Deus Ex: Invisible War Comments by Rob Fahey

Bah. Humbug.

Gah,
I was gonna be first.

Does the mean we have to wait for the Reader Reviews?

Good review, Shinji, although some more negative points could have been mentioned. I really enjoy the game, but it does its best to remind you that you're playing a game all the time. The general NPC behaviour (not to mention the combat AI) is pretty uncovincing, as is the fact that you've got man-sized ventialation shafts near every high security door and that you'll find high-tech tools at the most unconvincing locations.

I don't criticise DE2 for being worse than the first one (which it isn't imo), I criticise that in the 4 or 5 years since then, not much has happened than a graphical update and all the flaws of the original can be found here too.

Still, a fun game, I'd probably give it a 7/10.

Where is the para all about throwing dead bodies about? Surely the highlight of the game.

Far Cry will piss all over this from a very great height.

I pretty much agree with both Shinji and UncleLou. It is a very enjoyable game despite its flaws. For me it is up there with the other big recent releases i.e. Prince of Persia & Beyond Good and Evil. The story makes up for a lot of the problems and that that may make the problems more pronounced on a second run through as you haven't got that to keep pulling you along.

I would probably give it 8/10 but I can see where UncleLou is coming from with the 7/10. Certainly think it doesn't deserve less than a 7/10.

The biggest criticism in my view is the size of the levels and the amount of loading that is required. They are simply too small, though I can appreciate the reasons for this it doesn't make it any less irritating.

Any real differences between the xbox and pc versions?

with abilities such as boosting speed and jumping power gone entirely, for example.
err.... isn't there a leg biomod that does exactly that???

There is a leg mod that does this yes. I assume that Shinji either forgot this or meant that the effect is much less pronounced in this version. I'm not using that biomod so I couldn't tell you how well it works.

TBH I think ur review hit the nail on the head. One thing that did annoy me was all the loading screens when u left a room or area, there were far more than were in the first one and as u mentioned the levels aint even as big.

/sighs

Still undecided. I really enjoyed the exploratory aspect of the first one - small, functional locations are not my idea of fun. Will probably stick to my instincts and replay the first one on a new PC with a stable framerate.

The first one is still the best FPS/rpg ever, imo.

Sorry, yes, that section is badly explained. S'what happens when you write stuff in the wee small hours. There's no biomod to improve your jumping, but you can run slightly faster - possibly the single most useless biomod in the game. My point was that basically every really impressive and noticeable biomod from the first game is gone; the ability to dash around the place like a rat on speed and hop from building to building while doing your best Morpheus impression being two of the best examples.

Any real differences between the xbox and pc versions?
---

As far as I know, the only difference is the machine you play it with. And quite frankly, there's not much of a difference there either. So.. "Nah."

The review is too kind, but I understand why. Although it's as riddled with even more bugs than Deus Ex, it has a certain appeal. Although I only enjoyed the first half of the game. I really didn't care about the story, I didn't like the way it evolved, but I guess that's just "too bad for me".

7/10 would be a more reasonable score for me, it looks nice and all, but it just doesn't have the depth or enjoyment factor of the 1st. Small zone areas in this 1 seriously got on my nerves as well, no idea if it's as bad on the xbox though

That said and done, good review :)

I never used the biomod for jumping in Deus Ex 1; I'll certainly try it as soon as I have some time, cool idea - I only played once Deus Ex until the end and the other time only until I realised I couldn't kill my "brother" - 'cause I wanted to stay with Majestic, not change the group!

I never used the biomod for jumping in Deus Ex 1

I loved the jumping biomod! Get a load of enemies chasing after you, turn around, run at them, jump over and turn around and blast them from behind. :-)

Also in HK with that particle accelerator/huge machine thing where the woman is near the bottom and you start right at the top, you're supposed to go down the ladders and stuff? Sod that, activate biomod and jump off the walkway. Land by her with minimal (maybe none it was a while ago) damage and save time.

I'd give it a 7/10 also. Disappointing sequel that should have stayed on the PC to begin with (And could have looked better... I believe the second screenshot in this review is from the pre-Xbox build of the game) but it is still nicely designed, although glitchy and the interface can be cumbersome.

Deus Ex: Dragon + Combat Strength, who needs guns?

the thing that sums it up...not to go spoilertastic, but you revisit places from the original DX later on in IW. And I swear, even though the textures are fancier and the RT shadows and bump-mapping yadda yadda, they looked *better* in the original, with more vibrant colours and more of a sense of space. Or maybe I'm just a nostalgic old fool.

