Deus Ex: Invisible War

 PC
User Score
6.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 350 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 139 out of 350
  2. Mixed: 132 out of 350
  3. Negative: 79 out of 350
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  1. Pelu
    Jan 6, 2011
    8
    I gave DX1 a 9, so this will get 8. What makes it slightly worse, is the level design that is somehow a bit ruined for the xbox. But it think this sequel also has one strength compared to the original: the plot runs smoother, and something important is always happening. The levels are not so boring long as in the end of original Deus Ex. Traditionally I'm a console hater, but universalI gave DX1 a 9, so this will get 8. What makes it slightly worse, is the level design that is somehow a bit ruined for the xbox. But it think this sequel also has one strength compared to the original: the plot runs smoother, and something important is always happening. The levels are not so boring long as in the end of original Deus Ex. Traditionally I'm a console hater, but universal ammo seems good to me, as I never enjoyed masturbating with 10 types of different ammo.… Expand
  2. Bass
    Jan 15, 2006
    10
    Brisk's review (see below) is spot on. Although not completely the perfect sequel that we hardcore fans were hoping for, this is still one of the most enjoyable titles that you will ever play. Any game bearing the Deus Ex name is going to be undisputably brilliant, and Invisible War is yet another masterpiece from gaming iconic Warren Spector. In my opinion the original Deus Ex is Brisk's review (see below) is spot on. Although not completely the perfect sequel that we hardcore fans were hoping for, this is still one of the most enjoyable titles that you will ever play. Any game bearing the Deus Ex name is going to be undisputably brilliant, and Invisible War is yet another masterpiece from gaming iconic Warren Spector. In my opinion the original Deus Ex is arguable the greatest game ever made, and those who do not play this sequel are missing out on what is the continuation of a truely outstanding francise.… Expand
  3. Stuart
    Jul 8, 2007
    10
    I absolutely hate a lot of the design decisions, the unified ammo, the new biomod system, tiny levels (i blame the 64mb of ram in the xbox), long load times, lack of skills etc. I hated it to the point where I shelved the game for a very long time (over a year), once you get over the shortcomings (in relation to it predecessor) what lies beneath is one of the best gaming experiences out I absolutely hate a lot of the design decisions, the unified ammo, the new biomod system, tiny levels (i blame the 64mb of ram in the xbox), long load times, lack of skills etc. I hated it to the point where I shelved the game for a very long time (over a year), once you get over the shortcomings (in relation to it predecessor) what lies beneath is one of the best gaming experiences out there. An engaging story, intelligent combat, biomods (FTW!!) etc combine to make it a truly memorable and engaging game. It will begin as one of the biggest disappointments to players and lovers (but I repeat myself) of the original game, but about 1/2 way through you will realize that it is truly a deserving sequel. For those who haven't played the original...jump in -you'll love every minute (including the first third or so that the DX1 players will spend begrudging).… Expand
  4. BakaD.
    Jun 25, 2007
    10
    Admittingly, Invisible War does not even deserve the 10 I
  5. OneVoice
    Nov 22, 2011
    9
    This game doesn't get nearly enough love. There is no doubt it's not as good as the original, or the recently released third game in the series, but this is a stellar game in it's own right. There's not as much area to explore as there is in either of the other two Deus Ex games, but what is there is done well. The story is great, especially if you've played the original game recently. TheThis game doesn't get nearly enough love. There is no doubt it's not as good as the original, or the recently released third game in the series, but this is a stellar game in it's own right. There's not as much area to explore as there is in either of the other two Deus Ex games, but what is there is done well. The story is great, especially if you've played the original game recently. The graphics are a little bit 'cartoony' (I guess that's what I'd call it), or at least don't seem to encapsulate the essence of the atmosphere of the game as well as the original game did. Despite all this though, the game is great. It's fun, it's engaging, and it's easy to sink into the well-designed world.… Expand
  6. LukeM
    Jan 13, 2010
    9
    As a huge fan of the original game that picked this up late I think I managed to avoid bloated expectations and after reading a few reviews I knew it was a different kind of game. I would agree with the statements of most people , the world wasn't as big and the story in some ways less complex but the atmosphere was amazing, as if you had been dropped into Blade Runner/Code46. As a huge fan of the original game that picked this up late I think I managed to avoid bloated expectations and after reading a few reviews I knew it was a different kind of game. I would agree with the statements of most people , the world wasn't as big and the story in some ways less complex but the atmosphere was amazing, as if you had been dropped into Blade Runner/Code46. especially the Cairo level standing out to me with nice touches throughout. a complex thrilling game with a bit too much fan boy backlash that sunk it.… Expand
  7. GeneralHoohah
    Jun 13, 2007
    9
    This game is perfect. The only reason people keep giving it average scores, is because nothing will live up to its predecessor. You can't compare Deus EX 2 to a game like Deus EX, even if it is the sequel. The first Deus EX was like the holy grail of video games when it first came out. It set new standards in the gaming industry at that time, and showed us a whole new level of gaming This game is perfect. The only reason people keep giving it average scores, is because nothing will live up to its predecessor. You can't compare Deus EX 2 to a game like Deus EX, even if it is the sequel. The first Deus EX was like the holy grail of video games when it first came out. It set new standards in the gaming industry at that time, and showed us a whole new level of gaming we had never scene before. Its as if everyone expected them to do it again, when it was more important to continue the story and carry over the standards set before in the first game with a newer engine. That… Expand
  8. Ithikial
    Jun 9, 2009
    8
    Though not the brilliance of the first, IW is still a quality game in it's own right with an ongoing story in a world that feels it is a carry on after the event from the Deus Ex. The gameplay is what let the game down compared to the first. It's still good but when compared to the first game it isn't in the same league.
