Deus Ex: The Conspiracy Review

By Martin Taylor Published 22 June, 2002

Review - console ports of PC games are not all good, and this isn't all good, but it's close

Version tested: PlayStation 2

Design Is Law

'Deus Ex: The Conspiracy' Screenshot dx1

Hrm... overkill perhaps?

Deus Ex is one of the finest games to ever grace the PC. A triumph of the Ion Storm "Design Is Law" philosophy (and perhaps the only one to date), the gritty urban tale of conspiratorial government schemes and shady corporate nastiness won the hearts of gamers aching for something different to quench their thirst for originality in the first person genre. Some two years after Warren Spector's masterpiece first hit the shelves, it's now the turn of PS2 gamers to get a taste of the action.

The player assumes the role of JC Denton, a genetically engineered counter-terrorist operative working for the global policing organisation, UNATCO. Denton's uncompromising strength, stealth and combat capabilities are a result of his nano-augmentation. These nano-augs are carried out by miniscule machines inside the subject, which manipulate key functions of the body to enhance vision, combat strength, speed and a good number of other skills. Furthermore, Denton can easily upgrade his talents through the installation of aug canisters found throughout the game world, which each give him a choice of two skills.

The clever part is that your game will take on a completely different feel depending on which skills you choose. Concentrating on strength and ballistic resistance augmentations will virtually turn Denton into a walking tank. Conversely, upgrading his ability to run silently and increasing his speed will enable you to conduct swift stealth operations without even having to pull out a riot prod for defence. Couple this with the opportunity to gradually upgrade Denton's core skills like computer hacking, swimming, weapons handling, visual enhancement and the like, and you have the opportunity to mould the game into your own kind of adventure.

Twitchy

'Deus Ex: The Conspiracy' Screenshot dx2

Why Women Are Evil, fig. 63

We were perhaps naively confident that Deus Ex wouldn't fall foul of the regimentally sloppy PC-to-console porting process, and that the game would remain as playable, accessible and involving as its older brother. However, the conversion is a rather mixed effort; in some places we're happy to say that the port has been a resounding success, and in other areas we struggle to wonder what on earth Ion Storm were thinking (as we so often do).

It seemed wise to first probe the game's training level in order to get to grips with Deus Ex's fairly complex control set, but this is where the first major gripe with the conversion crops up - the Dual Shock 2 controller just doesn't work well with first-person gaming. It's not as if it's simply a case of having to get used to the twitchy analogue aiming, because you never, ever will. Obviously this is more a failing of the hardware, though, and with a USB mouse and keyboard plugged into your PS2 you're laughing.

Heading into the game's first mission reveals a fair amount of other problems though. The first of these is how badly the PS2 handles the very clearly ageing Unreal Tournament engine, with the frame rate dropping into single figures on regular occasions. More often than not though, this is a fixture of the in-game cut scenes and not sections of gameplay, and this is perhaps due to the clear compromises in level design taken by Ion Storm to keep the framerate steady. The sprawling UNATCO constructions now fit the PS2's comparatively tiny memory capacity much better than they did the average PC when the game was originally released...

Boxy

'Deus Ex: The Conspiracy' Screenshot dx3

Must... resist... Robocop... quote

The level designers behind the PS2 port have relied on one tactic to simplify the game's environments, and it basically boils down to chopping them up. The result is that a number of small levels form part of larger missions, connected by small tunnels and loading screens, but this doesn't always work. For example, the complete re-organisation of the Hell's Kitchen section is baffling, and a sense of direction will do you no favours here as we found ourselves stumbling around the map trying to find mission-critical locations. Unfortunately, loads occur far more often than we would have liked too, and this spoils the flow of the game in places throughout.

Other than moans and groans about the level design, there are a handful of problems. The characters themselves have been graced with much improved skin jobs, but the overall quality of texturing and the lack of architectural detail in the game is shocking by today's standards to be perfectly frank. Patchwork cement smeared across enormous slabs at the foot of huge rectangular building block constructions just doesn't cut it any more, certainly not as far as conveying a vision of tortured urban hell is concerned.

