Deus Ex is a series of action and role-playing video games. The series was first created by Ion Storm from 2000 to 2003 and later developed by Eidos-Montréal from 2011 to 2017. The first game in the series, titled Deus Ex, was published by Eidos Interactive in 2000. The series includes three main games and several other titles. The gameplay combines first-person shooting, stealth, and role-playing elements. Levels in the games often allow players to solve problems in different ways. A key feature of the series is the use of augmentations, which are artificial organs powered by technology that help players complete tasks and influence how they play. The games are set in a futuristic, science fiction world known as cyberpunk. Characters in the series investigate mysteries linked to conspiracy theories and groups like the Illuminati. Common themes in the series include transhumanism, terrorism, and discrimination.
The original game was designed by Warren Spector, who created the first plan for the game and developed the setting based on science fiction and political fiction stories. Ion Storm made a sequel called Invisible War in 2003 and tried to create a third game before closing in 2005. In 2007, Eidos-Montréal restarted the series with a prequel titled Human Revolution, released in 2011. The success of Human Revolution led to a new version of the series in 2016 and several other games, all published by Square Enix at the time.
The series has received praise for its game design and world-building. Some journalists have called the original Deus Ex a key example of the "immersive sim" category, which includes other games in the series. Each game in the series has been reviewed differently over time. Starting with Human Revolution, the series expanded into other media, such as comics and novels, which were part of a project called the "Deus Ex Universe."
Games
Deus Ex was released in 2000 for Microsoft Windows. Later that year, it was also available for Mac OS. A version for PlayStation 2 came out in 2002. The story takes place during a worldwide pandemic and follows JC Denton, a secret agent with cybernetic enhancements, as he uncovers a conspiracy linked to the pandemic and his own employers.
Deus Ex: Invisible War, a direct sequel to the first game, was released in 2003 for Windows and Xbox. Set 20 years after the original, the story follows Alex D, an augmented corporate agent, as he becomes involved in efforts to reshape and control the world after the events of the first game.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution, a prequel to the first game, was released in 2011 for Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. A downloadable content (DLC) expansion called The Missing Link was released the same year. An OS X version came out in 2012, and a complete version for the Wii U and original platforms was released in 2013, including all previous DLC. Set in 2027 during a time of social change, the story follows Adam Jensen, a former SWAT member turned security chief, as he investigates an attack on his company by augmented mercenaries tied to a larger conspiracy.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, a direct sequel to Human Revolution, was released in 2016 for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Versions for other operating systems were released in 2016 and 2017. The game received support through 2017 with a series of DLC scenarios called "Jensen's Stories." Set in 2029, Jensen continues to investigate conspiracy figures while working for Interpol as an agent during a time of discrimination against augmented people.
A mobile spin-off called Deus Ex: The Fall, set within the timeline of Human Revolution, was developed by N-Fusion Interactive and released in 2013 for mobile devices and 2014 for Windows. A sequel to The Fall was planned but never made. A puzzle game called Deus Ex Go was developed by Square Enix Montreal and released in 2016. In 2017, two products related to Mankind Divided were released: Breach, a standalone version of the game’s multiplayer element, and a non-interactive virtual reality experience exploring parts of the game’s environments.
Human Revolution had multiple media expansions that expanded on its world and characters, including a prequel comic series and two prequel novels. After Human Revolution, future entries and related media in the Deus Ex series were grouped under a project called the "Deus Ex Universe." Mankind Divided also had several comics and a spin-off novel that filled in the story after Human Revolution.
Common elements
The Deus Ex series includes action role-playing video games that mix first-person shooting, stealth, and role-playing features. The first game was inspired by other popular games like Half-Life, Fallout, Thief: The Dark Project, and GoldenEye 007. The goal was to create a game that combined different styles into one. Over time, the gameplay stayed mostly the same, but later games made some changes to make playing easier or added new features. The series is often called "immersive sim," which means players have a lot of freedom to explore and make choices in a realistic world.
Players mostly see the game from a first-person view, but later games sometimes switch to a third-person view. The original idea was for players to have many ways to complete tasks and progress in the game. Later games kept this freedom of choice as an important part. Players control a character who explores areas with main and side quests. These quests offer different ways to play, including both fighting and non-fighting options, and can lead to many different endings. Hacking computers and locks is a common feature in all games. Some games have unique elements, like universal ammunition in Invisible War or a multiplayer mode called Breach in Mankind Divided.
A key feature in all games is "Augmentations," which are artificial organs that use machines or tiny robots. These can be permanent, like radio links, or optional, like cloaking or hacking abilities. The first game used both Augmentations and a system that gave players points to improve skills. Invisible War tied Augmentations to categories that could be upgraded with items called Biomods. Starting with Human Revolution, players use items called Praxis Kits to unlock Augmentations. These can be bought with in-game money, earned by completing quests, or gained through experience points. Human Revolution focused on action and stealth-based Augmentations, while Mankind Divided made them work well for more playstyles.
The Deus Ex series is set in a cyberpunk version of the 21st Century, covering the years 2020s to 2070s. Each game follows an augmented character who investigates mysteries that lead to bigger conspiracies. The choices players make during the game affect the ending. A recurring enemy group is a fictional version of the Illuminati. In earlier games, they were shown as a powerful secret society, but in later games, they are compared to a group of corporate leaders.
The first game, Deus Ex, is set in 2052, a time when the world is facing major social and economic problems due to environmental issues and strong corporate power. Invisible War takes place in 2072, after a global war called the "Collapse," where people live in separate city-states. Games after Human Revolution are set in the 2020s during a time of technological and social change called the "Cyber Renaissance." A major plot point in Human Revolution is the growing divide between people who use Augmentations and those who do not. A key event is the "Aug Incident," where augmented people experience a violent mental breakdown, leading to discrimination in later games.
