Deus Ex: Invisible War
Second Deus Ex game set after a combined-ending Collapse.
Deus Ex: Invisible War is a 2003 action role-playing video game developed by Ion Storm and published by Eidos Interactive for Microsoft Windows and Xbox. It is the second game in the Deus Ex series, set twenty years after the original, and follows a scenario where a combination of all three possible endings of the first game took place. The game is noted for its accessible redesign of the original's systems and its focus on the theme of terrorism.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Deus Ex: Invisible War
- Developer
- Ion Storm
- Publisher
- Eidos Interactive
- Director
- Harvey Smith
- Producer
- Bill Money · Paul Weaver
- Designer
- Ricardo Bare
- Programmer
- Chris Carollo
- Artist
- Whitney Ayres · Sergio Rosas
- Writer
- Sheldon Pacotti · Sarah Paetsch
- Composer
- Alexander Brandon · Todd Simmons
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 2
- Series
- Deus Ex
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Deus Ex: Invisible War takes place in 2072, twenty years after Deus Ex. The backstory reveals that a combination of all three possible endings of the first game occurred: JC Denton kills Bob Page, merges with Helios, destroys Area 51, and sides with the Illuminati to rebuild. This triggered a worldwide war and depression called the 'Collapse', leading to city-states and walled enclaves. The player character, Alex D, is a clone from the same program as JC and Paul Denton, raised in Chicago and trained at the Tarsus Academy. After a terrorist attack in Chicago, Alex is evacuated to Seattle and becomes embroiled in conflicts among factions vying for control of the world.
Gameplay combines first-person shooter, stealth, and role-playing elements. Players explore hub-based environments, complete quests in multiple ways, and customize Alex's gender and appearance. Biomods—nanite-filled canisters—enhance physical and mental attributes across five body slots. Weapons include lethal and non-lethal options, and all guns share a single ammunition pool. Conversations feature multiple dialogue options that affect story events. The game was developed with console hardware limitations in mind, and later team members faulted some of their decisions for the title.
Reader's Guide
Deus Ex: Invisible War was acclaimed for its graphics, narrative, and freedom of choice in both gameplay and story. Criticism was directed at enemy artificial intelligence, some design choices, and problems with the PC port. As of 2011, the game had sold over one million copies worldwide. Later opinions from journalists and staff have been polarized, with several websites calling it the weakest entry in the Deus Ex series. The game's development aimed to create a more accessible version of the original's systems while preserving essentials. After Ion Storm's closure in 2005, a prequel to the first game, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, was developed by Eidos Montréal and released in 2011. Invisible War remains a notable but divisive entry, often discussed in the context of its compromises for cross-platform development and its unique narrative premise of combining all three original endings.
Did You Know?
- The game's story assumes a combination of all three possible endings of the original Deus Ex took place.
- All guns in the game share the same ammunition pool, represented by a bar.
- The rock band Kidneythieves provided additional music and voice work.
- The game sold over one million copies worldwide as of 2011.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Deus Ex: Invisible War?
Deus Ex: Invisible War is a 2003 first-person action RPG and stealth game developed by Ion Storm and published by Eidos Interactive for PC and Xbox. It serves as the direct sequel to the 2000 original Deus Ex, expanding the series into a broader conspiracy narrative.
Who is the protagonist of Deus Ex: Invisible War?
The player controls Alex Danner, a former special-forces operative turned private investigator who stumbles into a global conspiracy involving rogue nanomachines. Danner is a new character distinct from JC Denton, giving the sequel a fresh perspective within the same universe.
How does Deus Ex: Invisible War's story connect to the original game?
The sequel is set roughly twenty years after the first game, in a world where all three possible outcomes of the original's Collapse occurred simultaneously. This merged-timeline setup reshapes the political landscape and drives the new conspiracy at the heart of the story.
Why is Deus Ex: Invisible War considered different from the original?
Ion Storm deliberately streamlined the original's dense progression systems to make the game feel more accessible while still preserving meaningful player choice. The narrative also shifts its thematic focus toward terrorism and corporate conspiracy rather than the augmentation-versus-humanist divide that defined the first title.
Who directed Deus Ex: Invisible War?
Harvey Smith, who had previously worked on the original Deus Ex, returned as the game's director at Ion Storm. His vision shaped the more streamlined system design and the new narrative direction of the sequel.
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