  9. Chazd.
    Nov 30, 2003
    9
    Okay, so I haven't played the full thing, but I feel confident enough to write out a little review ahead of time. The game looks amazing, and the play style is exactly what I'm looking for in a game, wide open, guns, sci-fi, absolutely beautiful! In another note - I'd like to point out that Alex D. got SCHOOLED by the Ed! Heh, read the part at the very bottom of the link Okay, so I haven't played the full thing, but I feel confident enough to write out a little review ahead of time. The game looks amazing, and the play style is exactly what I'm looking for in a game, wide open, guns, sci-fi, absolutely beautiful! In another note - I'd like to point out that Alex D. got SCHOOLED by the Ed! Heh, read the part at the very bottom of the link where it says "4 Stars and an EC does NOT equal 80%". Life's good.… Expand
  10. NFS
    Nov 30, 2003
    10
    Hey ALEX D. you're forgetting, they also interpret the way they write the review. i guess they eliminate few things that doesn't matter ad doesn't hurt the game. some people could be very picky about stuff. anyways this game is one of the kind...of course after the first one.
  11. Soccermom
    Dec 15, 2003
    9
    You are so dumb to blame half of the limitations this game has on the XBOX. Everything that you guys say is missing on this release due to it being released on XBOX can be found on the XBOX. splinter cell its not like its not inconvenient for an XBOX player as compared to a PC player. I played this game on PC and own an XBOX but to blame on XBOX is just lame. Go .... and make your own You are so dumb to blame half of the limitations this game has on the XBOX. Everything that you guys say is missing on this release due to it being released on XBOX can be found on the XBOX. splinter cell its not like its not inconvenient for an XBOX player as compared to a PC player. I played this game on PC and own an XBOX but to blame on XBOX is just lame. Go .... and make your own sequel to the game.… Expand
  12. NotBrianL
    Dec 2, 2003
    10
    Brian L, if you indeed DID go out and buy the game the day it was released, then installed and noticed it's so bad it could rival 007 Nightfire then I still don't understand the 1 rating, you fakster! Rating this game low is like saying you didn't enjoy any part of it, and may I ask if you enjoyed not part in the last Barbie movie you watched? AS for this game, as soon as I Brian L, if you indeed DID go out and buy the game the day it was released, then installed and noticed it's so bad it could rival 007 Nightfire then I still don't understand the 1 rating, you fakster! Rating this game low is like saying you didn't enjoy any part of it, and may I ask if you enjoyed not part in the last Barbie movie you watched? AS for this game, as soon as I get my hands on it I'll play it for a week straight with awe FOR SURE!! … Expand
  13. JasonH.
    Jan 2, 2004
    8
    I have played the first one. This game is overall decent and well worth getting once around 29.99 or so. It is shorter than the first, but overall compares favorably. I DO NOT like shooters overall and consider myself a wargamer and rpg'er and almost didn't get it after reading some of these reviews. My only conclusion is the negative ones were written by people who had to have I have played the first one. This game is overall decent and well worth getting once around 29.99 or so. It is shorter than the first, but overall compares favorably. I DO NOT like shooters overall and consider myself a wargamer and rpg'er and almost didn't get it after reading some of these reviews. My only conclusion is the negative ones were written by people who had to have a perfect remake to be satisfied. Trust me, Ion Storm did not sell out to the console crowd. Did they lighten the game for it? Yes. But it is still a satisfying game experience (although short - finished in about 15 hours of play with lots of reloads and exploration). In a market of many, many less developed games - I rate this one highly.… Expand
  14. AlexandraT.
    Apr 4, 2004
    10
    How can't you like this game you just had your expections a little to high.
  15. Brisk
    Jan 5, 2006
    8
    When I first played this back in 2003, my expectations were unrealistically high. Like many others, I wanted the original Deus Ex with updated graphics, and better AI. Instead, I felt the game had been watered-down considerably, and many of the features that made the original so great (like ATM machines with real pins, a log you can add to etc..) were replaced with simple point & click When I first played this back in 2003, my expectations were unrealistically high. Like many others, I wanted the original Deus Ex with updated graphics, and better AI. Instead, I felt the game had been watered-down considerably, and many of the features that made the original so great (like ATM machines with real pins, a log you can add to etc..) were replaced with simple point & click operations. The graphics engine was also incredibly demanding at the time, and even those with the fastest PC's struggled to keep a consistantly decent framerate. The music wasn't as memorable as the original, and Alex Denton didn't seem to have the dark, gritty qualities that made JC so cool. However, I recently played through the game again. I found myself enjoying it much more when I tossed aside my sentiments of the original, and take DX:IW for what it really is - a reinterpration of the DX universe, which still has a great plot, interesting characters, and the same style of interactivity which made the original so special. If you want to get the most from this game, then play it with the mindframe that it isn't the sequel to the game we all love. You will enjoy it a lot more, and worry less about the faults, and more about the special things that this game has.… Expand
