@Xerxes 8933A: I heard a lot of bad stuff about IW when it was released, but (after finally playing it a couple of months ago) I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. Everything about it is less grand than the original and it's certainly not in the same league, but it is cut from the same cloth. Any fan of the first game should give it a try.

NighTrekr

For all of next week that means that at any given time someone somewhere is installing Deus Ex...FOR FREE.

thefremen

@Evangel: Maybe I should say FPS have evolved, then. I'm not saying it's a bad game, I just don't like being directionless. I prefer something between waypoint markers and "good luck finding the objective!"

@NighTrekr: It's not the gunplay, it's the mission structure. Sure, there were at least three ways to accomplish many of the tasks, but I couldn't shake the feeling they'd just handed me a gun, some first aid, and shoved me into a maze. Always seemed to take way too long to get anywhere.

I played the game long ago, not long after it had made GOTY, and I remember enjoying it. I also remember getting shot and blown up a lot. Maybe I'll give it another chance on PC.

Does Not Equal

Probably the best PC game I have played, it was many years ahead of its time, story driven games of today are still lacking in many ways when compared to Deus Ex.

Hansel

Deus Ex is easily one of the best games out there,the story is perfect the setting is perfect the action is perfect,i must have played that game over 5 times since it came out and you never get bored.

vig0r

@Evangel: You got Arcanum to run? Back in the day, it wasn't the most stable game out there (most Black Isle games weren't to be honest). But unlike Fallout 2, I never got it to run on my machine and after a few days/weeks I just stopped trying. Maybe I should try again...

FranUnFine

This is great for the people who lost their disk. I still have both of mine, Original and GOTY. Both still in their original boxes, damn those things are hard to move without bending the corners in.
Deus Ex and SS2, even after all these years they tie for my pick of Best.Game.Ever. Both are the very first things I install on a new computer, and neither ever leave it after that. Shame about DX:IW and BioShock though :(

Xerxes 8933A

one of the first pc games i ever bought, and one of my absolute favorite games of all time. very few games before or since match it in story, gameplay and immersion.

system shock 2 comes dangerously close...

decodergrizzly

My favourite PC game EVER. Anyone who is yet to experience it should get this the second it becomes available. Such an under-appreciated game..

Now let's sit around and dream of what a next-generation remake with co-op would be like..

Passa

@Does Not Equal: Nitpick the gunplay all you like (people complained about it back then too), but games definitely have not moved past Deus Ex in terms of storytelling. Deus Ex does emergent narrative right.

@GusherKid: Yeah, I just sold one of my friends on it a few weeks ago. Now I feel like a jerk.

NighTrekr

@Does Not Equal: I'd have to say games have devolved since then, then again, everything is better in hindsight. That said, nothing's come close to Fallout 1, 2 or Arcanum. I've recently gone back to play all 3 of them and they're better than I imagined since I've now got the patience to play through them all the way (Never finished Fallout 2 until a couple weeks ago). Black Isle Studios knew how to make truly great games.

Evangel

I recently tried to play Deus Ex again. I have it for PC, but I gave the PS2 version a shot (which wasn't too dissimilar).

Honestly, it was great when it was released, but since then, games have evolved considerably. I had a hard time knowing where the hell I was supposed to go. I dunno, maybe I'll reinstall it for PC someday. I've got the GOTY.

Does Not Equal

excellent =D one of my all-time favourite games, highly recommended.

unpur3

Funny how I pay for Gametap (totally worth it) and I just got a copy of the PS2 version from Goozex a couple weeks ago. Double payment for what others get for free!

GusherKid

Anyone who has been waiting NEEDS to take advantage of this. Deus Ex is, no exaggeration, one of the greatest games of all time. The sequel isn't bad either.

NighTrekr

this game was so excellent. definitely worth a look for anyone who hasn't played it.

mcscan

Well, it looks like I can finally play Deus Ex.

Never could find it on PC.

edb87

@vig0r: It's good that you can make assumptions about me based on two entries in a comments section. Only if you'd actually read what I said, you wouldn't have responded that way.

Does Not Equal

Is it really that much of a mortal sin that I never really got into this game?