Building interiors are an improvement though, construction wise, and the multiple approach routes and attention to detail here is admirable. You can either head straight through the main entrance and get ready for a confrontation with security, or you can have a good poke around looking for a far more silent and deadly approach - through a skylight perhaps? How about this elevator shaft? That ventilation duct looks handy... you get the idea.

Defiant And Triumphant

'Deus Ex: The Conspiracy' Screenshot dx4

For the last time, no your bum does NOT look big in that

But where the game falters on the visual side of things, it redeems itself tremendously in others. The new PS2-exclusive rendered cutscenes are a great deal more cinematic than the PC's wooden game engine efforts, and the sound design is utterly fantastic. Much of the soundtrack has been re-recorded with a full orchestra, and this adds to the theatrical air. Elsewhere, sound effects and voice acting are of fantastic quality, with the latter only slipping into mediocrity on rare occasions, and if you've got the hardware, proper 5.1 surround sound will enhance the experience.

What made Deus Ex such a fantastic game on the PC is still here in force, even if it does look and feel terribly haggard. The satisfying rush of diving in and out of cover to avoid the gaze of security cameras, slipping through a door without a sound to hack a security terminal, followed by the turning and aiming of the sentry turrets against unsuspecting guards is still there to savour. As is the beautifully conceived storyline and the ongoing character development - there's a narrative permeating throughout Deus Ex that most contenders couldn't hope to better.

A console conversion of a two-year-old game that looked a bit shaky when it first came out was never going to be spectacular, and Ion Storm have probably tailored the game to the format as far as they possibly could. The interface changes are splendidly thought out, offering items via a modified inventory menu seems to have worked, squeezing the myriad of functions onto the Dual Shock 2 was an impressive achievement, and the visuals have been augmented to good effect, although perhaps with less success than JC's own augmentation. Deus Ex is still an amazing, immersive and downright life-stealing game no matter what platform it's on, and Ion Storm can only be congratulated for that.

8 / 10

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About Martin Taylor

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Comments (36) Latest comment 6 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • mouse Verified Graphic designer, Eurogamer Network #1 10 years ago

    What?

  • bystander #2 10 years ago

    Mouse in good game review shock?

    "A triumph of the Ion Storm “Design Is Law” philosophy (and perhaps the only one to date),"

    What about Anachronox?

  • mouse Verified Graphic designer, Eurogamer Network #3 10 years ago

    I've personally never played Anachronox, but from what I could tell it was merely "okay", not really reaching the heights of slick design demonstrated by Deus Ex. But you know, this is someone who hasn't played it talking, so feel free to disagree :)

  • caligari #4 10 years ago

    I just don't understand all of this constant whinging about the joypad configuration on console first person shooters!
    The retail assistant in Chipsworld was pretty much trying his hardest to talk me out of purchasising PS2 Deus Ex because of the "bastard controls".
    Sheesh, give it half an hour max and you'll have it...as it was with DC Quake 3 and PS2 Medal of Honour.
    I'm sure it's just that "hardcore" PC FPS gamers have had too much of a good thing with the joypad-mouse set-up and just can't adjust.

  • mouse Verified Graphic designer, Eurogamer Network #5 10 years ago

    The DC analogue stick is far more suited to FPS gaming because it has far less give which enables more precise control, in my opinion. I've always considered Sony's sticks to be utterly whimsical, and I suppose it boils down to personal opinion.

  • Natas #6 10 years ago

    There are two Ion Storms. One, the one which released Daikatana and Anachronox, is now gone. Ion Storm Austin, the one which released Deus Ex, is working on Deus Ex 2 and Thief 3 at the moment. Oddly enough, the guy with the Design is Law philosophy was the one in the Ion Storm that failed.

  • mouse Verified Graphic designer, Eurogamer Network #7 10 years ago

    I know, but let's not split hairs, eh?

  • skalmanxl #8 10 years ago

    Anyone care to elaborate?

    Basicly, the technology they are using (graphics engine and such) mustn't get in the way of producing a game where the player can get immersed in the game on a higher level. Basicly.