  16. MehmetT.
    Oct 9, 2007
    9
    This game definitely suffers from the unfair treatment of the Deus Ex fan community. Of course it is perfectly natural for people to compare this game to its predecessor, but people should realize that a sequel doesn't have to an upgraded version of the old one with prettier graphics and better sound effects. This is the thing at issue here, Invisible War is structured differently This game definitely suffers from the unfair treatment of the Deus Ex fan community. Of course it is perfectly natural for people to compare this game to its predecessor, but people should realize that a sequel doesn't have to an upgraded version of the old one with prettier graphics and better sound effects. This is the thing at issue here, Invisible War is structured differently from its predecessor and a lot of people are extremely frustrated by that. People should try to overcome that failed expectation and evaluate this game for its own merits. This is a solid FPS/RPG hybrid with a memorable story. You want to be rocket slinging death machine? Then go ahead and be so. Or maybe you want to be super stealthy and avoid killing anyone, you can do that too. You can be brutish and destructive, or you can be subtle and diplomatic. The gameplay has loads of options to chose from, and Invisible War does a better job of portraying that than its predecessor. The story is original, it moves beyond the cliché … Expand
  17. AngryMan
    May 2, 2008
    9
    This game holds the dubious distinction of being one of the most polarizing titles of all time. People either love it and think it's better than the original, or hate it and tack on words such as "mediocre" "Lobotomized" and "bland". Personally, I fall into a middle camp. I love this game. I love it just as much as I did its predecessor. But, they are not the same game. The mistake This game holds the dubious distinction of being one of the most polarizing titles of all time. People either love it and think it's better than the original, or hate it and tack on words such as "mediocre" "Lobotomized" and "bland". Personally, I fall into a middle camp. I love this game. I love it just as much as I did its predecessor. But, they are not the same game. The mistake many reviewers make (or made) lies in sticking to the purist belief that Invisible War should be measured against the first game, but where do you begin? Depending on your belief, the skills, biomods and inventory system has either been "lobotomized" or "Streamlined". The reviewer's point of view dictates whether the plot is perceived as "dumbed down" or "Punchy". Invisible War should not be measured against the yardstick set by Deus Ex. Their plot is shared, but otherwise they are sufficiently different to warrant being kept apart. Reviewed on its own merits however, Invisible War is a gold standard game, an excellent addition to anyone's library, and classic example of how to tell a good story and tell it well.… Expand
  18. SovietUnion
    Aug 24, 2003
    10
    Deus Ex the first kicked ass and so shall Deus Ex: Invisible War.
  19. JoshS.
    Apr 4, 2004
    10
    Briliant!!!
  20. JonathanF.
    Feb 9, 2005
    9
    Unfortunately, not a great leap forward from the original, but a small step back... The shooting is now much more enjoyable in IW than it was in DX. Even going around the Tarsus Academy picking off Order Seekers with my weedy pistol was better than trying to hit those NSF terrorists on Liberty Island. The augmentation system has been revamped, with the new name Biomod. In my opinion both Unfortunately, not a great leap forward from the original, but a small step back... The shooting is now much more enjoyable in IW than it was in DX. Even going around the Tarsus Academy picking off Order Seekers with my weedy pistol was better than trying to hit those NSF terrorists on Liberty Island. The augmentation system has been revamped, with the new name Biomod. In my opinion both it and the weapon mod system are both far easier to use than in the original. But what's bad? Well the subtitles are gone, so while the random conversations between NPCs still occur, sometimes you can't make out what they're saying. Also, too much choice? Perhaps. But still, it and the original are the two best PC games ever to make it into my disc drive - may they continue to do so.… Expand
  21. Chimp
    Jun 3, 2005
    9
    I dont understand why people didnt like this game. Ok yes the first one was better.....but this one has some genius ideas, graphics that still look amazing in 2005(it was made in late 2003), and a good plot with 4 endings. The pros: Graphics, new augmentations(Bot Domination is my new favorite), a new great story, reoccurence of characters from DX1, more open ended in terms of choosing I dont understand why people didnt like this game. Ok yes the first one was better.....but this one has some genius ideas, graphics that still look amazing in 2005(it was made in late 2003), and a good plot with 4 endings. The pros: Graphics, new augmentations(Bot Domination is my new favorite), a new great story, reoccurence of characters from DX1, more open ended in terms of choosing which side to follow(you are never forced into anything like in DX1). The cons: about 40% long as the original, too easy(i beat it on normal dying about 5 times the whole game), TINY LEVELS(the first one had HUUUGE levels! Lower Seattle is about 200 sq. ft!), and yes there are some console aspects to it. However I agree with Chris B. on one thing that this game IS a PC game, the only real console-ish aspect is the level size. An amazing game.… Expand
  22. KittenY.
    Nov 19, 2003
    10
    Even if it's only half its prequel, it still deserves 10.
