I am going to start this review by saying Deus Ex Invisible War is a solid 9.0 rating. It pulls you into a deep story and keeps you wanting to play and is has a lot of replay value, especially for a game with no multiplayer features.
The Journeys
Invisible war is not just a story of one character's journey through a post-apocalyptic world where you are simply a pawn to be played between two powers seeking total dominion. Then again, maybe you are. The fact that you don't know and don't particularly find much to like with those who require your services brings you back to your own soul searching journey, which can shift different directions from one moment to another. The choices you make effect many different outcomes and here in-lies one of Invisible Wars greatest strengths.
Save and play
Using the user controlled game-save feature, you can simply save and then try one action, reload the moment earlier and then try a different action, oftentimes with dramatic changes to the way the game plot shifts. This leads you to replaying the game over and during the first time through, if that makes any sense. They say that pulling the trigger on a gun is like releasing a thought you cannot take back. Not so here. Should I kill this guy and collect some contract money? Would he shoot me if I walked up to him and tried to talk to him? Simply save the game and then try playing it either way. Perhaps the guy or gal can offer you some help, or even an assignment. Or maybe you want to try roasting a guy with a flamethrower instead of shooting him with a shotgun, because the first time you spoke with him he pulled out a gun and told you it was his mission to rid the world of your kind, and this time you want to watch him burn (Ok – sick) but You get the idea. Hint – Always save before you gamble on a green-dragon/ gob-zilla fight at the Grease Pit. You'll pack your wallet with enough credits to make up for every ATM machine you could never hack! Of course if you have a level 3 bio-mod upgrade for your neural interface, hack every ATM you find for 600 credits each. Unfortunately, there are not enough opportunities to spend so much money, but its not just about the money, its about control.
Weapons and Gadgets
Though there is only a basic line-up of a sniper rifles pistol, shotgun, machine gun, flame-thrower and few more, the added upgrades permit you silently dissolve glass, fire EMP charges, and of course add silencers. The weapon upgrades are well thought out and unique to most other games. Over all, there seems to be an emphasis on weapons that suit stealthy tactics. There are plenty of proximity mines, gas grenades, EMP and Electronic, Frag, and Scrambling (Scrambler weapons turn hostile robots into friendly ones - temporarily). The spider-bot grenade releases a mechanical spider robot that can harass and even kill enemies with an electric shock. Drop one from an air vent to work alone or perhaps let one distract your enemies long enough to line-up your head-shots.
Customizing your character
As you have been biologically modified with special receptors that except bio modification- the areas of your body you choose to modify will also alter the game-play significantly. Do you choose to be a silent hacker, or someone with unusual strength. Perhaps you fancy the idea of being able to see through walls. These and other modifications add plenty of opportunity to replay missions in an entirely different way.
Imperfections
There are some downsides to the game. Mentioning them however should not deter you from renting a copy. These are just preparatory warnings. My personal #1 gripe is the limited controller setup. I'm a Southpaw and I "look" entirely with the left thumb stick. I expect games to allow more thumb stick options than exist in this game. The graphics are good, not great. It is also dark and you'll want to use vision enhancement nearly 24/7. I do recommend throwing a flare and turning off your vision enhancement. The dynamic lighting effects are well implemented. There is little cinema between levels and the people are all cut from too many of the same mold. This is familiar problem with huge games, but a little surprising with this one. I didn't think the areas were THAT big. The loading time between levels is too slow and probably the most annoying part of the game, however, as it loads, the story's detailed story-line is reiterated, and this is welcome as the story and its characters are important to adding depth and understanding to the game. There is almost no room for moral high ground and it is not a pleasant story. I tried to eschew killing innocents, but even triggering an alarm will bring security forces bent on killing you. Is hacking an ATM really a capital offense? Are their no prisons or jails? (hint) Its ok to hack snack and pop machines in plain view of the cops.
The interactive environment and how to use it
Interactivity with the environment was not just permitted but a well-planned necessity. Picking stuff up hidden under beds, on shelves and even in dumpsters will not only provide you with tools weapons and health, you will likely discover new entry points to hard to reach areas in a building. Use the water fountain and watch you health bar nudge up. There is loose change lying around and some interesting holographic news broadcasts, which keep you up to date on world affairs that you are involved with. This game is packed with stuff to find, and you'll need it. Ammo runs out fast and so does your health, hence, you will resort to "dumpster diving" and incapacitating (not killing necessarily) persons carrying weapons and ammo you want. Bread, soda pop, soy and candy bars an are much welcomed after a firefight. I avoided drinking and smoking but these vices are also available to try. I just expected them to take down my health. It is a wonder that no one ever sends for the police if you take money or food off shelves in plain view of the other characters.
Worth playing again, and again…
This is an engrossing story that will pull you in and keep you there because of all the choices you can make. It won't make you wonder what might have happened if you did it differently. More than likely, you will simply play it differently, over and over and over until all your wondering stops.
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