Deus Ex is a series of action role-playing video games. Ion Storm created the first games from 2000 to 2003. Later, Eidos-Montréal developed the games from 2011 to 2017. The series began with the first game, published by Eidos Interactive in 2000. It includes three main games and several other titles. The gameplay combines first-person shooting, stealth, and role-playing features. Levels in the games offer many ways to solve problems. A common feature is "augmentations," which are artificial organs that help characters complete tasks and change how players play. The games take place in a science fiction cyberpunk future. Characters explore mysteries connected to secret organizations, such as the Illuminati. Themes in the series include transhumanism, terrorism, and discrimination.
The first game was created by Warren Spector, who designed the original plan and setting based on science fiction and political fiction. Ion Storm made a sequel called Invisible War in 2003. They tried to create a third game but closed in 2005. Eidos-Montréal restarted the series in 2007 with a prequel called Human Revolution, released in 2011. The success of Human Revolution led to a new game in 2016 and other titles, all published by Square Enix at the time.
The series has been praised for its gameplay and setting. Some journalists say the original Deus Ex is a key example of an "immersive sim," a category that includes other games in the series. Each game has received different reviews over time. Starting with Human Revolution, the series expanded into comics and novels as 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 released for Mac OS, and in 2002 for PlayStation 2. The game takes place during a worldwide pandemic. It follows a secret agent named JC Denton, who has special technology, as he uncovers a conspiracy related to the pandemic and his own employers.
Deus Ex: Invisible War, a direct follow-up to the first game, was released in 2003 for Windows and Xbox. Set 20 years after the original game, it follows Alex D, an augmented corporate agent who 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 original 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 was released in 2013 for the Wii U and its original platforms, including all previous DLC. The game is set in 2027 during a time of social change. It follows Adam Jensen, a former SWAT member turned security chief, as he investigates an attack on his company by augmented mercenaries linked to a larger conspiracy.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, a direct follow-up 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 until 2017 with a series of DLC scenarios called "Jensen's Stories." Set in 2029, Jensen continues to investigate conspiracy leaders 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 published in 2013 for mobile devices and 2014 for Windows. A sequel to The Fall was planned but never made, leaving its story incomplete. A puzzle game for mobile platforms, 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 that explores some of the game’s environments.
Human Revolution had multiple media expansions released around it, expanding on its world and characters. These included 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 shooter, 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 game styles into one. The gameplay has stayed mostly the same, though later games made some changes to make it easier or added new features. The series is often called "immersive sim," meaning players have freedom to explore and interact with realistic game worlds.
Players mostly see the game world from a first-person view, but later games sometimes switch to a third-person perspective. The original idea was for players to have many choices in how they complete tasks and progress through the game. Later games kept this focus on choices. Players explore areas with main and side quests, and they can use different methods, such as fighting or sneaking, to complete objectives. 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 using machines or nanotechnology. These can include permanent tools like radios or optional abilities like invisibility or hacking. The first game used both augmentations and a system that gave players points to improve their skills. Invisible War grouped augmentations into categories that could be upgraded with items called Biomods. Starting with Human Revolution, augmentations are unlocked using items called Praxis Kits, which players earn through money, quests, or experience points. Human Revolution focused on action and stealth abilities, while Mankind Divided made augmentations work for more playstyles.
The games are set in a cyberpunk version of the 21st Century, spanning from the 2020s to the 2070s. Each story follows an augmented character who solves mysteries that lead to bigger conspiracies. Players' choices affect the ending. A recurring group of enemies is a fictional version of the Illuminati. In early games, they were shown as a powerful secret society, but later games described them as a group of powerful business leaders.
The first game, Deus Ex, is set in 2052, a time when the world is near collapse due to environmental issues and strong corporate control. 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 theme in Human Revolution is the divide between people who use augmentations and those who don’t. A key event in Human Revolution is a violent attack by augmented people, called the "Aug Incident," which led to discrimination in Mankind Divided.
A common feature in the series is the inclusion of real-world conspiracy theories as part of the story. This was influenced by popular culture from the late 1990s to early 2000s. Invisible War explored the idea of terrorism and why people become labeled as terrorists. Human Revolution and related games focus on transhumanism, shown through the character Adam Jensen, who is augmented against his will. The series also examines the growing power of large corporations and the issue of discrimination against augmented people, as seen in Mankind Divided.