Still a fine game though. If only it hadn't been in its predecessor's shadow. Shinji's 8/10 looks fair to me.

Excellent review Shinji with a similar conclusion to the far crappier (though amateur to be fair) one I did for Preys-World a while back.

http://preys-world.com/Reviews.php?NotList=1&Gid=68

Get with the times Eurogamer!

Yeah sorry, I'll just grab my kitchen knife and perform a frontal lobotomy on myself. Or alternatively we could continue writing about stuff in terms of what's actually good, rather than what the lowest common denominator is buying in droves, eh? Crazy concept, I know!

Excellent review Shinji with a similar conclusion to the far crappier (though amateur to be fair) one I did for Preys-World a while back.

http://preys-world.com/Reviews.php?NotList=1&Gid=68

That's a very good review, Dabs! The only problem is that there are too many spoilers in there in the first few paragraphs imo, so I am glad I've already played the bits you explain. ;-)

"This site is out of touch with what the main stream gamers like me want. Sure they are consistent with the hardcore gamers, but that view is out of touch of were the market is and what the majority of consumers want."

You're not head of development at EA are you ?

Please, please, please can we have another add-on pack for the Sims. Thanks.

I think it's obvious from the recent charts that gamers want what EA adverts tell them to want. ;)

Ta UncleLou. :-D

people who think the first one is best fpsrpg ever obviously havent played system shock...

deus ex 2 btw...
on xbox I'd remove 1 off its score... and keep it as an 8 for pc...

"And I swear, even though the textures are fancier and the RT shadows and bump-mapping yadda yadda, they looked *better* in the original, with more vibrant colours and more of a sense of space. Or maybe I'm just a nostalgic old fool."

Actually, fans have made their own texture packs for the PC version that are far more detailed than the originals found in the retail version. Stupid that Eidos didn't bother to update them (And I say Eidos when I am talking joinly about them or Ion Storm, as it's basically the same entity now).

I don't agree completely.

Sure if a game is enjoyable and immersive it's a good game. But if shakespeare wrote a 'just enjoyable' sequel to romeo and juliet, or Kubrick would make a 'hollywood action, but enjoyable' sequal to one of his films people would complain too.

Deus Ex:IW is 'unforgiven 2' yes, I am talking about Metallica :-)

Deus Ex:IW is 'unforgiven 2' yes, I am talking about Metallica :-)

But Unforgiven 2 was better than the original... *hides*

Graphically, Invisible War isn't the best looking game on the Xbox

I haven't played through enough yet to comment on the game itself, but I must say from what I've seen so far I would disagree with this comment on the graphics. I'd say that barring PGR2, which as a racing game appears to me an unfair comparison, then it is exactly that: the best looking game on Xbox.

Anyone got any suggestions as to what is better looking?

the first unforgiven totally raped unforgiven 2. you call yourself a metallica fan??!?!

Re – ‘If the review has words like "original", "innovative" or "depth" in it. Avoid.’

I’m all for originality, innovation and depth. GTA3 truly innovated AND was instantly compelling and entertaining. DE 2 may have innovation; I’ll take your word for it, however I found the 2hrs or so I spent playing it so, so dull that I doubt I will ever boot it up again.

I’m not saying Bond innovated, just that it was an entertaining experience, but got panned on this site.

Innovation without entertainment is masturbation.

Bond EON is ok but it's too much 'been there, done that' sort of affair. Anyone that defends EA games and/or what the mainstream audiciences go for can't really be taken seriously. Not that there anything wrong with EA games; they're very polished and most worth 40 quid but only if you haven't been around for long.


"Graphically, Invisible War isn't the best looking game on the Xbox"
"Anyone got any suggestions as to what is better looking?"

Ninja Gaiden is by far the best looking title EVER on XBox! I still have problems lifting my jaw and removing all the droll from the living floor. Panzer Dragon Orta has better graphics than PGR2/DE:IW.

it was an entertaining experience, but got panned on this site.

It got 6/10, which is an above average score on this site.

BGiE, my comment did in fact mean that 'unforgiven 2 is' a weak imitation of the original.

That's why it applies to Deus Ex: Invisible war. (with the original game being the original unforgiven).

And no, I haven't called myself a metallica fan in ages, still appreciate their old work though :-).

How was GTA 3 truly innovating?

Wasn't it just gta 1/2 in 3d graphics?

Ninja Gaiden is by far the best looking title EVER on XBox! I still have problems lifting my jaw and removing all the droll from the living floor. Panzer Dragon Orta has better graphics than PGR2/DE:IW.

