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I will not be a hater. I will not be a hater...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: February 13, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Often when I struggle to write a review, it's when I know I have to pan something despite how much I want to like it. The game gets all kinds of points for cool features, but in the end it just isn't any fun. I finally have the opposite story here. Invisible War has nits begging to be picked everywhere, and comparing it to Deus Ex is almost unfair, because it falls short of that standard on every conceivable level. However, halfway through my second time into the game, I can't escape one truth. This game's a lot of fun, and when it is, it's fun for the same reasons the original was. I can't unconditionally recommend it; it certainly has some problems that might be deal-breakers for some people. But if you like open-ended action-adventuring or you liked Deus Ex (and who didn't?), you'll probably find things to enjoy here.

There's not much point to explaining the story, as it's pretty inconsequential. It's pretty cheesy sci-fi fare (like Deus Ex) that isn't very compelling (~un~like Deus Ex). Suffice it to say the year is 2072 and you start in an academy for gifted youngsters. Very shortly into the game, you leave the academy with some biomodifications (think superpowers) and some gear, and you set out on a globetrotting quest to save/rule/destroy the world, whatever your pleasure may be.

You play from a first person perspective and all the shooter conventions are in place here. As advertised, you're more than welcome to play this game as Doom, and just blast the bejeezus out of everything. You can also go for the stealthy approach, or mix the two for the ever-popular sneak-n-snipe experience, or rely more on talking your way through the game, or whatever suits your fancy. If you played the original, you know the drill.

The multiple solutions to every problem angle is pretty well confined to what you can do with the environment. That is, the RPG sheen of the original is gone. There are no skill points; there are no skills. So how you deal with an obstacle is usually dictated by what's easiest given the equipment and biomods that you have. A little bit of RPG flavor here, but not much.

Still it's fun, skill points or not. Example. I need to destroy an air defense turret so that the helicopter in which I plan to leave Seattle can safely take off. Near that turret, there's a smaller security turret, which is there to kill me if an alarm goes off. There's also a door, on the other side of which is the computer where I can shut the big turret down. The door is locked, of course, and I don't have a passcode, and I'm out of multitools (gadgets that open anything). If I try to blow the door off with a grenade, the small turret will rip me to shreds. I might just as well have gone off looking for another multitool; instead I use one of my biomods that lets me take over robots and turrets. I use the small turret to destroy the big one, and I never even had to get on the other side of the door.

And this is the game. You alternate between collecting tasks and deciding how best to discharge them. The quests that you get come from various competing factions (who will regularly and annoyingly pop up on the screen to talk to you, almost in angels/devils on the shoulder fashion), and there's always plenty to do. Usually, working for one faction will tick off another. And story-wise, the game suffers because, in trying to keep it nonlinear, what's been produced is a game basically made up entirely of side quests, so that the main story, such as it is, is thoroughly forgettable. This, too, comes with a good news aspect, though, as the side quests are not of the "find my lost puppy" variety. Contract hits are much more common, which, however you feel about the morality, is at least a little bit weighty. It's worth mentioning that it's possible to finish this game without ever touching a weapon.

As in the first game, it's the biomods that steal the show. The real fun ultimately derives from custom-building your super-dude and seeing what it can do. There are five biomod slots, and you have three choices for what you want to use each one on. Want to be Rambo? There's a biomod that makes enemy rockets detonate before they reach you and another that lets you regenerate health from the corpses from your victims. There's a good start. Prefer Solid Snake? Go for invisibility and silent running. You design the character you want to play and go get the job done accordingly. Whatever other problems the game has, from moment to moment it stays engaging because of this open-ended nature.

Graphically, the game isn't all that good. Anything we may have gotten better at in terms of pixels and polygons since the original is lost in artistry. Areas are constrained. Cities feel like boxes, and load times are long and frequent. Ditto for sounds. Ambient music is almost nonexistent and not that good, and the entire voice cast (even returning characters from the original) sound like they're straight from a high school play. Atmosphere is severely lacking.

The promise of improved AI went unfulfilled, and it contributes to the problem. People will stand there and watch you as you steal things from right off their desks. In one case, I actually told a man that I was hired to kill him, and he and his bodyguard watched as I calmly walked to a corner of the room with good cover, pulled my rifle and shot him. And of course there's the unified ammo, of which you're probably aware. Your dart gun uses the same ammo as your flamethrower. The suspension of disbelief can be tough to come by in this game at times.

Overall, though, the game mechanics that made the original succeed work here. Problems? You bet. As good as Deus Ex? Not on your life. Fun? Absolutely.

decent sequel

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: December 25, 2004
Author: Amazon User

The game is a story driven adventure game that uses an fps
perspective and rpg elements. It offers you a variety of
objectives you can complete in a number of different ways,
depending on your approach and which abilities you choose to
utilize. Your choice of actions affects what happens in the
game world, and the path the story takes.