  23. JS
    Nov 23, 2003
    10
    Quick update having just played the demo:

    Those of you still wondering whether to get this game might be better served by not playing this first demo. I would liken it to introducting someone to football (soccer) by making them watch Sky's player cam; you get an idea of what playing the game is like while having no idea what football is or represents. This short demo has    Quick update having just played the demo:

    Those of you still wondering whether to get this game might be better served by not playing this first demo. I would liken it to introducting someone to football (soccer) by making them watch Sky's player cam; you get an idea of what playing the game is like while having no idea what football is or represents. This short demo has unfinished graphics (I hope), almost no AI and a single level of a game that is meant to be one long immersive story and hence feels reather contrived. Many people will download it wondering what the big deal is to be confronted by an average FPS shooter - if you have no idea of the depth of the DX games, most of the subleties in the demo will remain hidden to you.

    I think games like this should stick to videos rather than demos to sell themselves.    … Expand
  24. PaulM.
    Dec 20, 2003
    9
    The game has minor flaws which should and can be overlooked.Stop comparing it to DX1 and enjoy it for itself,there is just too many cry babies out there who are not satisfied with anything.Spend a few minutes tweaking instead of bitching and maybe you will get a pleasant surprise.
  25. ReinhardM.
    Dec 6, 2003
    9
    Is it better than the prequel? No! Is it worse? Absolutely NOT! DX2 is an entertaining game, full of complex plots and story twists, packed with atmospheric graphics and dense locations. The unfied ammo doesn't bother me at all, 'cause like in DX1 you will have to think before you shoot. Can i afford the SMG? Or have i to use the baton? Or should i simply sneak around? It's Is it better than the prequel? No! Is it worse? Absolutely NOT! DX2 is an entertaining game, full of complex plots and story twists, packed with atmospheric graphics and dense locations. The unfied ammo doesn't bother me at all, 'cause like in DX1 you will have to think before you shoot. Can i afford the SMG? Or have i to use the baton? Or should i simply sneak around? It's the ole good DX1-gameplay! And to all those anti-console-fanatics: the interface is clean and simple to use. You hate it, because you hate consoles, and not because it's not useable (which it isn't after all!). Think about it and open your mind a little bit! Give DX2 a try, you will not regret it.… Expand
  26. MichalW.
    Dec 8, 2003
    10
    I haven't played this game yet ( I live in Europe... ), but I am a huge fan of the first Deus Ex and I just can't believe you guys who gave it 1, 2 or 4! I am sure that I will like it and with full confidence I give it 10. Spector, Smith and the other guys at ION can put bad console-like interface into the game, or uselessly simplify the ammo or do anything else, but they just I haven't played this game yet ( I live in Europe... ), but I am a huge fan of the first Deus Ex and I just can't believe you guys who gave it 1, 2 or 4! I am sure that I will like it and with full confidence I give it 10. Spector, Smith and the other guys at ION can put bad console-like interface into the game, or uselessly simplify the ammo or do anything else, but they just cannot make a crappy game!( I hope so ) 10. I'll like it even when everybody says 'it's a total mistake'. 10. … Expand
  27. JS
    Dec 8, 2003
    9
    Okay, first off for those of you upset at my first 'review' please notice the words, "hope" and "predict" - that's right, I wrote it as a 'PREview' (some two days before the demo was released). /Rant over. And now for my REview (ahem). Okay, so there will be two types of people who are going to read this, 1. the people who (like me) played and adored the original, Okay, first off for those of you upset at my first 'review' please notice the words, "hope" and "predict" - that's right, I wrote it as a 'PREview' (some two days before the demo was released). /Rant over. And now for my REview (ahem). Okay, so there will be two types of people who are going to read this, 1. the people who (like me) played and adored the original, and 2. the people who never heard of the original and are wondering where the hype came from. If you are in the 2. column, feel free to skip to the last paragraph. For the rest of us, let's hold off on the knives until we have examined the game a little more closely... Firstly, no this is not the prequel; DX1 inherited much from the likes of Thief and System Shock 2 (game dynamics and menu system), presonally I enjoyed sorting out my inventory, remembering passwords and keycodes, managing coutless types of ammo and counting my skill points until I could remove my sniper-shake. Almost all of this complexity has gone from IW and the blame has fallen squarely on the Xbox. The graphics on the original were let's be honest, a bit poor, I expected great things from this (something just behind HL2 and Doom3) but again, the Xbox limitations are blamed for poor visuals. I happen to think this is unfair, sure it is a bit of a system hog, but it runs well on my 2G AMD with 9800pro at 1024. The most important thing to realise with the visuals are, 1. Remove the damn 'bloom' feature - it's awful (and still doesn't do what it's supposed to do - wait till HL2's HDR...) 2. READ THE ION STORM FORUMS. Can't emphasise that last one enough. But what of the game - assuming it runs smoothly enough and we geeks can get over the fact that we have so few slots and only one type of ammo... Well I 'm beginning to think that perhaps it is not completely the Xbox's fault. Think back now, WHY did you love the original so much? Was it the inventory? Graphics maybe? Possibly the AI? Or maybe it was that you felt so much a part of an unfolding storyline that you couldn't care less what the game played or looked like? As a point of interest, when I first got DX1, I installed it, played it for 10 minutes and left it alone for five months before giving it another try. So what of DXIW? Okay, the graphics are not next-gen; no astronomic polygon count and badly in need of tweaking and patching; but the dynamic lighting (best since Blade of Darkness) Havok (such fun throwing things around), ragdoll-physics (such fun throwing people around) are superbly implemented. The weapons are only really tools that help you accomplish your goal, rather than the glossy graphic,ever-present at the bottom of the screen that you yearn to replace with a bigger one. The levels - well, they