Thorax

@Does Not Equal: Then you've missed the point of deus ex entirely,the whole idea was you're free to do it in whichever way you,want.Today concept of go to the big light isn't evolved,but has been put there so the casual gamer doesnt have to think too hard.

vig0r

This is the best game I ever played and only Thief series matches up to it. Must play by anyone who calls themselves a gamer.

Unstop

I hope this drums up support for Deus Ex 3. I'm excited, and very skeptical at the same time, to see what they do with the new sequel.

CFStang

@Xerxes 8933A: i know. DX:IW and Bioshock are two great reasons why i'm ALWAYS skeptical about so-called 'sequels' to classics, they almost never live up to the original. Bioshock was a fun game in it's own right, it just doesn't come close to SS2.

Hoping and praying they do Fallout 3 right...

decodergrizzly

YES! One of the greatest games I have ever played on the PC.

Must Get!

g8or8de

@Thorax: Yes , yes it is. The BEST game I have ever been privileged to play. Shadowrun on SNES comes in a close 2nd. If your a fan of William Gibson you will LOVE this game.

Nexus6

Awesome, I was just thinking a few days ago that I would like to play through this again over the summer.
@edb87: You can download it on Steam if you want to buy it.

Wubbytoes

Best game ever, periude.

HelderP

So, it will be free on Gametap next week?

Awesome, I was thinking of trying it out when I saw it on Steam, but now (/next week) I can get it for free on Gametap. Yay! =D

Doshi

Woop. My point was that Gametap's offer of free DX1 had better include some patching to make getting-to-the-gameplay painless, because as far as I can tell, Steam does not provide that service.

wonderfoo

The moment DX became available on Steam, I purchased it. The moment SS2 became available on Steam, I purchased it. For some reason, I felt compelled to give more money to the companies that produced these games, even though I'd paid for them legitimately before.

Where I was burned though was in my expectation that maybe, y'know, Valve would have taken care of making these games run under XP more easily. Many evenings spent on the forums, many patches and .ini edits later, I'm still unable to play them. *sob*

Has anyone had better luck? I can't get SS2 to run for more than 2 minutes before crashing to desktop and I DX1 can't even get into the game with.

wonderfoo

One of the best games of all time; play it if you haven't already.

Just remember that if you have Vista 64, Gametap will screw you over real nice, because they're too lazy to cater to the real PC gamers.

Tyber_Zann

Awesome, definately one of my favourite games. Still have the GOTY edition at home.

I always felt that it should have been a seminal title that influenced a whole new genre of rpg-esque FPSs, instead it was just this one amazing game and nothing much like it since. There's a lot of potential there, especially if they developed the multiple paths thing a bit more.

Though I remember the press at the time lamenting its poor performance compared to games like The Sims, so maybe it's not surprising really.

creepwood

Simply put:

YOU MUST PLAY THIS GAME.

Deus Ex is one of those games that simply transcend time in terms of gameplay mechanics. Sure the graphics are dated, but just about every thing else about the game is still up to snuff. I own this game, but YOU must get it when its free on gametap. DO IT.

mindf1ow

OMG YES YES YES YES YES!

This is like, the best pc game ever!

NeoStarr

I never was able to beat this game. I'd get to a point where my brain would freeze trying to pick which path to take, and then I'd never get past that. It's not the same part every time and maybe I'd be able to beat it now, but this game forces you to make a lot of choices!

I installed it again recently (and didn't beat it ;-)), and there are some 3rd party graphical updates for it. I don't know if you can install them on a gametap game, but here goes:

Hi Definition texture project: [offtopicproductions.com]
Updated renderer: [cwdohnal.home.mindspring.com]

READ THE FINE MANUAL(S). Don't just plop em in and expect it to work :-P. The settings page for the Updated renderer is important to check out if you expect it to do anything.

@decodergrizzly: System Shock 2 is better in my book. Not that my book matters to anyone but me, but I LOVED that game.

NateN

Great game, but sad to say it hasn't aged well. Still worth a try for those who haven't played it.

Struct09

If there is anyone who has not played DX, play DX now that it's free. Seriously. It's one of the best and most important games ever made and is in every way a masterpiece.

Mister Adequate

Hope they remind us of this next week. I missed out on the game, but free fits nicely within my price range. I just don't want to forget about it.