  • Tyronne #9 10 years ago

    Sounds like a commen sense approach to game design ....

  • #10 10 years ago

    PS2's controller is absolutely horrible for first person shooters. N64 and Xbox's controller both are excellent pads for FPS.

    This game has actually sold very well here in the U.S. for PS2. Deus Ex 2 was going to only be on PC/Xbox only just a few weeks prior to E3, but once sales numbers for Deus Ex came in and were suprisingly high, a PS2 port for DE2 was announced-- although i've seen an Eidos employee quote "It's like trying to put a Genesis game on the Game Boy."

    Luckily, i've got both PS2 and Xbox so it won't be much of a problem.

    P.S. DOA3 Extreme Volleyball + Topless mode = instant killer app. Don't underestimate the potential sales for that game.

  • Daryoon #11 10 years ago

    Am I the only one who thinks this is the sort of game the Metal Gear Solid series should have been like?

  • #12 10 years ago

    I hope you are.

  • #13 10 years ago

    "P.S. DOA3 Extreme Volleyball + Topless mode = instant killer app. Don't underestimate the potential sales for that game."

    uh.. yeah, that HAVE TO sell well. It's after all the only thing they haven't tried yet to attract customers.

    What's the point in making a good game when you don't have to, eh?

  • Gestalt #14 10 years ago

    Thanks Fezz, get back in your box now.

  • caligari #15 10 years ago

    "Might as well just go for the mouse and keyboard option."

    Or just buy a damn PC.

  • otto #16 10 years ago

    Mouse in good game review shock?

    I think this line is long overdue a comfortable chair by the fire and a shawl on its knees at the retirement home for EG in-jokes. He seems to get more good stuff than bad these days.

  • Tyronne #17 10 years ago

    i`m actually replaying deux ex on the pc again and i`d forgotten how good it was.....and it still beats many titles out at the moment.....

  • Blerk #18 10 years ago

    I just don't understand all of this constant whinging about the joypad configuration on console first person shooters!

    Despite Mouse's other comments, his opinions on the controls of this have made me decide not to buy it. Looked interesting, but I hate dual-shock first person games. Juddery, flakey, three-and-a-half-hours-to-line-up-your-shot controls just spoil the whole experience. They could at least have the common decency to include a full 'auto-aim' system for people who aren't anally retentive about shooting the baddies precisely in the eyeball and just want to enjoy the game.

  • Tyronne #19 10 years ago

    System shock 2 is a game well worth hunting down....played it through at least 3 times now....

  • UncleLou #20 10 years ago

    System Shock 2 is a killer of a game. And: it is (at least for me) the most frightening, terrifying game in existence (and this includes Silent Hill2). If you want to experience pure horror, created not through cheap effects ŕ la Resident Evil, but through atmosphere, this is the game for you.
    Edited by 1 at 24/06/02 @ 12:16

  • DaM #21 10 years ago

    Anyone know if System Shock 2 is still coming to the PS2 or have I dreamt it?

  • mouse Verified Graphic designer, Eurogamer Network #22 10 years ago

    They could at least have the common decency to include a full 'auto-aim' system

    Well there is a kind of auto-aim, but it works weirdly because your have to wait about for your aim to sort itself out in the game anyway, despite the crosshairs locking onto a target.

    I'm not sure the jittery analogue is enough to stop you from buying the game though, that's going a bit far. Also, if you've got a USB keyboard and mouse and you don't have the PC version, there's really no reason not to get it.

  • Blerk #23 10 years ago

    I'm not sure the jittery analogue is enough to stop you from buying the game though, that's going a bit far

    I don't think so. If I'm so busy fighting with the controls that I don't have any fun then what's the point? I just wish companies would figure that out and give us more control options. Aiming with a mouse is dead easy - second nature. Aiming with an analogue stick is not. Some of us don't want to aim perfectly, we just want to play the damn game without missing every second shot or spending ten minutes lining it up while taking damage.
    Edited by 1 at 24/06/02 @ 15:39

  • mouse Verified Graphic designer, Eurogamer Network #24 10 years ago

    Indeed, but that's an issue with Sony's hardware rather than the developers isn't it? Look at the aiming system in GoldenEye and Perfect Dark on the N64, and Quake 3 on the Dreamcast for example - they all worked great thanks to both good game and hardware design decisions. And as I've said, you DO have the option of using a mouse...