The story, like the first, is philosophically speculative
science fiction centering on political intrigue, adventure and
self-discovery.

The basic game concept is first-person stealth action set up by
character dialogue and interaction. You complete objectives and talk to people to learn a little bit more of the story and move it along.

The action is decent. You're put in situations where you have
to infiltrate places in order to talk to people or obtain
something, and this usually involves sneaking around, getting
past guards, robots, and electronic security. The tools they
give you to do this, weapons, electronics, and personal
biomodifications, are pretty cool.

In the way of guns, you can equip the neurotoxin dart gun, the
pistol, the shotgun, the sniper rifle, and the mag rail, to name a few. Each gun can have up to two weapon mods, which include enhancements such as glass destabilizer, silencer, emp
converter, range enhancement, etc. Personally, I like being
able to knock out an enemy from afar with two shots from the
dart gun in zoom mode.

The graphics are ok. However, while static screens look good,
during actual gameplay the framerate is slower than optimal and
occasionally drags. But it doesn't detract that much from the
experience, in my opinion.

Overall, this a decent game with an interesting story.

A waste of great potential

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 4 / 7
Date: January 10, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Let me first state that I am a huge Deus Ex (original) fan. That seems to be the trend for those writing poor reviews on this complete waste of silicon. I am thanking my lucky stars that I decided to rent before buying. Anyway, lets break this down in to a few pro's and cons.

PROS-
1) Deus Ex universe. The storyline is at least somewhat interesting. It has the same twists and inability to trust anyone like the original.
2) Interface is acceptable. I thought that when you got the hang of it, this was pretty well done.
3) Mods are interesting. I like the fact that we had "black market" mods. However, please see that this is in the CONS section as well.

CONS-
1) Glitches, flaws, and other crashes. This game seems to have been rushed out the door with a mere passing over with the hands. At least serious game makers, like those of Halo 2, have the determination and dedication to push back a release date to ensure that they have the best possible game. This thing has horrible loads times, horrid frame rate, and actually stalled on the console. I have never seen a game do that in the history of consoles!! That just doesn't happen!! If you want the PC version, be prepared for far worse. The game will cost you the price of a new system.
2) AI with the IQ of a turnip!!! In the last game, if you stabbed a group in the back...that's it, you are never going to work for them again. In this, you stab all you like, they'll take more. Also, in the original, you shoot someone, the other enemies scatter and start firing. Here, they are a little slow on the uptake to say the least.
3) Good drama involves invested characters. In the original, you were invested in the story and characters. Here, you don't care at all. Therefore, the story just plugs along like a train with nobody at the brakes, and no passenger truly caring where they are going.
4) Mods are merely acceptable. "Black Market" mods are cool, but you know which ones people are going to pick. In addition, in the original, mods were a prized commodity, especially since you had to find mods specifically engineered for a body part. Here, they throw mods at you like Mardi Gras beads, and you can use them for anything! Where did the challenge go?
5) Lastly, it ain't the first one. The first Deus Ex outshines this one like a candle in the summer sun. This was a Deus Ex game in name only. At least in the first one, I cared.

To sum up, save yourself $30 to $45 and rent this game. It is good entertainment for those with no real life to speak of, or when you are seeking a way to escape the in-laws/family when on vacation and you have nothing else important to do. Besides, you will finish the game in the rental period anyway, and you have gotten out of your system and have the money to have a good night out with friends, or to buy a real game.

First Person RPG

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: December 11, 2003
Author: Amazon User

If you are reading these, trying to learn if the game is good and if you should buy it, then yes.

It gets the title "First Person Shooter" because there is a gun in front of the screen alot of the times. I don't understand why it did'nt get labeled an RPG. You can upgrade your guy, buy things, make choices that effect the out come, and more. You can join groups and take up job for more cash. Learn how to hack, sneek by bots and camras, and more. Once you learn, you can hack money of ATM machines.

Also you can interact alot. Buy sodas and candy bars. You can pick up stuff and throw it. Even dead bodies. It can be a weird kind of fun. So if you think you just carry around a gun the whole time, your wrong. It has ALOT more to do then that.

This game reminds me of a "Shadowrun, Fallout, Morrowind". It has the best of all of them. An RPG that take place in the future. I was wanting a game like this for a while. I HIGHLY recomend it.

Deus Ex: Invisible War

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: June 22, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I don't have much to say about this game except that if you like first person shooters and RPGs, then this is the best game you will ever play. 'Nuff said.

PS. The graphics rock.