Tiber

@wonderfoo:

When was SS 2 ever on Steam? At least it's not there now...
[www.steampowered.com]

Dontdrop

I bought it a few months ago on PC for the princely sum of £2, so I don't mind not getting it for free. I never did play past the first level though. The awkward gunplay and badly aged graphics just turned me right off it immediately.

However, after all this praise, I think I'll download NateN's suggestions, and give it another go.

Krondonian

sure you can play it for free but does it support mods like the high def texture package?

tetracycloide

@Krondonian: It's not going to look like a game that came out last year, but it does take off a lot of the rough edges. I'll should grab my GFX config at home and post it, it gives a good baseline. My computer is old and tired, but it's still a start!

Also: I liked the changes the shifter mod makes a lot and I would recommend it to people who don't care about playing the "vanilla" version all the way though the first time.
[yukichigai.googlepages.com]

NateN

Every time you say its name someone reinstalls it....

*goes to reinstall*

FLYBOY611

I had this game when it first came out. To this day i judge most FPS games against Deus Ex. It is a real shame DE 3 is probably going to get dumbed down. Not to mention Warren Spector is not involved in the story.

I tried playing this game again recently though and it was like hot knives in my eyes. even with hi def texture package its pretty hard to look at. (big time graphics whore)This still does not take away from the excellent story telling.

dropoff

I got this game for free with a DVD in Computer Gaming Monthly. I tried the first level and thought the game was pretty week. Even after beating the first level, I had little interest in continuing the game. But I came back to the game a few months later and absolutely fell in love with it. Half-life may have better graphics and gameplay, but the story of Deus Ex was way more engrossing. I thought about how I wanted to finish the game really carefully before actually going through it.

francoamerica

@Krondonian:

Let me quote this for you, from GameSpy:

"shaithis: I would like to describe my experience with Deus Ex using a short, two-act play.

Act 1:
Fargo: Dude, you totally should try this Deus Ex game. It's pretty good.
shaithis: Eh... I saw it at E3 and it looked sort of crappy.
Fargo: It's not the best looking game ever but it's fun. Here, look, we have an extra copy. Try it. NOW.
shaithis: Ok, whatever.

shaithis installs Deus Ex and begins playing the first level

shaithis: THIS SUCKS! Why the crap are you making me play this? It's slow, and cumbersome, and confusing. I don't know what I'm doing! I can't figure this out! This is terrible.
Fargo: Just keep playing. Give it a chance.
shaithis: I curse you and your entire family for making me play this.
Fargo: Yeah, yeah. With the cursing and such. You cursed me and my entire family yesterday because the sandwich you bought at the food court had onions on it.
shaithis: Onions are disgusting.

One day passes.

shaithis: Okay, actually this game is pretty good.

Act 2:
shaithis has finished Deus Ex.

Fargo: So what did you think?
shaithis: It's the best PC game that's ever been made. Ever.
Fargo: So is the curse on me and my family removed?
shaithis: Hahahah ..... No. "

[www.gamespy.com]

ZFGokuSSJ1

bought this game 4 times so far. Best game ever, even more for it's time, and it still holds up amazingly well to this day.

If you haven't played it, You are doing it wrong. Get this now

huginn

@ZFGokuSSJ1: Heh, nice little quote there. I never said it sucked, I just have a terrible patience with games. I almost quit Morrowind after 3 hours, but carried on for another hour. After that I was hooked, and it became one of my favourite ever games. I just tend to have at least 3 games on the go at any one time, meaning if I'm not really into it I'll often give up. It's a bad habit...

@NateN: Yeah, I'm at least 3 years behind new releases so the graphics won't burn my eyes or anything, it was just so different from other shooters I couldn't get into it. (I've never seen that slow lock in targeting system anywhere before or after it). I still enjoy Half-Life 1 today, so I think I can overcome any graphical issues.

I sincerely thank you for these links though. I'm a complete mod noob, and it's only really through people like you that I've ever had a taste of the great work modders do. So thanks again, got Shifter downloading now.

Krondonian

Fantastic game, but I still give the edge to SS2 for best FPS of its era.

Silverbackne

@NateN: Actually, I agree with you. System Shock 2 is probably my favorite game ever made, and Deus Ex is a close second.

But I find it amazing that you've never finished it. Finish it!

