Info about Deus Ex: Invisible War:

Official game description:
Approximately 20 years after the events depicted in Deus Ex, The World is only beginning to recover from a Catastrophic worldwide depression. In the Chaotic period of recovery, several religious and political factions see an opportunity to re-shape a worldwide government to their agendas, understanding that the right moves now could determine the shape of human society for decades — even centuries — to come. In this techno-nightmare, take part in the dark struggle to raise the world from its own ashes.  
*   Dynamic and innovative 1st person-action/adventure brings a level of reality unprecedented in a videogame.  
*   Biotech modifications allow players to see through walls, leap 40 feet into the air, regenerate critical body damage or render yourself radar invisible.  
*   Globe-hop to real world locations such as Seattle, Antarctica, and Cairo.  
*   Cunning stealth gameplay, with darkness and sound affecting enemy awareness.  
*   Variable gameplay offers multiple solutions to problems and support for varying stylistic approaches.  
*   Non-lethal, non-violent resolution to conflict, allowing players to make ethical statements through their actions.  
*   The player's progress through the game is supported by an unprecedented freedom of action by a dynamic, non-linear story with responsive plot branches.

Release date: 2007 年 3 月 29 日

Categories: First-Person Perspective, Action-adventure, Stealth Gameplay, Character Customization, Character Progression, Choice-based Narrative, Multiple Endings, Immersive Sim


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Generally Underrated and Enjoyable (weight 0.39): Many players find the game to be surprisingly good, better than its reputation suggests, and an overall enjoyable experience, often highlighted as an underrated title that still holds up well today. It offers a solid gameplay experience with good ideas and atmosphere.
- Meaningful Choices & Replayability (weight 0.32): The game provides a reactive narrative with meaningful choices, multiple factions to align with, and consequences that impact the story. This leads to high replayability with branching paths and several different endings, offering a unique emergent storytelling experience.
- Engaging Story and Characters (weight 0.23): The story is well-written and engaging, often becoming captivating after an initial slow start, with interesting characters, good voice acting, and memorable moments. It delves into complex themes and offers a compelling narrative, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- Improved Combat and Graphics (weight 0.22): Combat is generally considered improved and more polished than its predecessor, with smoother controls and better gunplay. The graphics, lighting, and shadow effects were advanced for its time, contributing to a good visual experience that has aged relatively well.
- Strong Deus Ex Universe Integration (weight 0.18): The game successfully maintains the core atmosphere and themes of the Deus Ex series, offering an interesting continuation of the original's story and allowing players to meet familiar characters. It integrates well into the franchise's mythology, appealing to existing fans.
- Strong Cyberpunk Atmosphere (weight 0.09): The game successfully creates a strong cyberpunk atmosphere with its dark cityscapes, futuristic techno music, and neo-noir shadows. It is praised for its atmospheric world, blending sci-fi themes with conspiracy theories.
- Solid Audio and Voice Acting (weight 0.08): The game features satisfactory audio design, including an atmospheric score and decent sound effects. Voice acting is generally well-regarded and improved, contributing positively to the overall experience and character immersion.
- Protagonist Gender Choice (weight 0.06): Players appreciate the ability to choose between a fully voice-acted male or female protagonist, a progressive feature for a game released in 2003. This choice adds replayability and slight variations in dialogue.