Not good enough for some, but plenty good all the same

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 5
Date: December 06, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I must confess that I never played the original Deus Ex. I have played a lot of RPG's, on XBOX, Genesis, etc. and I am very happy with my purchase. At times it is frustrating. I often find myself cursing at the screen when it takes three point blank shoots to the face to kill someone. Then I discovered the sniper rifle, which calmed me down a bit. So, yes, there is no locational damage (except with the sniper rifle, apparently). As a strictly first person shooter, this game would be totally mediocre. But it's not a FPS. Its an odd hybrid of a FPS and an RPG. Most of the people complaining are complaining that it is not perfect as either. I'll freely admit that. What makes it a great game is that it has enough RPG elements, combined with a GREAT storyline and terrific atmospherics to be a very immersive game. If you want it to be just like Deus Ex 1, and don't care if it's good otherwie, it sounds like you won't like it. If you like Morrowind and KOTOR and are looking for the next great XBOX RPG, I think you will. As a side note, anyone who played Shadowrun for the Genesis will love this game.

The sequel that is not a sequel

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 8 / 24
Date: December 03, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Okay, If you played Deus Ex and are about to buy Deus Ex 2, hold on at least till you read this. This game completely scraps the RPG elements and great things it had going for it from the first. They dumbed the game down, changing the inventory, having unified ammo--Yes, that means that the pistol uses the same ammo as the flamethrower. Other than the storyline, there is no similarities from the original. Not only is the point system gone, locational damage gone, there is pathetic AI, blocky, tiny levels, cartoonish characters and various other bad graphical effects. This game fails in comparison from the first, so if you are looking for more of the good ole same style game play from Deus Ex, play through Deus Ex again. Or you could wait a week until this game end up in the bargin bin. A complete disapointment and failure in game design. Keep your hands off or play the free demo if you dont take my word.

Not DX1. Not perfect. Still engrossing and entertaining.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: January 20, 2004
Author: Amazon User

A great number of the negative reviews of this game seem to come from fanboys of the original who for some reason or another expected an exact clone of DX1, despite numerous press releases and preview articles that spelled out exactly what kind of changes we'd see in DX2. Those who went so far as to say it was the "worst game ever" should probably learn a bit about the over-use of hyperbole. This is a high quality offering, at least for Xbox (PC gamers, I can understand your pain).

Though DX2 did away with the beloved skills component and relied on over-simplified mods, you're still treated to an intelligent, thoughtful story; an immersive, living (albeit small) world; and character development and advancement based totally on freedom of choice.

Yes, there were a few design flaws -- the framerate was a bit choppy, there's no question. In one instance I was able to climb out over the top of one of the maps and see all the clipped surfaces outside, and at least once got trapped on a ladder due to poor level design. In some areas the AI was sloppy and inconsistent. None of these lessened the impact of the story, however.

The levels may not be huge but they still provide plenty to explore; I spent hours just examining every corner of every room to find hidden rewards. The lighting and sound effects served to make the world an even more interesting environment.

I count myself among those who loved DX1 and approached the sequel with some hesitation. In the end, after getting obsessively hooked on the game, I loved DX2 every bit as much.

Fun game, nowhere near the original

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: September 06, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Everything in this game they just kind of dumbed down. They kept the interaction with other people intact but in the original deus ex you had so many more people to talk to. Plus there is not as much of an emphasis in looking around under tables, insidofe alleys or anything like that to find extra really cool stuff. All the stuff you find you are told where it is and it is just boring. In the the first Deus Ex, I played it 10 times! I stll found somethign new the last time I played it. I will played the Invible War twice but then I am done with it.

With all that being said it was still fun. The graphics are much better and it seems like the shooting is a lot better. A flawed game no doubt, but still very fun and one of the most non linear games you will ever play.

A Month or So After the Hype I picked this Up

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: April 27, 2004
Author: Amazon User

With all of the great games that have come out for Xbox this much vaunted classic PC title
is only average when comparing to games like KOTOR, Prince of Persia, or Splinter Cell.
The only thing that kept this one from achieving greatness was the lack of a slick
interace and compelling storyline.

Whatever people will say about the controls. The fact is they are unnecessarily clunky.
Well thought out but clunky. To be able to select a gun and turn on a mod on a drop of a
dime to fight a group of enemies is entirely awkward. And the juice to work a mod runs out
fast and juggling to turn it off and on so as to be efficient is a worthless gesture.
Most likely you'll just run your energy cell out while fighting baddies. Having a mod wear
out would be a huge advancement over having to miserly manage the cell.

The KOTOR style of characters speaking out dialogue is nice and the strongest advancement
over the first. It's a game of side tasks and you never gain a sense of what you are
doing is really very important. Give me more money and more mods is basically all you
want. The premise is the same as the first and doesn't really radically unfold like the
first instead it rehashes the former so you keep saying "oh, I remember them", oh the
nostalgia".

Perhaps the mistake I made was playing Splinter Cell 2 just before picking up this title.
I pondered over buying this the day it came out and am relieved I did not and instead
rented it. The first DE was so innovative and perfect for PC style play when it came out
but this current release isn't really doing anything beyond that and four years later this
one isn't much different technically.

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