At the price of FREE, there is not a single reason anyone can offer to not play Deus Ex. So the graphics aren't up to the snuff of Gears of War or Crysis. So the gameplay is a little dated. BOO HOO HOO! Poor damn baby! Suck it up and play one of the greatest games ever made.

Atheist Jew

Just recently purchased this on Steam for pennies. Was worth it, had forgotten how awesome it is. Free=you'd be a fool not to.

TearsandScreams

@railskins: You can run both at once. I think the shifter Readme tells you how, but I remember one of them does.

Changing out the render is a core-level thing and isn't a mod. (So backup your saves before you do it.)

NateN

@Atheist Jew: What gets me to stop playing every time is you get to a point where you have to make a big decision, and I freeze. Can't decide, I'll come back later, and then I never do. I don't know why this game does that to me, since normally I can just pick a path and go with it, but it's stopped me every time. (It's not the same decision every time either, there are plenty of points that can make me go "I can't decide, I'll figure it out later!") I'm not sure how many branches the storyline has, but it's got to be pretty dense.

System Shock 2 fights with Thief 1 for my favorite game ever, but probably wins. (Thief 2 and 3 were both really good too, but Thief 1 will always have a special place in my heart.)

Having the "bad" guys in SS2, who were normal people that are just now unable to control their bodies, yell at you to run away from them because they can't stop themselves from hurting you is still one of the most scary things I've ever experienced in a game. Just the idea of being trapped in your own body, able to see what it is doing but unable to prevent it still sends chills down my spine.

NateN

my only question, which some have addressed, is what mod to use on a players' 2nd or 3rd run through. the hi def texture project seems most desirable but the Shifter mod seems awesome too..

could somebody mash the two together please? they sound like they might compliment one another, shifter seems to fix lots of augmentation and weapon functionality, or expands on them, and hdtp fixes the look for the most part and not a lot of gameplay.. or am I missing something..

guess I'll try both..

railskins

Deus Ex is an amazing game. If you haven't had a chance to play, you should take the opportunity. And if you don't get it on Gametap, then buy it on Steam. Really, it is that good.

That said, it does start slow. Similar to, say, BioShock, your character is customizable and you can approach a situation a number of different ways. However, unlike Bio, you can't do everything from the beginning. Your character starts without much skill, even with simple firearms, and he has no powers except the ability to project light from his eyes. Give it time. The RPG elements in the game--upgrading abilities and choosing new powers--are deep and your character can be and feel like a real badass by the midgame. This is definitely a game that takes some time to learn and gets better as the player learns more.

Also, if you've already played it and never seen the walkthroughs at www.it-he.org, go check them out. They're a whole new reason to play the game all over again!

Shevek

It really is one of the best games ever, and still stands up well against modern games. Heck, it puts Bioshock to shame. Play it now.

Pantsman

I've been on a retro gaming spree recently, picking up old classics that I couldn't afford years ago, or just missed for some reason. It's surprising how much game technology has evolved but those old classics are still awesome. Deus Ex is *the* best game ever created and should not be overlooked, especially now that it's free.

unmarkedone

You might be beyond the gameplay. The story how ever is neat. You go all over the damn world. Its absolute fun for anyone who is antsy for a first person roleplaying game. Its worth a look before fallout 3 comes out. ( yes I know there is also Obliviin but Oblivion has zero guns.

Kounji

After all these years, Deus Ex is still my favorite single player game. I wish someone would do a remake with the Unreal3 Engine... I'd even help with a conversion, as I'm no stranger to game design.

If you can stomach the old graphics, it's definitely worth a go.

Kruel

For people who will be playing it for the first time, it's important to remember that you don't necessarily have to follow the impulse to be cautious and sneaky. I remember when it first came out, most people seemed to naturally choose that path and then complained that things were "slow". But really, the gameplay is flexible enough that you can take the GEP gun ("rocket launcher") and start blasting right off the bat.

Gwog

Heh. I remembered that I had the GOTY edition of this on an old CGW DVD. Not hoping much, I loaded it onto my Vista machine (updated to SP1). Surprisingly, other than a little glitchiness with the sound, it plays just fine (I was prepared to try it out on a VHD install of 98SE I use for experimentation purposes). Oh well, maybe I will try System Shock 2 next ^_^.

relic1980

i couldn't get into this game I really tried but it was just meh to me.

freespeech