Are you disappointed with Cyberpunk 2077 and ready to finally try out another Sci-Fi classic, the popular Deus Ex? But you don’t know which game of the series to play (first)?
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Here you will find the award-winning series ranked from fun to most fun so that you can pick which one is right for you and dive right into it.
6. Deus Ex - 2000 (PC, Mac OS, PlayStation 2)
Deus Ex Trailer
The original Deus Ex is old but gold - called a masterpiece by nostalgic fans all over the world. Even though the graphics are not quite up to date (it came out in the year 2000 after all), the freedom of choice in the game will give you hours of fun.
You will get to know the dark gloomy future of the Deus Ex world that is set in 2052 where big corporations control the world (wait, what? In the FUTURE? Uh...). As JC Denton you partner up with your brother Paul to explore what’s behind the organizational structure of UNATCO and how all of the big influential groups in this world are interconnected.
While this game acts as a wonderful start to the series, the downside is that it might be hard to get into if you aren’t hooked on it from playing it back in the day. In-between pixels and pixel-y figures you will try to make out what tool it is that you are carrying around and then it might take you some time to figure out how to use it. But hey, who doesn’t love a good challenge?
Oh, and the upside? You will finally meet the classic one-liners that got taken out of context in memes way too many times. And it’s also very playable even on old computers! Believe me, if my little ol’ HP Stream 11 can run it, your PC can do it, too.
5. Deus Ex Go - 2016 (Android, iOS, Windows, Windows 10 Mobile)
As the newest edition to the series, this mobile game aligns with the other Go games: Hitman Go, Lara Croft Go (which mysteriously is not named Tomb Raider Go). It offers the same kind of gameplay: a turn-based puzzle experience.
While this is a lovely game that runs incredibly smoothly, it was made for mobile devices after all and there is not that much to discover. Once you’ve played a few levels, you have played them all. Think of it as a Deus Ex Sudoku experience with nicely animated pictures and an extremely good OST that fits the mood of the series.
At some point there will be vague lore references to Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, but there isn’t a whole lot of story per se. Though if you miss the Deus Ex feel while on the go or just want a nice puzzle game with a fancy Sci-Fi look, you will definitely want this on your phone.
4. Deus Ex: The Fall - 2013 (iOS, Android, Windows)
As another mobile game in the series, The Fall follows the story of Ben Saxon and Anna Kelso after what happened to them in the novel Deus Ex: Icarus Effect. Chronologically, it is set in a time gap that is suggested at the beginning of the game Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Die-hard lore fans who want to see more of the social structure and character relations will not want to miss this.
However, like Deus Ex Go, it’s a mobile experience that was later made available on Windows. In contrast to the former title, it offers meaningful dialogues and real action – and a whole lot of that, given the technical limitations of mobile phones.
It’s relatively short in playtime though and cannot live up to the titles for consoles and PC, so just don’t expect too much from it. Look at it as an addition to the other games and enjoy the story.
3. Deus Ex: Invisible War - 2003 (Windows, Xbox)
Set twenty years after the original Deus Ex in 2072, Deus Ex: Invisible War introduces Alex D., the main character that you can choose to be either male or female. It’s noteworthy that this is a unique feature in the whole series that offers a bit of variety in the customization of your default character.
In terms of the story, there is a whole lot going on here. After the events that took place in Deus Ex, the whole world needs to deal with the aftermath. That’s where you come into play (pun intended!). You will be introduced to new characters and even new factions that formed – for all we know, it’s the new gloomy SCATTERED future now.
With a good amount of errands to run and tasks to finish, you will either help or fight a certain group. We are back to the freedom of choice – go quietly or kick their butts! You do you. Perhaps this time you don’t even have to squint as much to recognize the tool you are holding.
Oh and maybe, just maybe, you will get to see an alien or two.
Deus Ex: Invisible War turns up with a circular interface
2. Deus Ex: Human Revolution - 2011 (Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Mac OS X, Wii U)
Now we’re getting somewhere. The “reboot” of the series 8 years later warps us back in time to a prequel to the original Deus Ex. The year is 2027 and this time, it’s about the main character Adam Jensen and his story.
The aesthetic of the game reaches new heights but still remains true to the style, the slight gloominess that hangs around in all of the games is always present. But it comes with major upgrades in graphics and gameplay – nothing before felt quite as smooth and immersive. In fact, it feels so immersive, so story-driven, so open and free that Deus Ex: Human Revolution seems to have set a new standard for immersive RPGs.
While the main story is somewhat linear, your actions and choices in dialogues affect your world and the people around you. Replay it and you will still find new ways to deal with things and people. You might even realize you missed a side mission in your first playthrough (no, that totally didn’t happen to me, nuh-uh).
The best part? Chronologically it’s the first part of the whole series, so you don’t need any background info. Just dive right into this – live and breathe Deus Ex as Adam Jensen.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution shows up like your girlfriend dressed to the nines for prom
1. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided - 2016 (Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, macOS)
The absolute best and most fun experience among all Deus Ex games – Deus Ex: Mankind Divided. You can do nothing wrong with this game, even if you play it first. Sure, it is a sequel to the last prequel of the series (you’re still following, right? Don’t even make me throw in the novels). But as it tells the story with a 2-year gap after Human Revolution, the year is now 2029 and Adam Jensen has started a new job.
What sounds like a Stardew Valley opening scene, is in fact much more of an urban experience. Adam comes to Europe, and let me tell you, that futuristic Europe looks stunning. A Sci-Fi take on modern-day cities that surpasses all older games in how sharp, crisp, immersive and grasping it is.
Now more than ever the mechanical enhancements of your playable character will move so smoothly, almost effortlessly, and the gunplay will feel like a warm knife cutting through butter. Main and side missions have a solid background, and the whole world is interconnected – not just because of the internet (hacking into other people’s computers never felt so rewarding!), but because of your choices as well.
What’s more? Different choices will unlock different approaches and more impactful consequences in this action-packed cyber-thriller RPG. It’s truly a masterpiece and a once-in-a-lifetime game. You can’t miss this one!
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided provides an unforgettable experience