are environments, not paths with strategically placed guards, they are laboratories, hotels, clubs - places with backdoors, air conditioning (lots of that), stairs, locks, basements, roofs... The more you play this game the more you realise that the makers stripped away the geeky anorak of DX1 in an attempt to reveal the beauty that unerpinned the original to an audience that the orignal could never reach - they try to give unscripted, non-linear, player-centric gaming to the masses - not the elite (or 'Illuminati' as I like to be called). Yes there are bugs - I hate the breaks for loading (yes, blame the Xbox), the actual functionality of the ingame menus is very annoying (Xbox, thanks), the game engine needs polishing for performance (but then again, we would still be waiting for it otherwise) and a few other gripes besides those. But is it any good? Would I recommend it as I did in my preview? Yes and no. It could have been better, and I personally would have been just fine had they forgotten about the Xbox all together. But this is Deus Ex - there are no other games like it... I will give it a mark (probably not 10) but in truth the mark is all but irrelevant; THERE ARE NO OTHER GAMES LIKE THIS - developers simply don't care enough to duplicate the formula and really, it deserves to be in it's own category - something like ,"Immersive Interactivity" or "Other World Experience" or "Patient Computerised Living". No, this game is not perfect - break it down and criticise it if you will - but I think I will stand by my conviction that one day, all games will follow the road first trodden by Deus Ex. DXIW, given some faults is still the second step on that road.… Expand
  28. JS
    Dec 8, 2003
    9
    Okay, first off for those of you upset at my first 'review' please notice the words, "hope" and "predict" - that's right, I wrote it as a 'PREview' (some two days before the demo was released). /Rant over. And now for my REview (ahem). Okay, so there will be two types of people who are going to read this, 1. the people who (like me) played and adored the original, Okay, first off for those of you upset at my first 'review' please notice the words, "hope" and "predict" - that's right, I wrote it as a 'PREview' (some two days before the demo was released). /Rant over. And now for my REview (ahem). Okay, so there will be two types of people who are going to read this, 1. the people who (like me) played and adored the original, and 2. the people who never heard of the original and are wondering where the hype came from. If you are in the 2. column, feel free to skip to the last paragraph. For the rest of us, let's hold off on the knives until we have examined the game a little more closely... Firstly, no this is not the prequel; DX1 inherited much from the likes of Thief and System Shock 2 (game dynamics and menu system), presonally I enjoyed sorting out my inventory, remembering passwords and keycodes, managing coutless types of ammo and counting my skill points until I could remove my sniper-shake. Almost all of this complexity has gone from IW and the blame has fallen squarely on the Xbox. The graphics on the original were let's be honest, a bit poor, I expected great things from this (something just behind HL2 and Doom3) but again, the Xbox limitations are blamed for poor visuals. I happen to think this is unfair, sure it is a bit of a system hog, but it runs well on my 2G AMD with 9800pro at 1024. The most important thing to realise with the visuals are, 1. Remove the damn 'bloom' feature - it's awful (and still doesn't do what it's supposed to do - wait till HL2's HDR...) 2. READ THE ION STORM FORUMS. Can't emphasise that last one enough. But what of the game - assuming it runs smoothly enough and we geeks can get over the fact that we have so few slots and only one type of ammo... Well I 'm beginning to think that perhaps it is not completely the Xbox's fault. Think back now, WHY did you love the original so much? Was it the inventory? Graphics maybe? Possibly the AI? Or maybe it was that you felt so much a part of an unfolding storyline that you couldn't care less what the game played or looked like? As a point of interest, when I first got DX1, I installed it, played it for 10 minutes and left it alone for five months before giving it another try. So what of DXIW? Okay, the graphics are not next-gen; no astronomic polygon count and badly in need of tweaking and patching; but the dynamic lighting (best since Blade of Darkness) Havok (such fun throwing things around), ragdoll-physics (such fun throwing people around) are superbly implemented. The weapons are only really tools that help you accomplish your goal, rather than the glossy graphic,ever-present at the bottom of the screen that you yearn to replace with a bigger one. The levels - well, they are environments, not paths with strategically placed guards, they are laboratories, hotels, clubs - places with backdoors, air conditioning (lots of that), stairs, locks, basements, roofs... The more you play this game the more you realise that the makers stripped away the geeky anorak of DX1 in an attempt to reveal the beauty that unerpinned the original to an audience that the orignal could never reach - they try to give unscripted, non-linear, player-centric gaming to the masses - not the elite (or 'Illuminati' as I like to be called). Yes there are bugs - I hate the breaks for loading (yes, blame the Xbox), the actual functionality of the ingame menus is very annoying (Xbox, thanks), the game engine needs polishing for performance (but then again, we would still be waiting for it otherwise) and a few other gripes besides those. But is it any good? Would I recommend it as I did in my preview? Yes and no. It could have been better, and I personally would have been just fine had they forgotten about the Xbox all together. But this is Deus Ex - there are no other games like it... I will give it a mark (probably not 10) but in truth the mark is all but irrelevant; THERE ARE NO OTHER GAMES LIKE THIS - developers simply don't care enough to duplicate the formula and really, it deserves to be in it's own category - something like ,"Immersive Interactivity" or "Other World Experience" or "Patient Computerised Living". No, this game is not perfect - break it down and criticise it if you will - but I think I will stand by my conviction that one day, all games will follow the road first trodden by Deus Ex. DXIW, given some faults is still the second step on that road.… Expand
  29. Sintax
    Dec 9, 2003
    8
    No, its not as good as the orginal - but yes, its still worth checking out -MAJOR FLAW : the graphics engine sucks, big time and it crashes alot on my high end system.
