Nometet’s Budget Buys : Deus Ex (2001) 9.5

A few days ago, Nometet and I were talking about our favourite games. I said, obviously, the Total War series, as these games are LEGEND. He said he liked a real time futuristic strategy game called Metal Issue or something. However, man cannot live on RTS alone (Or can he?), and so the conversation turned to other genres. It quickly turned out that there was a key difference between us - he liked RPGs, I like FPSs. What if there was a game that combined these two elements? Now, this is the point when some learned people will throw up their hands and cry the name of Star Wars Galaxies. This, I will reply, is an MMORPG (So many acronyms) and also is not very good. Some unlearned people who like mindless violence and hardcore drugs will say GTA. Puh-lease. So, I hear your brain subconsciously ask me in an effort to communicate telepathically (Which will fail - you are not nano-augmented yet), what can I do if I, too, would like to purchase such a game. My superiorly augmented brain will then call your phone and tell you to rush to the nearest games shop and by Deus Ex.

need...better...textures

"What? ME? By a game made in the distant past? A product of (almost) the last century? No chance!" Will be what you are shouting at your screen now (If you are so that way inclined to do). However, you must dissuade these negative thoughts and buy this game. Because if you don't, you will miss out on the BEST gaming experince of this type made in the past, present or future. Do not be put off by this screenshot. It is not 2D, the guns are just a bit angular, thats all.

No, seriously, this game is actually one of the best ever made, as voted by ALL the major games reviewers. The amount of depth is staggering. Think of it as Oblivion in 2052. You are not halfway there...

It is set in, as I said, a world in the not to distant future. A mysterious disease called the "Grey Death" is ravaging the population. Many terrorist groups, restless with the constant disinformation and taxation by the government have sprung up, keen to get power back to the people and distribute the highly controlled vaccine ambrosia. A highly complex plot develops which I'm not going to go through for two reasons : One, because I havn't actually completed the game yet *hangs head in shame*, Two, because that would spoil it for you and Three, because, and this is where the RPG element kicks in, the plot will vary according to what you do whilst playing. There are at least three different endings anyway, and there is always far more than one way to complete a level.

The RPG side of the game works well, with you being the first in a line of "bio-mechs" who have been "nano-augmented" to "be-better". These augments are just things that you find lying around, mostly and they are not really all that usefull, aside from the light. They all use up "bio-electricity" which can also be found in cells on the ground. For doing certain things - completing a mission, discovering a subplot etc. - you get skill points which you can use to upgrade your character's...um...skills. These can be useful, but you must spend them wisely for them to have effect. Finally, there is money, which you are given for completing missions or can find lying around. This can be used to buy things like weapon ammo and alcohol(!).

The level of depth of the game is staggering, and when playing it you barely notice the poor (by today's standards, anyhow) graphics.Rats run around your feet in the sewers (And often under them too - the ground becomes littered with "animal carcassses" which you have walked over),  dejected looking people walk around, whom you can interact with, items like beer and basketballs (I kid you not - see below), and a vast variety of weapons like crowbars and flamethrowers to keep you amused for hours.

Yes - it's a basketball alright

The FPS element is good, and a refreshing change from any other - without stealth you will die. FACT. Yes, even on easy. The terrorists and other NPCs all are worryingly hard to kill and it is hard to aim too, so going in, all guns blazing shouting "LEEEEEERRRROOOOOY JeeeeEEENNNKINS!!!!!!!!" will not work. As you can see from the screenshot, there is a large variety of weapons. Keeping in with the stealth element, I actually have found that the crossbow (in slot 5) is the most useful - hitting someone with the tranquilizer dart WILL knock them out, it just takes a while. Sure, they may sound the alarm, but a slow attrition of hit - tranquilize- run away will always prevail over mad dashes.

You must by this game. Whether you like FPS, RPG or even just doom and gloom set in 50 years time, you must by this game. This IS a gaming classic. This is Deus Ex

Nometet.com says 9.5

+Incredibly Immersive

+FUN

+A classic that you cannot do without

+RPG and FPS - what more could you want?

-Can I has graphics pleaz?