History and development
The original idea for the game Deus Ex was created by Warren Spector, who first called it "Troubleshooter." He was inspired by his wife's interest in The X-Files and by the work of cyberpunk writer Bruce Sterling. He wanted to make a realistic role-playing game set in a future filled with secret plans and hidden dangers. His employer at the time did not support his idea, so it was not used until John Romero invited him to lead the Austin branch of a new company called Ion Storm. At Ion Storm, Spector had creative freedom to develop the game. It began in 1997 under the name Shooter: Majestic Revelations. Harvey Smith, a former colleague of Spector, was the lead designer, and Sheldon Pacotti was the lead writer. Eidos Interactive funded and published the game, hoping to add new types of games to their collection. However, the project faced problems, including disagreements among the team, challenges with the game's size, and negative attention from the media. Some parts of the game were removed to meet the release deadline.
After the first game's success, work began on the sequel, Invisible War. The goal was to create a version of the game that would appeal to a wider audience and give players more choices. Harvey Smith became the director, Sheldon Pacotti returned as lead writer, and Warren Spector worked in a supervisory role. Later, Spector said the changes made to Invisible War were meant to make the game more profitable and reach players outside the original game's small fanbase. He also said the team listened too much to early testers, which led to changes in the game's setting and gameplay.
After Invisible War, Ion Storm tried to make a third Deus Ex game before the company closed. Two major projects were planned: one that would use the same game engine as Invisible War but improve its features, and another that would be an open-world sequel. A spin-off called Deus Ex: Clan Wars was being developed with Crystal Dynamics, but it was later separated from the series and renamed Project Snowblind in 2005. Invisible War was the last Deus Ex game made by Ion Storm, which shut down in 2005 after releasing Thief: Deadly Shadows.
A new Deus Ex game, later called Human Revolution, began development in 2007 at Eidos-Montréal, a newly formed company. Many of the staff had worked at Ubisoft Montreal and were fans of the original Deus Ex. The game was described as a reboot of the series but aimed to keep the core values of the original. Eidos Interactive was bought by Square Enix in 2009, who published the game. A team led by Mary DeMarle handled the game's scenario design, and Sheldon Pacotti was an early consultant. Other key staff included game director Jean-François Dugas and art director Jonathan Jacques-Belletête, who created a design blending cyberpunk styles with colors and elements from the work of artists Johannes Vermeer and Rembrandt. The game's large scale and ambitious goals caused challenges, with some parts, like boss battles, needing outside help.
No sequel was planned for Human Revolution, but its success led Eidos-Montréal to start work on Mankind Divided after finishing the DLC The Missing Link. Jean-François Dugas returned as director, Mary DeMarle as lead writer, and Jonathan Jacques-Belletête as executive art director, with Martin Dubeau taking over as lead art director. The team aimed to improve and expand on Human Revolution's gameplay based on player feedback. However, production faced problems, including staffing issues and splitting efforts between the single-player campaign and the Breach multiplayer mode. Half of the planned story was cut.
After rumors that the Deus Ex series was paused due to low sales of Mankind Divided, Eidos-Montréal and Square Enix said no game was in development at the time but planned to return to the series eventually. Writer Mark Cecere said in 2025 that a direct sequel to Human Revolution was planned to finish the story but was 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 series through modern ports and new games. A new entry was reportedly in development for two years before being canceled in 2024 due to mass layoffs. As of 2025, Eidos-Montréal was working on a potential new game for publishers.
Reception
The original Deus Ex and its sequel, Invisible War, sold well. By 2009, they had sold more than two million copies combined. In 2011, Human Revolution ranked high in sales charts and sold over two million units. Mankind Divided was said to have done well in sales, though no exact numbers were given. As of 2022, all versions of Human Revolution and Mankind Divided sold a total of 12 million copies worldwide.
The Deus Ex series is known for giving players many choices and a strong story. In a 2013 article, IGN’s Brian Albert said each game had its own strengths despite some weaknesses. In another article, Ian Dransfield from Retro Gamer said the original Deus Ex was the best in the series, while Human Revolution showed how popular the series remained even with few releases. The original Deus Ex is often called an early example of an immersive sim, a type of game that lets players explore and make choices. Later games in the series also received this label.
When it first came out, Deus Ex received praise for its gameplay and the many choices it gave players. However, its graphics and audio had mixed reviews. Over time, Deus Ex has been listed as one of the best video games ever by many publications. In 2001, it received more than thirty "Best of" awards from different outlets. 1UP.com called it one of the most important games ever, saying its influence was very large.
When it was first released, Invisible War was praised for bringing the Deus Ex gameplay style to a console. Its story and gameplay were also praised, but some said they were not as strong as the original. Later reviews showed mixed opinions about the game, and many journalists considered it the weakest in the series. Human Revolution was praised for continuing the original game’s style, with its design, story, and visuals receiving positive feedback. Critics pointed out that its boss battles had limited options for players. Mankind Divided was praised for its deep story and better gameplay. However, some critics said the main story was too short and that the game’s themes were not handled clearly.