  30. J.L.V'Tar
    Jan 27, 2004
    9
    I really cannot think of much more to say than simply; this is one of the best games created recently. It is not the "glorious breakthrough" of its progenitor, but in that regard only about 10% of any games produced in this day and age have anything to do with storyline or a real decision-making process on the player's part. Compare DX2 to other games currently on the market, and I really cannot think of much more to say than simply; this is one of the best games created recently. It is not the "glorious breakthrough" of its progenitor, but in that regard only about 10% of any games produced in this day and age have anything to do with storyline or a real decision-making process on the player's part. Compare DX2 to other games currently on the market, and tell me it warrants any rating below a 7. This game holds a magnificent story, allows the player to actually think instead of pull the trigger and jump excessively (which is probably why a lot of imbeciles out there are griping), and said story is actually rather daring considering the recent state of world politics. Bravo, Ion Storm.… Expand
  31. JoeF.
    Jul 11, 2004
    9
    I loved the original, but because everyone seemed so disappointed in this sequel I didn't buy it until I saw it for a low price. Now I just don't understand what people were talking about, as this is a fantastic game. There are some things that are very different than what fans are used to from Deus Ex, and there are some things that aren't quite as good as they were in the I loved the original, but because everyone seemed so disappointed in this sequel I didn't buy it until I saw it for a low price. Now I just don't understand what people were talking about, as this is a fantastic game. There are some things that are very different than what fans are used to from Deus Ex, and there are some things that aren't quite as good as they were in the original, but Deus Ex: Invisible War still features the clever gameplay, the feeling of actually being in control and the interesting story of the original. This is a must-buy.… Expand
  32. JesseC.
    Dec 31, 2005
    8
    There are definitely problems in the game, and nostalgic fans will probably be disappointed by how many changes they've made to the Deus Ex formula. Invisible War's pros: has one of the most engaging dynamic stories in gaming to date that will keep you addicted until the game's end; the graphics technology that powers the game is amazing (seeing every object in the game be There are definitely problems in the game, and nostalgic fans will probably be disappointed by how many changes they've made to the Deus Ex formula. Invisible War's pros: has one of the most engaging dynamic stories in gaming to date that will keep you addicted until the game's end; the graphics technology that powers the game is amazing (seeing every object in the game be affected by dynamic lights is nice!); the sound is extremely impressive (the game is fully voice-overed and it isn't bad at all, and every object has a differant sound for colliding into things); bio-modding is simple and fun. Invisible War's cons: levels feel very claustrophobic and are very small; too frequently will you have to load; load times are long; framerate is choppy (even on high end computers); At best, the A.I is about as smart as a small dog; Combat is never that thrilling, which encourages you to avoid confrontations. While there are definitely more cons than pros, the game still keeps you entertained. If you are an avid fan of Deus Ex 1 like myself you'll probably get quite abit out of this game, but it's definitely not the same experience you got out of the original.… Expand
  33. ChrisB.
    Feb 28, 2005
    9
    Invisible War seems to get trashed by many fans of the original game because they feel it got dumbed down, or console-d. Personally, I never liked the original game much - i thought it was clunky (especially when it came to combat). Invisible War was fighting an uphill battle. It needed to fix some things about the original that many people didn't like, such as the combat, interface, Invisible War seems to get trashed by many fans of the original game because they feel it got dumbed down, or console-d. Personally, I never liked the original game much - i thought it was clunky (especially when it came to combat). Invisible War was fighting an uphill battle. It needed to fix some things about the original that many people didn't like, such as the combat, interface, and obviously the graphics. Unfortunately, many Deus Ex fans expected the exact same game but with updated graphics. To me, they mostly succeeded. Invisible War has incredible graphics - it needs a fast processor and video card to run well and look good. The interface is much easier and quicker to use than the original (thankfully), and the combat is much more in line with a FPS game. The story is deep, long and involving and the level design is magnificent. I enjoyed this game from beginning to end, and i'm a gamer who DESPISES dumb console games - folks, Invisible War is a PC game with PC controls, graphics and depth. It's one of the best FPS games ever. Is it as good as the original? Yes, but it's different.… Expand
