers such as super speed or being able to survive jumps from high places.

Deus Ex Gameplay
JC Denton receives details regarding his next mission from UNATCO chief Joseph Manderley.

Story

In the year 2052, a nano-augmented agent named JC Denton joins the United Nations Anti-Terrorist Coalition (UNATCO) after graduating from the academy. Deployed to a mission in New York, JC receives directions from his brother Paul Denton, a fellow nano-augmented UNATCO agent. His goal is to retrieve a stolen shipment of Ambrosia, a cure to a deadly plague called the Gray Death, from the terrorist organization known as NSF. After the shipment is recovered, JC meets his superior Joseph Manderley, whose approval varies depending on which mission objectives the player has successfully completed. JC is assigned to additional missions, working alongside fellow UNATCO agents Gunther Hermann and Anna Navarre. Eventually, Paul Denton becomes disillusioned with UNATCO after learning that the organization was designed to make sure only the rich and powerful receive the Ambrosia cure to the man-made Gray Death virus. He defects, and JC joins him. Their kill switches are activated by FEMA director Walton Simons, and the pair seeks the help of hacker Tracer Tong to stop the countdown. JC learns that the virus was created by the secret organization called the Illuminati originally for nano-augmentation, but the blueprint was stolen by VersaLife CEO Bob Page and his organization Majestic 12. With Bob Page planning on merging with a rogue AI to give him unlimited power, JC sets out to stop him and his right-hand man Walton Simons from taking over the world.

Deus Ex Gameplay
JC attacked by NSF forces. UNATCO employee Alex Jacobson gives JC information about his assignment in the message box above.

Trivia

Deus Ex takes inspiration from The Matrix and Blade, with the latter's main character sporting an outfit that is similar to JC's. The game's story is also based on conspiracy theories, such as extraterrestrial aliens and government plots. The game received a Playstation 2 port titled Deus Ex: The Conspiracy with subtle gameplay differences to fit the PS2's limitations. The sequel to the game, Deus Ex: Invisible War, was released in 2003. Two more games, Deus Ex: Human Revolution and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, were also produced as prequels to Deus Ex, featuring a mechanically augmented protagonist named Adam Jensen.

Kirsten's Score

Deus Ex Score
Gameplay 10/10
Graphics 8/10
Story 9/10
Sound 9/10