From the start, the series included real conspiracy theories as part of its story, influenced by late 1990s to 2000s culture. Invisible War explored the idea of terrorism and why people become labeled as terrorists. Human Revolution and its related games focus on transhumanism, which looks at humans using technology to enhance their abilities. The game also shows the growing power of large corporations, reflecting real-world concerns. Mankind Divided includes the theme of discrimination, showing how the use of Augmentations can lead to social separation.
History and development
The original idea for the game Deus Ex was created by Warren Spector. He first called it "Troubleshooter." He was inspired by his wife’s love for The X-Files and by the work of a writer named Bruce Sterling. Spector wanted to make a role-playing game set in a future filled with secret groups and hidden plans. His employer was not interested in the idea, so it was not used until John Romero asked Spector to lead a new team at a company called Ion Storm. This team had full creative freedom. The game began in 1997 under the name Shooter: Majestic Revelations. Harvey Smith, a former coworker of Spector, was the lead designer. Sheldon Pacotti was the lead writer. Eidos Interactive, a company that makes and sells games, funded and published the game. They wanted to add more variety to their collection of games.
Making the game was difficult. The project was very large, and there were disagreements among the team members. People were also upset because of bad news about Ion Storm’s office in Dallas. Because of these problems, some parts of the game were removed before it was finished.
After the first game was released and became popular, work began on a sequel called Invisible War. The goal was to make the game more accessible to a wider audience and give players more choices. Harvey Smith became the director, and Sheldon Pacotti returned as the lead writer. Warren Spector worked as a supervisor. Later, Spector said the changes were made to make the game more profitable and reach players who were not part of the original game’s small group of fans. He also said the team listened too much to early testers, which changed the game’s setting and made some gameplay features less complex.
After Invisible War, Ion Storm tried to make a third Deus Ex game but failed. Two main projects were planned: one would use the same game engine as Invisible War but improve its mechanics, and another would be an open-world sequel. A spin-off called Deus Ex: Clan Wars was made with another company, Crystal Dynamics, but it was no longer connected to the Deus Ex series and was renamed Project Snowblind in 2005. Invisible War was the last Deus Ex game made by Ion Storm, which closed in 2005 after releasing Thief: Deadly Shadows.
A new Deus Ex game began in 2007 at a new company called Eidos-Montréal. The game was later named Human Revolution. Many of the team members had worked at Ubisoft Montreal and were fans of the original Deus Ex. The game was described as a new start for the series but stayed true to the original’s main ideas. In 2009, Eidos Interactive was bought by Square Enix, which published the game. A team led by Mary DeMarle designed the game’s scenarios. Sheldon Pacotti was a consultant early in the project. Other important team members included game director Jean-François Dugas and art director Jonathan Jacques-Belletête, who created a style that mixed cyberpunk themes with colors and designs inspired by artists Johannes Vermeer and Rembrandt. Some parts of the game, like boss battles, were made by outside groups.
No sequel was planned for Human Revolution, but its success led to the development of Mankind Divided after finishing the The Missing Link DLC. Jean-François Dugas returned as director, Mary DeMarle as lead writer, and Jonathan Jacques-Belletête as executive art director. Martin Dubeau became lead art director. The team aimed to improve and expand the gameplay of Human Revolution based on player feedback. However, production faced problems, such as staffing issues and splitting the team’s focus between the main story and a multiplayer mode called Breach. Half of the planned game content was removed.
Rumors spread that the Deus Ex series was paused because Mankind Divided did not sell well. Eidos-Montréal and Square Enix clarified that no new game was being made at the time but planned to return to the series later. In 2025, writer Mark Cecere said a direct sequel to Human Revolution was planned but canceled to focus on other projects. After Square Enix sold Eidos-Montréal and other companies to Embracer Group, Embracer Group said they wanted to invest in the Deus Ex series through modern versions and new games. A new entry was reported to be in development for two years but canceled in 2024 due to mass layoffs at Embracer Group’s studios. As of 2025, Eidos-Montréal was working on a new Deus Ex game for publishers.
Reception
The original Deus Ex and its sequel, Invisible War, sold many copies and had sold more than two million units together by 2009. Human Revolution sold over two million units in 2011. While no exact numbers were given, Mankind Divided was reported to have been commercially successful. As of 2022, all versions of Human Revolution and Mankind Divided sold a total of 12 million units worldwide.
The Deus Ex series is known for giving players many choices and a strong story. In a 2013 article about the series, IGN’s Brian Albert said each game had its own strengths, even though some parts of the design had weaknesses. In another article for Retro Gamer, Ian Dransfield said the original game was still the best, and Human Revolution showed how popular the series remained despite few new releases. The original Deus Ex is often called an early example of an immersive sim, a type of game that gives players a lot of freedom. Later games in the series were also called this type of game.
When it was first released, Deus Ex was praised for its gameplay and the variety of choices for players. However, its graphics and sound received mixed reviews. Over time, Deus Ex has been ranked highly in lists of the best video games of all time. In 2001, it received over thirty "Best of" awards from different sources. 1UP.com called it one of the most important games ever made, saying its influence was very large.
When Invisible War was first released, it was praised for bringing the gameplay of Deus Ex to a console. Its story and gameplay were also well-received, but they were considered weaker than the original game because of certain issues. Later reviews showed mixed feelings about the game, and many critics called it the weakest part of the series. Human Revolution was praised for continuing the gameplay style of the original game, with strong design, story, and visuals. Some critics said the boss battles lacked enough options for players. Mankind Divided was praised for its deep story and improved gameplay. However, some critics said the main story was too short and that the game’s themes were not handled clearly enough.