  34. AlexS.
    Jun 27, 2007
    9
    One of the best! The game lets you be very creative in how you complete your missions. You can play this game over and over, and the outcome can be different every time. Graphics are good, physics are awesome. Storyline can be confusing, but still interesting.
  35. J.S.
    Nov 21, 2003
    10
    There is great hope for this game and with good reason given the original. With the use of Havok2 physics and realtime lighting with the latest 3D cards, expect the graphics to be outodone only when HL2 and Doom3 eventually come out. But don't hold out for HL-redefining gameplay in it's sequel, don't hold out for a gripping ride in Doom3 either. Make no mistake; the makers There is great hope for this game and with good reason given the original. With the use of Havok2 physics and realtime lighting with the latest 3D cards, expect the graphics to be outodone only when HL2 and Doom3 eventually come out. But don't hold out for HL-redefining gameplay in it's sequel, don't hold out for a gripping ride in Doom3 either. Make no mistake; the makers of DXIW for all their efforts to make the game visually amazing, have concentrated on true, open ended gameplay which will help mark a watershed in gaming (being x-platform will also help). I predict that this game will help guide the future of computer gaming; the ability of the player to enter a world that they have full control over, where their decisions actually have impact on both environment and plot. Tell all your friends, get them to tell all theirs; even if you have to beg, steal or kill, get this game; witness the future of gaming first hand.… Expand
  36. SandeProElite
    Apr 6, 2012
    8
    The game is not bad. It's not as good as the original Deus Ex but I still enjoyed playing it. Most levels still had that Deus Ex feel to them which I really enjoyed. I think people compare this game too much with the original game giving it a too low score.
  37. jugadorhardcore
    Feb 1, 2018
    9
    Great game! i dont know why is so hated. completly underrated. The only problem (and probably a big one) is that JC looks absolutly different in comparisson to Deus Ex 1. Is like other guy. the developers had a brain collapse or something. its awful
  38. Smaseliaf
    Aug 7, 2015
    8
    It doesn’t equal the predecessor, however this is a solid FPS/RPG cyberpunk hybrid with fun gameplay, gripping story (despite far-fetched twists), much optional stuff and several factions (tricking your enemies into attacking each other is always hilarious).

    My main complaint concerns the unbalanced and limited biomod system: maximum level 3 can be reached very easily, while some    It doesn’t equal the predecessor, however this is a solid FPS/RPG cyberpunk hybrid with fun gameplay, gripping story (despite far-fetched twists), much optional stuff and several factions (tricking your enemies into attacking each other is always hilarious).

    My main complaint concerns the unbalanced and limited biomod system: maximum level 3 can be reached very easily, while some biomods (e.g. aggressive defense drone, vision enhancement) completely pale in comparison to the really useful ones (e.g. thermal masking, regeneration).

    All in all, if you like cyberpunk games, don’t miss this one.    … Expand
  39. DeusXCom
    Aug 5, 2014
    8
    One of the biggest disappointments in gaming history? Maybe. Bad game? Hell NO! Get real, it doesn't matter what this game would be like, it could never surpass the original Deus Ex. Deus Ex is the best game ever created, so it's kinda hard to do that. But while I was furious about all that "consolization" be it UI or visuals, or overall simplification of the game mechanics, I was justOne of the biggest disappointments in gaming history? Maybe. Bad game? Hell NO! Get real, it doesn't matter what this game would be like, it could never surpass the original Deus Ex. Deus Ex is the best game ever created, so it's kinda hard to do that. But while I was furious about all that "consolization" be it UI or visuals, or overall simplification of the game mechanics, I was just disgusted by that, but once I got used to it, I enjoyed my experience with Deus Ex 2 quite a lot. It's really not that bad, it still got some of that Deus Ex vibe, even though it's much lighter and softer version, but the atmosphere and the story is still there and it's definitely worth playing and can be a pretty strong experience. 8/10… Expand
  40. technofan21
    Jul 7, 2015
    10
    Okay, I understand that there is a lot of hate for this game. Noted. However, before you completely discount this review, haters, understand the fact that I come back to this series every year to play all the games through again, including the original(yet I don't consider The Fall to be canon). However I do have another fact to admit, and this is the fact that this was my first experienceOkay, I understand that there is a lot of hate for this game. Noted. However, before you completely discount this review, haters, understand the fact that I come back to this series every year to play all the games through again, including the original(yet I don't consider The Fall to be canon). However I do have another fact to admit, and this is the fact that this was my first experience with Deus Ex. Unfortunately I didn't possess a good enough computer to run the first Deus Ex when it came out, the knowledge of the game completely passed me by. It's strange how after Deus Ex met with such critical acclaim in its' time, only a couple years after (when I started to get into PC gaming) I had never heard mention of it till its' sequel was released on the Xbox platform. So, yeah, I have a little bit of a childhood blinders on but still this game deserves a better look, even from hardcore fans of the original.