Common complaints:
- Massive Downgrade from Predecessor (weight 0.99): Players widely criticize the game as inferior to its predecessor in nearly every aspect, including story, gameplay mechanics, graphics, level design, and overall depth. Many feel it lacks the original's immersive quality and innovative features, becoming a 'pale shadow' or 'watered-down' version.
- Technical Issues & Crashes (weight 0.4): The game is plagued by severe technical problems, including frequent crashes to desktop, especially during loading screens or level transitions. Many players struggle to get the game running stably on modern systems, often requiring unofficial patches or extensive troubleshooting.
- Console Port Simplification (weight 0.33): The game's design and mechanics were heavily simplified and 'consolized' due to early console hardware limitations (specifically Xbox). This resulted in smaller, more linear levels, reduced gameplay depth, and a less immersive experience compared to PC-first titles.
- Small, Linear Level Design (weight 0.23): The level design is consistently criticized for being too small, cramped, and linear, leading to a claustrophobic feeling and reduced freedom of exploration. Frequent loading screens between these tiny zones further break immersion and flow.
- Excessive & Long Loading Screens (weight 0.21): A major complaint is the abundance and length of loading screens, which frequently disrupt gameplay and immersion. These occur constantly between small areas, sometimes relaunching the game executable, making the experience tedious and frustrating.
- Problematic Universal Ammo System (weight 0.19): The decision to implement a universal ammo system for all weapons is widely disliked. Players find it illogical, strategically shallow, and frustrating as running out of ammo for one weapon means being out for all, often leading to difficult combat encounters.
- Unimpactful Side Quests & Factions (weight 0.12): Side quests are often considered boring, with rewards that feel unimpactful due to the absence of an XP system or inventory issues. The faction system is also seen as superficial, lacking meaningful consequences for choices and often resetting reputation or offering quests illogically.

Gameplay feedback:
- Unified Biomod System (weight 0.16): The game introduces a new 'biomod' system, replacing traditional augmentations and skills. These biomods offer various abilities, can be replaced or upgraded using universal canisters, and allow for flexible character customization and different playstyle builds.
- Post-Collapse Setting & Lore (weight 0.13): The game's narrative is set 20 years after the original Deus Ex, after a catastrophic 'Collapse.' It attempts to merge all three endings of the first game into a single canon starting point for its plot, a decision that has garnered mixed reactions.
- Faction-Based Choices & Endings (weight 0.11): The game features multiple factions (e.g., WTO, The Order) that players can side with, influencing missions and relationships. Player choices, including character killings, contribute to one of several distinct endings.
- Player Character: Alex D (weight 0.1): Players control a new protagonist named Alex D, a biomechanically enhanced agent from Tarsus Academy. The game offers the option to choose Alex D's gender and appearance.
- Streamlined Inventory (weight 0.06): The inventory system is simplified, with every item occupying a single slot, regardless of its size. This eliminates grid-based inventory management, though stackable items like energy bars still exist.
- Flexible Mission Approach (weight 0.05): Missions offer multiple avenues for completion, allowing players to choose between stealthy, combat-oriented, lethal, or non-lethal approaches, maintaining a core aspect of the series.
- Neutral Reception & Gameplay (weight 0.04): Overall player sentiment describes the game as 'okay' or a 'mixed bag,' acknowledging some improvements while noting a more casual and less intricate experience compared to its predecessor. Gameplay is considered generally acceptable.
- Action-Oriented RPG Mix (weight 0.02): The game is described as a mix of shooting and role-playing, leaning slightly more towards action, distinguishing it from a pure FPS.

Performance notes:
- Essential Fan-Made Patches Required (weight 0.1): To play the game on modern systems with proper resolution, aspect ratio, and stability, unofficial fan-made patches like the 'Visible Upgrade' are crucial. These mods address core technical issues that the original game doesn't support.
- Original Xbox Technical Limitations (weight 0.04): Many of the game's technical shortcomings, particularly regarding loading times and fragmented levels, stem from its original development for the Xbox with severe memory constraints. This design choice impacts its performance on modern PCs.
- Performance Enhancements (weight 0.02): Some users report using specific tools like a 4GB Large Address Aware patch, d8vk Vulkan wrapper, or FPS locks to improve stability and performance, indicating further community efforts to optimize the game.
- Linux Compatibility (weight 0.01): The game reportedly runs almost flawlessly on Linux with only minor manual adjustments needed for resolution and FOV, suggesting good compatibility on that platform.

