Deus Ex

Review

by Jason White

Deus Ex, developed by Ion Storm for the PC and ported to the Macintosh by Westlake Interactive, is a nice blend of action and RPG-style character development and should keep just about every type of gamer happy. While fighting is a huge part of the game, there is plenty of character interaction and development, an amazing plot, and detailed level designs that make good use of the Macintosh. The game, though, requires significant system resources so expect a strain on even a late model G3.

As always seems to be the case, the future has become a cold, dark inhospitable place. A plague known as the Gray Death is killing many people throughout the world. Fortunately, there is a cure called Ambrosia but, unfortunately, only the rich and powerful have access. Because of this new terror, a freedom-fighting organization has risen up from the ashes of the world in order to create a balance. After all, being rich shouldn't mean that one deserves to live more than those with less money. You're caught in the middle of what is right and what the government sees as right.

You play as UNATCO special agent J.C. Denton, the first agent to be outfitted with nano-augmentations that turn him into a super soldier. You begin with only one such augmentation, a low light optical modifier. Treat it well because, as you travel through the game, you will be able to upgrade and add other nano-augmentations. But, the job's not easy. Being fresh out of the academy and the first augmented agent can have some disadvantages.

Like all good government plans, this is a need-to-know operation and even you don't know all the details until you're in the thick of the action. As you travel, you run into other UNATCO agents who have been modified with cybernetics and now, thanks to you, are thought of as obsolete. Be ready for some seriously bruised feelings.

Some of the agents will be really nasty, especially if you flaunt your abilities and getting information from them may be a bit interesting at times. The only person who is totally on your side is your brother Paul who tells you about each mission. Pay close attention to what he says and what he does since it can affect the outcome of the game!

What really makes the game something to stand up and take notice of is the moral dilemma it presents. Deus Ex isn't just a game, it's a statement. The government views these freedom fighters as terrorists but others view them as leaders of a revolt against a corrupt government. Your job is to stand fast and protect the establishment. But, you have some serious decisions as to whether you want to be the good G-man or a man of the common-folk. Each decision will affect the game's direction.

Some games are linear but in Deus Ex you can go just about anywhere you choose. Nothing is set in stone, much like real life. Make no mistake, though, there is a structure to the game with primary mission goals and lots of side adventures that add hours to gameplay, not to mention all the skill points and interesting gear you can find!

As far as the first-person shooter aspect, this is a quality game. It uses the Unreal Tournament engine which makes for some really smooth graphics and interfaces. You can set up your keyboard however you want and most game pads are supported. The camera perspective can be a bit annoying when you're doing some hand-to-hand combat but, since the game is mostly about being a stealthy agent, it's the best way to view the game.

Stealth is a matter of perspective, though. Oddly enough, you can kill everyone from hostages and terrorists to just about anyone and get only a slight slap on the wrist. So, you can be extra cautious or a stone-cold killer. Either way, the government doesn't care as long as you complete your mission.

Another aspect that sets the game apart from the average first-person shooter is the ability to upgrade your character and not just in the weapons area. You are awarded skill points as you defeat enemies and complete missions that can be used to upgrade your super-agent abilities, ranging from pistol and rifle skills to computer hacking and lock picking. However, you have to choose a certain path to take because there aren't enough skill points to be perfect in each of the abilities.

The combat system is very realistic. The game employs a hit-location system similar to the one used in Vagrant Story, so where you take damage affects how you perform in the game. Take too much damage in any particular area and it can really cramp your style and mobility. For example, a serious wound to your arms will affect how you hold a weapon or fight in close quarters. Fortunately, the same holds true for the enemy.

If you become highly skilled in using rifles, getting off a head shot is easy and deadly, thus you must decide early on how you want to distribute your skill points. Severe damage can also hamper and possibly destroy your nano-augmentations. Medical kits are available but are tough to find and you'll really need to scour the levels to locate them. If you've taken the time to find them, though, and have the skill points, you can increase your medical skills and help make the medkits last longer.

Finding medkits isn't the only reason you need to search each level thoroughly. You and you alone can upgrade your nano-augmentations by finding Nanite canisters. Each one either increases the level of a current augmentation or gives you a new one. A word of caution - adding them to your system yourself can really mess up a self-install and destroy or damage your nano-augmentations, so you need to get to the nearest medical facility and have a med-bot install them for you to be safe. Keep in mind that your nano-augmentation powers don't have infinite energy and you'll need to keep them powered up with bio-electric energy cells.

The only real downside to the game is the huge system requirements. The minimum requirements will get the game up and running but with a low-end system, you will experience slow downs and, in some cases, a stuttering effect in movement. Also, when you've got six or more enemies coming at you and voice acting cuts in, the game slows to a halt. Unfortunately, this limits who can buy this otherwise great and worthwhile game.