Gameplay

Maps

The maps are very small in terms of area, but packed full of content. It’s almost like playing a BioWare RPG, there are so many sidequests to do, you forget you’re on a map the size of a Quake multiplayer level until you realize how much time has passed. There is a ton of exploration to do, optional and otherwise. There are secret areas, people to talk to who will give you hints and jobs, not to mention all sorts of filler material that fleshes the game atmosphere out.

The news network in the game presents various stories, but it’s also easy to tell its pro-WTO slant. A pop superstar in the vein of Britney Spears is also present, her name is NG Resonance. There are various holographic AI facsimiles of her in many of the locations, with which you can interact.

When you finally get down to the action, it’s a pleasant surprise. The combat won’t wow anyone, but the planning that goes into setting up an encounter will. Since you’re intent on conserving as much of your health, ammo and bioenergy as possible, you’ll try for the easy kills or no kills at all. Every encounter is like a puzzle, but in a first-person shooter. The only other comparison we can think of is Thief, where you make do with limited resources. It’s not surprising then, to recall that ION is working in Thief III.

What do you think of Deus Ex: Invisible War? Are you excited? Thrilled? Ecstatic? Or do you share Tom Chick’s view that anything Deus Ex is worthy only of the scrapheap? Sound Off! in the news comments and let us know.