Deus Ex is a series of action role-playing video games. The first games were made by Ion Storm from 2000 to 2003, and later by Eidos-Montréal from 2011 to 2017. The series started with the first game, published by Eidos Interactive in 2000. It included three main games and several other titles. Players can shoot, sneak, and make choices that affect the story. Levels often have many ways to solve problems. A key feature is "augmentations," which are special tools or body parts that help characters complete tasks. The games are set in a futuristic world with advanced technology and crime. Characters investigate mysteries linked to secret groups, such as the Illuminati. Common themes include changes to the human body, terrorism, and unfair treatment.

The first game was created by Warren Spector, who designed the story based on science fiction and political ideas. Ion Storm made a sequel called Invisible War in 2003 and tried to create a third game before closing in 2005. Eidos-Montréal restarted the series in 2007 with a prequel called Human Revolution in 2011. The success of Human Revolution led to a new game in 2016 and other titles published by Square Enix.

The series is often praised for its gameplay and setting. The original Deus Ex is frequently mentioned as an example of the "immersive sim" category, which includes games with complex, player-driven experiences. Each game has received different levels of praise over time. Starting with Human Revolution, the series expanded into comics and novels, 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 story takes place during a global pandemic and follows JC Denton, a secret agent with cybernetic enhancements, as he uncovers a conspiracy linked to the pandemic and his employers.
• Deus Ex: Invisible War, a direct sequel to the original game, was released in 2003 for Windows and Xbox. Set 20 years after the first game, it 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 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 port came out in 2012, and a complete version was released in 2013 for the Wii U and original platforms, 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 connected 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 his investigation into 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, leaving its story incomplete. 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 that explores parts of the game’s environments.

Human Revolution had several media expansions released around its launch, including a prequel comic series and two prequel novels that expanded on its world and characters. 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 between Human Revolution and later games.

Common elements

The Deus Ex series includes video games that mix action and role-playing elements, such as first-person shooting, stealth, and character development. The first game was inspired by other popular games from the time, like Half-Life, Fallout, Thief: The Dark Project, and GoldenEye 007. The goal was to create a game that combined different genres into one. Over time, the gameplay stayed similar, but later games made some changes to make playing easier or added new features like different perspectives and abilities. The series is often called "immersive sim," a type of game that gives players freedom to explore and make choices in a realistic world.

Players mostly see the game world from a first-person view, but later games sometimes switch to a third-person view for specific situations. The original idea was for players to have many ways to complete tasks and progress through the game. This freedom to choose how to play has stayed important in later games. Players explore large 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 that use machines or tiny robots. These can include permanent tools like radio links or optional abilities like invisibility, hacking, or combat skills. The first game used both Augmentations and a system that gave players points to improve their abilities. Invisible War linked Augmentations to categories that could be upgraded with items called Biomods. Starting with Human Revolution, Augmentations are unlocked using items called Praxis Kits, which players can buy, earn by completing quests, or gain through experience points. Human Revolution focused on Augmentations that helped with action or stealth, while Mankind Divided made them useful for more types of playstyles.

The games take place in a cyberpunk version of the 21st Century, with stories set from the 2020s to the 2070s. Each game follows an augmented character who investigates mysteries that lead to larger conspiracies. Players' choices during the game affect the ending. A recurring group of enemies is a fictional version of the Illuminati. In earlier games, the Illuminati are shown as a powerful secret society, but in later games, they are described as a group of corporate leaders with loose connections.

The original Deus Ex is set in 2052, a time when the world is close to social and economic collapse due to environmental problems and strong corporate control. Invisible War takes place in 2072, after a global war called the "Collapse," when people live in separate city-states and groups compete for power. 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 growing 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 leads to discrimination in Mankind Divided.

From the start, the series included real-world conspiracy theories as part of its story. This was influenced by popular culture from the late 1990s to 2000s. Invisible War introduced themes about terrorism and why people become labeled as terrorists. Human Revolution and related games focus on transhumanism, the idea of using technology to enhance human abilities, shown through the main character Adam Jensen. The series also explores the growing power of large corporations, reflecting real-world concerns. Mankind Divided includes themes about discrimination, which is shown as a result of social separation caused by Augmentations.