Ninja Gaiden isn't out (here) yet though. As for PDO I guess just a difference in opinion as I do still think DX is better graphically.

I don't want to reduce the entire thread into discussion over how good or bad the graphics are, but I do feel that actually they ARE the best yet seen on Xbox, and that Ion Storm have done well here. This can only be a good thing in increasing the awareness of the game amongst people who might not otherwise have paid it any attention, and also in building further the levels of immersion for fans.

No argument mate. You just asked a question and I gave my opinion. Where I live Ninja Gaiden is out so I'll stick to that..

I do think PDO has better graphics than PGR2 but I only played IW for a few minutes so maybe I'm wrong about it. What matters is that finally the XBox has some games with graphics worthy of next-gen instead of those blurry textures from the usual PS2 ports. It's my fourth consecutive purchase for the box without buying any games for my PS2 so maybe things are changing.. Still dying to get my hands on Forbidden Siren and Ico 2 though.

"But Unforgiven 2 was better than the original... *hides*"

Ack, they're both crappy! Creeping Death-aaaa baby!! ;)

As this review is for the Xbox version and I doubt that a PC review is neccessary as the games are exactly the same and have all the same flaws and niggles. I figure I'll just point out some of the things I've noticed with the PC version for those who will be purchasing that version.

1. To really see the game in all its glory, you will need a 1.8mhz processor, 767 meg of ram and a geforce 5900 (does'nt have to be an ultra). With this spec the game will run at full pelt in 1024 res all video options on High with very little drop in frame rate when engaged with multiple enemies. So its not a system hog by any means and you should be thinking of upgrading for HL2 and Doom 3 anyway.

2. The physics model on the PC version is also slightly better than on Xbox as well. I cant explain exactly how but when shooting hoops in the Tarsus gym and whacking Billie with her pillow in her room. There was far more physical response from the enviroment and characters than on Xbox (To be honest though that wont really matter to anyone)

3. The control system was made with a pad in mind and thus you can find it irritating that you equip the wrong weapon or item in the heat of battle.

The review is spot on and having played the first through with all the different endings, it is not as good as the original. But if you loved the first then you should be able to overlook the streamlining and changes and enjoy what is without doubt a very capable successor to Deus Ex

Everygamer, the specs are just not in line with the graphics. Also they have given awful support for ATI cards. it's been built for the xbox which of course has an nvidia card. The pc version has a large nvidia logo at startup. It's no wonder they ignored the many people with ATI cards. All part of 'the way it's meant to be played' campaign.

True, you would expect more than you get (Farcry also runs at 1024 everything on high on my machine and looks far better) but the game was developed for Xbox first so it will never be a challenge for a high end PC. The spec I gave is based on the fact that I originaly played the game with the Spec mentioned in my last post but with a Geforce 5200, this was in no way the optimum set-up to run the game at and it showed. Once I'd got a 5900 It ran with all bells and whistles. I'm not gonna yank half my Ram out to tell people if it runs on 512 or 256 (Its not my job and I dont get paid for it). I just wanted to give other gamers some idea of realistic requirements.

P.S Sounds to me like someone chose ATi over N'videa and feels he got burned, you pays your money you takes ya chance friend :)

Oh yeah' I doubt theres a whole Xbox/N'videa conspiracy considering its ATi who are doing the graphics for Xbox2, so come Deus Ex 3 expect me on the thread whinging that I need to buy an ATi card cause its all a Microsoft/ATI fix :) (I am a bit worried about HL2 and how it will perform on my system though) what with the leaps consoles are taking I can't really see myself bothering to upgrade again. this will probably be my last PC sob/Yay....

bungalooBunny- i just tried "forbidden siren", it doesn't look better than "fatal frame 2", neither stylistically nor technically. but its whole idea is more lo-fi so it's only fitting. it earns for innovation though. a few missions in it i still can't figure out what the hell's going on.

as for "ico forever"... any news?!

Halflife 2 will run fine on your machine.

Well lets hope so I only bought the bloody thing to play HL2 & Deus Ex

While the game concept may be good the execution is awful. The NPCs are terribly animated (facial animation is almost non-existent),the physics system is extremely poor and looks like it updates at a far lesser rate than the screen update. The 'interaction' with the game world is laughable;turning on taps and showers results in what look like sprite effects. The game runs quite slowly on my pc (which isn't too shabby) and makes combat a pain.
Very poor game.

sounds exactly like dx1! the most embarassingly overrated game since "halo".

Them's fighting words space ace!

I agree on Halo though.