Deus Ex: Invisible War

 Xbox
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 52 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 52
  3. Negative: 5 out of 52
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  1. MichaelR.
    Dec 8, 2003
    6
    Big shoes to fill, considering how good the first one was. This one's dumbed-down and much shorter, and stresses the choice angle instead of character development. Many things were changed that didn't need to be--weapons & ammo (everything uses the same ammo, and only 2 mods/wepaon are allowed), the interface (the new one looks cool at first but ends up being a neverending Big shoes to fill, considering how good the first one was. This one's dumbed-down and much shorter, and stresses the choice angle instead of character development. Many things were changed that didn't need to be--weapons & ammo (everything uses the same ammo, and only 2 mods/wepaon are allowed), the interface (the new one looks cool at first but ends up being a neverending nuisance) and skills acquisition (gone) come to mind. Mods are somewhat more useful (in particular, the obscenely high energy requirements for many have been reduced) but absurdly easy to get, and your success relies too heavily on them. The plot is interesting but much less engaging (and ultimately, surprising) than the original. I'd have been happier with an expansion pack that just smartened up the AI a little, improved the visuals, and left the interface alone. Considering they had three years to work on this, the shortness is truly disappointing. Could have been much better, but still a worthwhile diversion. … Expand
  2. JohnP.
    Dec 6, 2003
    6
    Poor graphics, inintuitive UI, bad physics, linear, without any RPG elements except the simple *cough* biomods.
  3. BundisDito
    Jan 11, 2004
    5
    It looks good, but you pay for that with long load times. The level design is great in terms of artwork, but not in terms of layout. The levels are liberally splattered with huge, incongurous signs pointing the way to everything. I'm thinking especially of the Medinah in Cairo. It's like the artists finished the level, then some executive got lost, so they plastered huge "Plot It looks good, but you pay for that with long load times. The level design is great in terms of artwork, but not in terms of layout. The levels are liberally splattered with huge, incongurous signs pointing the way to everything. I'm thinking especially of the Medinah in Cairo. It's like the artists finished the level, then some executive got lost, so they plastered huge "Plot Point - This Way" arrows all over the game. The action is clunky due to the choppy framerate, and the stealth attempts are clumsy. It's like Splinter Cell for the simple-minded. The extras and manual make references to Thief 3, another Warren Spector series. I really hope they streamline things for Thief, or it'll spoil my PC memories of some great games.… Expand
  4. PaulO.
    Jul 23, 2004
    5
    A disappointing sequel to an excellent game. Invisible war strips out everything that made the first one unique and enjoyable and leaves nothing but a skeleton of a game. There is no skill system, apparently you start off as an expert with a rail cannon the first time you use it. You're given pretty much all the nanotech enhancements you need at the start of the game. All guns have A disappointing sequel to an excellent game. Invisible war strips out everything that made the first one unique and enjoyable and leaves nothing but a skeleton of a game. There is no skill system, apparently you start off as an expert with a rail cannon the first time you use it. You're given pretty much all the nanotech enhancements you need at the start of the game. All guns have the same ammo. Let me repeat that, ALL GUNS HAVE THE SAME AMMO. Whoever thought that was a smart idea should learn the difference between a rocket and a 9mm bullet when they put it in the guy's head. They even made using keypads automatic... no more punching in numbers. It was inconvinent, yeah, but it put you in the world. It made the game feel more alive. They watered the game down WAY too much. The only reason I played all the way through this game is to see what happened to JC at the end. But the graphics sure are pretty, aren't they?… Expand
  5. jwt7000
    Dec 14, 2011
    7
    This is the only owned Xbox game I have ever played in my life. The controls are difficult for a FPS/RPG unless you master the controller. Despite weaker graphics and a weaker story, the overall gameplay is more tossed up than the original.
  6. aspentitan
    Jan 9, 2020
    7
    I'm basically reviewing this game here in 2020 to see if this game holds the test of time. Games today have become quite linear and made for every Tom, Dick, Harry, Sally, Beth and little Beth Ann too which has inspired me a bit to give up on today's graphics in order to try to recapture gameplay again. This game has a very different feel to it compared to today's games and is a good gameI'm basically reviewing this game here in 2020 to see if this game holds the test of time. Games today have become quite linear and made for every Tom, Dick, Harry, Sally, Beth and little Beth Ann too which has inspired me a bit to give up on today's graphics in order to try to recapture gameplay again. This game has a very different feel to it compared to today's games and is a good game however by today's standards I'd say it's quite niche and I see why games have become so dumbed down after playing this. I found it quite frustrating and unenjoyable having such terrible maps and mission markers. Some of the quests in this game had only single conversations to identify your next goal and if you didn't hear the conversation for whatever reason you were kinda lost where to go. This at times makes you feel quite stupid. On the other hand this helped immersion. Similarly you had to basically learn the game world with very sparse help with maps if any. Again, immersion bonus but also time consuming and frustrating sometime even leading to complete boredom. To offset this though the game throws many weapons, mods, and choices at you very early in the game allowing you a highly personalized gameplay. I do respect that. I personally enjoyed that within the game real time events could happen and if you failed to listen or properly respond these events could pass and youde lose or gain a possible reward. This dramatically improved immersion. AI was as youde expect from 2000 or so and to be honest even today some games still have equally bad AI. Overall I'd say this game is a niche game and it will come down to your personality. If you are willing to overthrow today's OCD pacing and style and slow down to a more cottage style game this one is probably worth a try. I found it had decent design and although not intense you could make a great experience with it with some patience to accept the games style based off its creation date standards. Despite dating I'm happy to own this. It can be beat by many styles and it does have a realism mode which basically is one shot kills against you and one to two vs enemies. Although not perfect I'd definitely say this game is still worth checking out today. It does have its unique style merits. I rate games must buy at 8/10 so I'd say this is pretty decent but again not universal in appeal.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Best Xbox Game of 2003
35
#35 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 50 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 46 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 50
  3. Negative: 0 out of 50
  1. Weekly Famitsu
    78
    8 / 7 / 8 / 8 - 31 silver [Vol 810; 25 June 2004]
  2. GMR Magazine
    90
    No better and no worse a game than its predecessor, and there's absolutely no shame in that. And it's no airport novel, as it requires some serious time investment.
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  3. Xbox Nation Magazine
    80
    Gorgeous to behold, boasting dynamic lights, shadows, and interactive environments, making it relatively easy to suspend disbelief. [Mar 2004, p.64]
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