Deus Excellence

By Tom Fahey

Put the laser sword down, chump...

It's about time. About time, that is, that somebody made a first person shooter with an RPG influence.

Deus Ex is the latest Eidos has to offer, and it ain't half bad. I mean, any game where you run around as a special agent, taking down terrorists, and able to "level up" along the way must be pretty good!

Well I can tell you that with the versatile style of Deus Ex, gamers won't be bored this month.

As the trench coat waring, sunglass sporting rookie agent for the United Nations Anti-Terrorist Coalition (UNATCO), J. C. Denton, you complete missions throughout a futuristic America, which is plagued with disease and poverty.

However, there are some who live well in this age - your superiors. Enter the mysterious plot: They are making fortunes from the plague, as it is they who hold the vaccines.

One of the best features about this game is the fact that you could finish it three of four times, each in a slightly different way, gaining different sides to the story through methods of hacking into computer databases, reading news papers, and interacting with other characters.

In fact, this also depends on which path you take on the "levelling-up" road. For example, if you put all your skills into rifles, then sure you can nail a terrorist from half a kilometre away as a sniper, but you'll be a meat head when it comes to computer hacking.

So, put some skills in the technical side of things every now-and-then, and attain some of the juicy information that's being hidden for good reasons.

He was all hot and bothered...

Along with the computer skills and rifle skills, there are many other areas where your expertise can spread. You can level up your pistol skills, medical skills, lock picking, melee weapons, and even swimming skills.

By becoming more proficient in the area of weapons, for instance, your accuracy, rate of fire, and reload time will all increase (reload decreases).

Furthermore, you can become so good at lock picking, that you can open security doors with a slice of toast.

Not to mention that you can become so talented in the medical field that it's possible to perform a triple by-pass with a straw, superglue, and a toothbrush!

Denton is issued with many different side arms throughout Deus Ex. Amongst them is the customary pistol, which comes with some cool things like silencers, scopes, and other various enhancements.

Assault rifles and sniper rifles are both included - I mean, it wouldn't be a FPS without them. There's the GEP Gun, (a.k.a rocket launcher) - a party favourite and then you have your combat knives, throwing knives, crow bars, riot prods, pepper sprays, etc... And if that doesn't deal enough hurt to those nasty terrorists, equip your kitchen sink and beat them to death with it!

One of the good points about Deus Ex, believe it or not, is that you ammunition supplies are very limited. I mean, who's the last guy you met that can carry thousands of rounds of munitions around their shoulder, whose name is not Rambo?

My point is that you don't run around each level in typical Doom style and kill everything that moves, but you pace yourself, and take the strategic approach. It would be a much wiser step to find your way around a pack of five or six guards, rather than taking them on with little more than your knife, sunnies, and trench coat. However, if you have a blood lust, get out at least an assault rifle, and a couple of grenades, then light up the party.

And remember your last resort. Sure, this doesn't earn you any brownie points from UNATCO, nor do you gain any new friends, but killing or knocking out your fellow soldiers and policemen grants you ammunition, and other assorted augmentations (Ed - last time I play CS with you...).

Meet my new friend - his name is Assault Rifle

There are many approaches to every situation, whether it's combat, or infiltration.

Through methods of hacking into a computer system, unlocking doors, then logging off before the connection is discovered, to detonating locked doors (blowing the hell out of them with LAM Mines -- the fun way), you can navigate your way through the game world without too much trouble.

Ion Storm has taken the time to incorporate many little things which easily go unnoticed, whilst still enhancing the games presentation.

The odd burning trash can, along with garbage bags, rubbish bins, boxes and creates here and there, and the occasional parked car, add to the effect of a city plagued by poverty.

The music also tends to increase its tempo and volume when you find yourself in dangerous situations, like getting shot at.

All points considered, Deus Ex is a very well made first person shooter, with a delicate touch of RPG. If only there were more games like this one...

Plus, the game's non-linear approach allows for a varying story every time you play it. You won't get bored of this one any time soon, and it comes highly recommended.

Game: Deus Ex
System: Playstation 2
Players: 1
Memory Card: Yes
Developer: Eidos
Distributor: Gamenation

Rating: 90%

(Ratings Key/Explantion)

Deus Ex is on the shelves now.

Deus Ex website