Recommendations:
- Mixed Reception, Worth Playing on Sale (weight 0.38): While not universally praised, many players find the game decent and worth experiencing, especially for its story. However, it's frequently suggested to purchase it at a discounted price due to perceived flaws or its age.
- Not a Proper Deus Ex Sequel (weight 0.28): Players often recommend this game primarily to fans of the Deus Ex universe, specifically for story completion. However, it's widely regarded as a significant departure and a disappointing sequel compared to the original Deus Ex, with many suggesting it be treated as a spin-off.
- PC Port Issues, Consider Alternatives (weight 0.05): The PC port of the game is noted for technical issues. Players advise considering alternative platforms like the original Xbox or GOG, or even emulation, to avoid these problems.
- Watch Playthrough for Story (weight 0.03): Some reviewers suggest that those primarily interested in the story or lore could simply watch a playthrough on YouTube or read a wiki summary instead of playing the game, especially if they are unwilling to tolerate its flaws.
- Frequent Saves Recommended (weight 0.03): Due to potential crashes or difficult sections, players advise saving frequently to avoid losing progress.
- Good as an Action Sci-Fi Shooter (weight 0.02): Some players appreciate the game when viewed as an action sci-fi shooter rather than an immersive sim, suggesting it offers a decent experience in that genre.