History and development

The original idea for Deus Ex was created by Warren Spector, who first called it "Troubleshooter." He was inspired by his wife’s interest in The X-Files, as well as the work of cyberpunk writer Bruce Sterling and his own game design goals. Spector wanted to create a realistic role-playing game set in a future filled with secret plans and hidden dangers. However, his employer at the time did not support the 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. The project began in 1997 under the name Shooter: Majestic Revelations. Harvey Smith, a former colleague of Spector, worked as lead designer, and Sheldon Pacotti was the lead writer. Eidos Interactive provided money for the game and helped release it, hoping to add new types of games to their collection.

The game faced challenges during development, including problems with the project’s size, disagreements among the team, and low morale caused by negative news about Ion Storm’s Dallas studio. To finish the game on time, some planned areas and gameplay ideas were removed.

After the success of the first Deus Ex, work began on a sequel called Invisible War. The goal was to make the game more widely appealing 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 to Invisible War were made to make the game more profitable and attract players outside the original game’s small audience. He also said the team listened too much to early testers, which led to changes in the game’s science fiction setting and gameplay.

After Invisible War, Ion Storm tried to create a third Deus Ex game but failed before the company closed in 2005. Two major projects were planned: one using the same engine as Invisible War but improving its mechanics, and another open-world sequel. A spin-off called Deus Ex: Clan Wars was being made with Crystal Dynamics but was later removed from the Deus Ex series and renamed Project Snowblind in 2005. Invisible War was the last Deus Ex game made by Ion Storm, which shut down after releasing Thief: Deadly Shadows in 2005.

In 2007, a new Deus Ex game began development at Eidos-Montréal, a newly formed company. The game was eventually named Human Revolution. Many of the staff had previously worked at Ubisoft Montreal and were fans of the original Deus Ex. While described as a reboot, the team aimed to keep the core ideas of the original game. In 2009, Eidos Interactive was bought by Square Enix, who published the game. Mary DeMarle led the scenario design team, and Sheldon Pacotti was an early advisor. Other key staff included game director Jean-François Dugas and art director Jonathan Jacques-Belletête, who combined cyberpunk styles with colors and themes from the art of Johannes Vermeer and Rembrandt. The game’s large size and complexity caused some parts, like boss battles, to be outsourced to other groups.

No sequel was planned for Human Revolution, but its success led Eidos-Montréal to create 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, 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 delays due to staffing problems and splitting work between the main story and the Breach multiplayer mode. Half of the planned content was removed.

After rumors that the Deus Ex series was paused due to low sales of Mankind Divided, Eidos-Montréal and Square Enix clarified that no new game was in development at the time but planned to return to the series eventually. In 2025, writer Mark Cecere said 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 former Eidos companies to Embracer Group, Embracer Group said they wanted to support the series through new games and updated versions. A new Deus Ex game was reportedly in development for two years before being canceled in 2024 as part of mass layoffs. As of 2025, Eidos-Montréal was working on a potential new entry for publishers.

Reception

The original Deus Ex and its sequel, Invisible War, sold well and had sold more than two million copies together by 2009. Human Revolution sold many copies in 2011, reaching over two million units. While no exact numbers were given, Mankind Divided was reported to have sold successfully. 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 strong storytelling. In a 2013 review, Brian Albert from IGN said each game had its own strengths, even though some parts of the games had weaknesses. Ian Dransfield, writing for Retro Gamer, said the original Deus Ex was never bettered, and Human Revolution showed how popular the series remained despite few new games. The original Deus Ex is often called an early example of an immersive sim, a type of game known for deep player freedom, and later games in the series also received this label.

When it was first released, Deus Ex was praised for its gameplay and the many choices it gave players. However, its graphics and sound received mixed reviews. Over time, Deus Ex has been listed as one of the best video games ever by many publications. In 2001, it won 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.

Invisible War was praised for adapting the gameplay of Deus Ex to a console. While its story and gameplay were also praised, they were seen as weaker than the original due to certain issues. In later reviews, some people involved in making the game had mixed feelings about it, and many journalists considered it the weakest game in the series. Human Revolution was praised for continuing the gameplay style of the original game, with recognition for its design, story, and visuals. Critics noted that its boss battles offered few choices for players. Mankind Divided was praised for its deep story and improved gameplay. However, critics pointed out that its main story was short and that its themes were handled in ways that some found unsatisfying.