    There is a reason why I go back to play every Deus Ex game every year, it's because these games get me hooked by their brilliant stories and Franken-Genre take on the FPS blockbuster. In no other game can I find an RPG FPS with minor Platforming elements with a deep and detailed storlyine. It just doesn't exist, and each part of this series has a different flavor entirely.

    As for Invisible War, this game has a very unique feel to it and it stands out from 1 and Human Revolution quite a bit, and it is as other people put it, kind of cold and apathetic. But for some reason, that doesn't exactly make me hate this game. The character you play as is pretty out of touch with reality, almost robotic, yet this sort of makes sense because he was... well... if you played the game you know his back story so I won't go and spoil it for any poor soul who hasn't played this yet.

    On top of that, this bland character gives you the ability to sorta impose your own conscience over your decisions. In the end, Alex Denton feels more like a conscientious objector, a spectator; this fact gives the player the ability to let their own feelings and morals take control of the character's actions and in this way the player becomes the character. No other part of the Deus Ex franchise provides the means to interact with your character in this way.

    The graphics, while they weren't exactly the best thing in their time, are still quite enjoyable to me today, and this is because it still delivers this cold and detached atmosphere that is not present in the other Deus Ex games. Combined with the (enjoyable) coldness of Alex Denton, it achieves in pulling off that not-so-bright future feel that some books like Farenheit 451 have. While the original Deus Ex and Human Revolution seem a little bit over-the-top, Invisible War seems quite subtle in comparison to the other two.

    So, while I understand that there are a couple of things to hate on (really easy, too loose with the ammo and upgrades, well, that's pretty much my main gripe with Human Revolution too, except for the bugs), I give this game a 10 because I can't find it anywhere else. This game feels like playing a Hardcore Sci-Fi novel, and that is pretty much the coolest thing ever    … Expand
  41. MCFThousandCuts
    Sep 28, 2015
    8
    Here's a case of a perfectly good game all it done wrong was not be the first game the attitude of a game is worse because its not the first is a popular one lately, of course follow ups are not going to have the new feel that the first game does as its building on that foundation and unless games adds 100 new features and mega shiny graphics they get slated.
  42. arostislavna
    Dec 1, 2021
    8
    Pretty good game, has lots of cons but is still better than most games these days.

    Sadly, it feels incredibly like a FPS rather than an RPG.
  43. jumpinglangur
    Dec 6, 2018
    9
    It took me a while to get into, including two failed attempts at playing it over a few years, but when I finally played it from beginning to end my opinion of it made a 180. This is in fact a very good game, whose technical prowess was way ahead of its time. The story is amazing and contains some very interesting turns and twists. The shooter mechanics are much better than the original,It took me a while to get into, including two failed attempts at playing it over a few years, but when I finally played it from beginning to end my opinion of it made a 180. This is in fact a very good game, whose technical prowess was way ahead of its time. The story is amazing and contains some very interesting turns and twists. The shooter mechanics are much better than the original, and the overall atmosphere conveys the overall desolate mood perfectly.
    It is, though, a bad port. The PC version could have been much much better than what we have. They should at least have reworked the interface and decrease fix the very many loading screens.    … Expand
  44. ylnylmn
    Mar 23, 2021
    8
    I played the first Deus Ex and it is in my top 5 games. I can understand why they dislike this game. But regardless of the first game, the game is fine and playable except for a few minor bugs. It is a very good game for the year as a graphics and physics engine. Even though the story is very similar to the first game, I was still not bored, it was gripping. In-game dialogs are very simpleI played the first Deus Ex and it is in my top 5 games. I can understand why they dislike this game. But regardless of the first game, the game is fine and playable except for a few minor bugs. It is a very good game for the year as a graphics and physics engine. Even though the story is very similar to the first game, I was still not bored, it was gripping. In-game dialogs are very simple and short. The world feels a little empty and the missions are few. The loading screens are a bit long. AI is weak but OK. Biomods and weapon modes lose their importance after the first few hours of the game. When the game was over, I had 9 black market, 6 normal biomods and as many weapon modes as I could not count. The game isn't bad enough to be hated, and its score is unnecessarily low.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

48
#48 Best PC Game of 2003
11
#11 Most Discussed PC Game of 2003
41
#41 Most Shared PC Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 44 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 44
  3. Negative: 0 out of 44
  1. Total Video Games
    90
    One of the most captivating and thoroughly polished titles in recent times. It’s not perfect, however anyone who has an interest in well-crafted Sci-Fi storylines a la "Minority Report" will find themselves completely captivated with this game.
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  2. PC Gameworld
    80
    A somewhat disappointing, but fun sequel.
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  3. eToychest
    50
    It absolutely defines mediocrity.
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