Other player notes:
- Shorter Gameplay Experience (weight 0.16): The game offers a significantly shorter play-through compared to its predecessor, with estimated completion times ranging from 7 to 25 hours. This simplified and condensed experience is often a point of criticism for fans expecting more content.
- Lore Continuation Interest (weight 0.11): For some players, the primary motivation to play the game is to experience the narrative continuation and see the aftermath of the original Deus Ex's various endings, despite any gameplay shortcomings.
- Outdated & Cheesy Elements (weight 0.08): The game is perceived as dated and, at times, cheesy, reflecting its age (released in 2003). This contributes to its overall less polished impression compared to modern titles.
- Essential Visual Upgrade Mod (weight 0.07): Many players recommend installing the 'Deus Ex 2 Visible Upgrade' mod to fix bugs, enable higher resolutions, widescreen support, and generally improve the game's stability and visual fidelity. This mod is almost considered mandatory for a tolerable experience.
- Steam Playtime Tracking Issues (weight 0.03): A common technical issue reported is that Steam often fails to accurately log playtime, especially when launching the game through modded executables or certain localization patches.
- Review Bombing Suspected (weight 0.01): Some feedback, like comments about 'violent toilets' or extreme negative descriptors ('public diarrhea'), appears to be part of hyperbolic or joke-laden reviews. While noted, this feedback is low-quality and likely part of review bombing.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.25): Players frequently encountered technical issues such as constant crashes, significant compatibility problems with modern Windows versions (especially Windows 11), and persistent bugs that prevented the game from running or corrupted save files. Excessive and frequent loading screens, along with perceived inferior mechanics, poor level design, and clunky controls, also contributed to a highly frustrating gameplay experience.
- Disappointment (weight 0.24): Many players expressed disappointment with the game's overall quality, perceiving it as a significant downgrade and inferior sequel compared to its predecessor, Deus Ex 1. This was often attributed to simplified gameplay mechanics, smaller maps, a convoluted or weak story, and a general lack of depth and immersion, leading to unfulfilled expectations.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.12): Despite widespread criticism, a segment of players found satisfaction in the game's core gameplay loop, interesting story, and atmospheric cyberpunk world. Enjoyment stemmed from freedom of choice, character development, and engaging philosophical themes, especially when viewed independently or after addressing technical issues through community fixes.
- Appreciation (weight 0.06): Players appreciated the game's thematic conclusion to the Deus Ex narrative, its exploration of complex themes like monopoly capitalism, and its ambition despite its flaws. Many considered it an underappreciated immersive sim, valuing its unique emergent storytelling, choice systems, and overall importance to the series' lore.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.05): Players reported enjoyment from specific gameplay elements such as hacking, controlling turrets, and the unique atmosphere. Despite outdated visuals and initial comparisons, the core gameplay, choices, and side missions provided genuine fun, particularly for those who approached it without direct comparison to the original.
- Amusement (weight 0.03): Amusement arose from the game's unintentional flaws, such as hilariously broken ragdoll physics, absurd enemy AI, and the general 'derpiness' of its issues. Players found humor in the universal ammo system, responsive climbing, and the ability to wreak chaos with augmentations, treating the game sometimes as a comedic dystopian experience.
- Acceptance (weight 0.03): Players demonstrated acceptance of the game's flaws and limitations, acknowledging its design choices and relative standing, especially its inferiority to the original. Many recognized it as an action shooter rather than a pure immersive sim and appreciated it despite stripped-back features, finding it 'fine' or 'good' in its own right.
- Anger (weight 0.03): Intense anger was directed at the game's constant crashes, severe instability, and overall lack of functionality, which often rendered it unplayable. Players were also angry at poor design choices, particularly the universal ammo system and the perceived 'dumbing down' of mechanics for console prioritization, viewing it as a betrayal of the franchise's uniqueness.
- Mixed feelings (weight 0.02): Players experienced mixed feelings due to a balance of the game's flaws compared to the original, alongside fun shooter aspects, interesting story elements, and atmospheric qualities. Despite significant technical issues and design compromises, elements like character loyalty and faction missions provided engaging experiences, leading to conflicting opinions.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.02): Nostalgia was a common emotion, driven by players revisiting a game from their past or recalling fond memories of playing it, particularly on the original Xbox. The game also evoked nostalgia for the era and for the original Deus Ex, leading to comparisons and reflections on older titles in the series.
- Excitement (weight 0.01): Excitement was generated by the game's complex and gripping conspiracy plot, its exploration of relevant philosophical themes, and the depiction of factions like the Templars. Players also felt excitement from the possibilities within the adventure, character customization, and an eagerness to explore the broader Deus Ex universe.
- Critical (weight 0.01): Players were critical of the game's misdirected story, boneheaded design ideas, and the shoddy PC port, citing technical and design flaws. A common point of criticism was the perception that the game's focus on Xbox development ruined core elements of the Deus Ex experience.
- Annoyance (weight 0.01): Annoyance stemmed from frequent and long loading screens, repetitive ventilation crawling, pointless side quests, and issues with the game constantly opening and closing multiple windows or interfering with recording software. These minor, yet persistent, issues contributed to a bothersome gameplay experience.
- Neutrality (weight 0.01): Some players expressed neutrality, finding the game to be merely 'okay' or 'mediocre' despite its notable flaws. They acknowledged its status as an old game and, while simplified, did not evoke strong positive or negative feelings, suggesting it was 'not that bad' or 'interesting enough'.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Players expressed surprise at the game's quality, which often exceeded their low expectations based on its poor reputation. Many enjoyed the game more than anticipated, discovering unexpected strengths despite its negative reviews.
- Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom was reported due to the game's perceived length, poor replayability on subsequent playthroughs, and an overall unengaging gameplay experience. Some players found themselves checking out during dialogue, indicating a lack of sustained interest.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arose from design choices like the universal ammo system, unclear objectives, and a complex or contradictory story. A specific bug causing character gender swaps after loading screens also contributed to player confusion.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Joy was experienced through the game's perceived brilliant quality, enjoyment of its futuristic setting, and appreciation for its story and characters. Unexpected humorous moments resulting from game glitches also brought joy to some players.
- Curiosity (weight 0.01): Curiosity drove players to replay the game, try it for the first time despite its reputation, or explore the world post-Deus Ex 1. The interesting concept of the Omars and their hivemind also piqued player curiosity.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration was expressed for the game's visual design for its time, the interesting AI personality, and how well the game's graphics and sound had aged, suggesting a lasting positive impression in these specific areas.}