If I could describe this game in one word, it would be overstated. Not necessarily overrated, because I do think it's earned its praise, but overstated because I think people blow some of the features out of proportion. The RPG elements are really only effective in regards to your shooting, the openness is not quite as limitless as you'd expect, and I don't think this game is as "prophetic" as people say it is. I'm sure you lot all agree, but I get a special thorn in my side whenever I read a comment that says something along the likes of "this is the real world we're living in!!!!" That's not to say it's not incredibly impressive with how much it got right; aside from a certain billionaire's recent escapades with a certain social media site perfectly replicating the main antagonist, the constant paranoia and unease of a post-Patriot Act world is captured excellently to an almost unsettling degree. The miasma of disbelief whenever you talk to a new person as the game continues is a good example of the game's greatest strength: its immersion. Finding a code for a locked door by thoroughly searching a room you merely glazed over before. Talking to people to get information that contradicts what you've heard before, making you want to double-check all the facts you've been given. Listening to some banging ambient techno background music to really get yourself in that cyberpunk mindset. Despite how much Deus Ex uses these tricks, they somehow never get old, and still feel satisfying to be a part of. There's a constant feeling of everything you're doing being your way of doing things that just... really clicks with me. It's hard to explain, it just makes you feel like you're actually doing something in the world.
It has a couple hefty flaws, the biggest one being how awful the AI is. I know it was 2000, but jesus are the enemies ever inconsistent. Barrel at them down a hallway at mach 4 with a rocket launcher in your hands and they'll barely blink, accidentally drop a knife 3 rooms away from them and they'll hone in on your location like they had wallhacks. The combat itself isn't terribly great, with unupgraded weapons being practically impossible to use, though it does make it more satisfying when you finally get the skill points to properly use a gun you want. Not that any of that even matters because combat is effectively disabled about a third through the game with a saddeningly powerful melee weapon that renders pretty much every bullet weapon completely obsolete. In general, this game's strengths very clearly lie in its world, freedom, and immersion rather than its combat, and it really shows in some areas.
Overall, I enjoyed playing this. Some areas were a little too grindy (the final boss battle really leaves a bad taste in your mouth), but nearly all of the levels in this are phenomenally designed, especially near the back half of the game. I don't see myself coming back for a replay any time soon, but I can definitely see it happen in the future when I need a refresher on how immersive games can really be. JC Denton, my beloved.
It has a couple hefty flaws, the biggest one being how awful the AI is. I know it was 2000, but jesus are the enemies ever inconsistent. Barrel at them down a hallway at mach 4 with a rocket launcher in your hands and they'll barely blink, accidentally drop a knife 3 rooms away from them and they'll hone in on your location like they had wallhacks. The combat itself isn't terribly great, with unupgraded weapons being practically impossible to use, though it does make it more satisfying when you finally get the skill points to properly use a gun you want. Not that any of that even matters because combat is effectively disabled about a third through the game with a saddeningly powerful melee weapon that renders pretty much every bullet weapon completely obsolete. In general, this game's strengths very clearly lie in its world, freedom, and immersion rather than its combat, and it really shows in some areas.
Overall, I enjoyed playing this. Some areas were a little too grindy (the final boss battle really leaves a bad taste in your mouth), but nearly all of the levels in this are phenomenally designed, especially near the back half of the game. I don't see myself coming back for a replay any time soon, but I can definitely see it happen in the future when I need a refresher on how immersive games can really be. JC Denton, my beloved.