  • Blerk #25 10 years ago

    but that's an issue with Sony's hardware rather than the developers isn't it?

    Yes, but also no. The developers are well aware of the limitations of the joypad - just saying that it's Sony's problem for not designing a better pad is no excuse. They should recognise the problems and work around them. The other games you mention prove that it can be done well.

    As for the USB mouse and keyboard - that's all well and good for the three people who own them, but what about everyone else? :-)

  • mouse Verified Graphic designer, Eurogamer Network #26 10 years ago

    Surely the same goes for the hardware. If there were joypads tailored for FPS gaming, would you not buy one?

    I don't see how Deus Ex could have been tweaked any more to suit the PS2's hardware, the developers aren't at fault here. All the games I mention manage to do it well because the hardware allows it.

  • Blerk #27 10 years ago

    the developers aren't at fault here

    I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this one, mouse. I'll readily agree that the pad is flawed, but I disagree that there isn't more that the developers could do if only they took the time.

    Tell you what - I'll rent it and see what I think. Fair? :-)

  • mouse Verified Graphic designer, Eurogamer Network #28 10 years ago

    Fair! I'd hate you to miss out on a pretty fantastic game for reasons that you may or may not get past. By the way, make sure you get a good way into the game before you make a judgement on it, because some people find that it starts a bit slow, but as the story kicks in it really grips them. See how you like it anyway :)

  • caligari #29 10 years ago

    “a yank bastard game”

    Hmmm, me thinks that Mr Paris may well be a bastard silhouette terrorist…

  • Natas #30 10 years ago

    System Shock is probably gone forever... sadly... I loved the series so. And it had one of the coolest villians ever, I love SHODAN! But with the death of Looking Glass, and the poor sells of System shock 1 and 2 (despite them being really great games) I don't think there will be a console version. Unless it's already been announced and I haven't heard of it; If that's the case I'll just look like an ass...

  • skalmanxl #31 10 years ago

    Blerk, you'll love this one. Get it.

  • Blerk #32 10 years ago

    Blerk, you'll love this one. Get it.

    Nnnnngh.... Controls... joypads... FPS... moan, whine, etc. :-)

    Like I said to mouse - I'll rent it to check out the controls first. I had been really looking forward to it, but sorta chickened out at last minute until I was talked out of it yesterday. :-)

  • skalmanxl #33 10 years ago

    Or get it on PC for a tenner (of your currency).

  • Blerk #34 10 years ago

    Would it run on my knackered old PC, though? Bear in mind it's a 433Mhz Celeron with only 64megs of memory, very little free hard disk space and an 'unidentifiable and probably crap' 3D card.

  • skalmanxl #35 10 years ago

    It will run Blerk, not good, but it will run.

  • mouse Verified Graphic designer, Eurogamer Network #36 10 years ago

    GF3? Steady on. Runs fine on my vanilla GeForce 256 DDR.

  • caligari #37 10 years ago

    Just a message to the forum-poster Donnie Darko that has absolutely nothing to do with this topic.
    It's good to know that there is actually someone else in the UK that has actually seen that film. It was so god damn mind blowing, and Frank the demonic-esque giant rabbit gave me my first real nightmares for years...

  • skalmanxl #38 10 years ago

    I've heard some good stuff about that movie, haven't come to Sweden yet, so no luck yet.

  • Bassassin #39 6 years ago

    Late to the party - as usual. This has been on my shelf for 2 years and I FINALLY got 'round to playing it.

    Stunning. After playing it obsessively for a fortnight I'm at Area 51 & I guess there's not much left...

    Wonderful game - reminds me there used to be a time when games weren't designed by focus group, aimed at anecephalics and over in 10 hours.