A Look Back At • Deus Ex (Analysis)

[@AesirAesthetics]

I made this video prior to making the King's Field 3 video so let's all pretend that in the end I said: King's Field 4.

[@davinsosa1438]

Got it!

[@rickimaru915]

"long leather jackets and sunglasses indoors are not cool" Well you're wrong, but I forgive you. Jokes aside the game itself has characters poke fun at the way J.C. Denton dresses, so the developers definitely knew that people might find this aesthetic a bit silly. However long coats and sunglasses continue to show up on characters in contemporary fiction in order to make them look cool

[@jamesbrincefield9879]

Albert Wesker is about the only person who can pull that look off.

[@respectfulgamer7232]

He's wearing them to conceal his creepy augmented eyes.

[@kozlorog]

@@jamesbrincefield9879 You are WRONG.

[@elliotyourarobot]

Mines cotton

[@greenhowie]

Gunther wants orange but gets lemon-lime. There are no lemon-lime sodas in the game, only orange. Is he lying to Anna for sympathy or to sow the seeds of doubt? Maybe he really DID get the last lemon-lime soda but doesn't realise how rare it is. This is clearly a commentary on lesser known media being passed over by the public due to marketing tactics, in this essay I will

[@cyberninjazero5659]

Best part is. There's an actual data log confirming that the vending machine really is busted

[@davep8221]

Maybe he's a nut bar who thinks he gets orange when no one else is there to force him into reality. I've never heard his "skul gun" line in the cathedral. *Unsigh* Now I need to play it again. Being a nut bar myself, I still have my original saves from my original playthroughs when it was released.

[@Shezmen88]

Fantastic job dude. If there was an analysis on Deus Ex I wanted to hear, it was yours!

[@greenhowie]

Love your work man, old Deus Ex parody when?

[@x.khann.x]

When they come for Paul, my brother, I decided to take him with me, so I tranqed him, grabbed his body and made it to the subway. I got busted on the other end and woke up in a cell still with Paul's unconscious body. Then I escaped and proceeded to the lab to find another Paul's dead body.. So, Austin Powers situation here, baby! minus the time travelling

[@Hello.Sailor]

If you had stayed and defended him against the Agents, he would have lived through that scene and given voice support for ensuing missions

[@Hello.Sailor]

@BrokenMikrofone I suppose that is one way to play a game. :/

[@KopfTrommel]

@BrokenMikrofone In GMDX it's a feature where Paul can physically die in the fight so I'm sure this glitch is possible in a modded game.

[@y2kboris186]

@@Hello.Sailor I always thought that was a weird bug (it is a bug right?). Anyone ever notice how if you knock out Sandra Renton using nonlethals (eg tazer or sleep darts) in NYC at the hotel, the game thinks that she's dead. Even if you knock her out her dad will still be like "Sandra ho Sandra!". So basically my pacifist playthrough means nothing, yay me lol.

[@y2kboris186]

@@Hello.Sailor It is possible to escape. It is possible to get out of Battery Park and get to Jock, but you gotta have like a shit-ton of health, and play the battlefield exactly right.

[@lpslucasps]

I literally beat the game yesterday and just found this video! Great work, your analysis was wonderful! One thing I loved about Deus Ex is how your skills and augmentations can serve multiple purposes and are useful for different playstyles. When I chose the Cloak Augmentation, I thought I basically "locked" myself into the stealth playstyle. But guess what? Being invisible is also very helpful in a fight - or, if all else fails, if you have to run away. Btw, one thing that I absolutely loved about the game but is hardly mentioned is the UI. Not only it's all diegetic (i.e.: Denton, the character, theoretically sees the same numbers and menus as you), it has some really useful features that some modern RPG should copy. The ability to create and delete notes is godsend, for instance.

[@ActionArc]

You have exactly 10 seconds to make an analysis on the Thief series before I add you to the NSF casualties list. 5 seconds. Three. One. Good video.

[@DocDoesGamingTV]

I'm so glad I found this channel, these are going to be my good night stories for the foreseeable future!

[@461Masterchief]

The old meme is right, I just started a new playthrough after watching this...

[@yittmashups]

Yes, me too. My good memories of the game have been augmented.

[@visitor5451]

been replaying Deus Ex and it's really a game that is better than the sum of its parts. the shooting is jank, the stealth pales in comparison to Thief, yet I still play it for 4 unbroken hours, fixated on the monitor.

[@danhectic5629]

so true. i played for 30 hours & stopped... can't decide if i even liked it or not- but i want to play more really bad! (won't allow myself to play anything i'm not sure if i love lately)

[@kozlorog]

4 hours? Pathetic.

[@baldsportsfan9368]

@@danhectic5629you played 30 hours and you couldn’t tell if you liked the game or not?

[@danhectic5629]

@@baldsportsfan9368 after thinking about it for 2 years... i liked it. the shooting & stealth take-downs are screwed, but there's so much more to it. i DO have to crank the brightness all the way up, then connect my laptop to my TV and crank THAT brightness just to kind of see in most levels though...

[@TwistedScarlett60]

One of my favourite games, it's always awesome to see someone analyse it because everyone takes away something a little different from Deus Ex

[@mdogg094]

I think your videos have improved ever since your Silent Hill 2 commentary, where you seem to incorporate your sense of humor more.

[@HelloTardis]

I am SO READY for this one!!! Thank you for every sliver of content you produce:)

[@existenceisrelative]

Well, it's official. This channel has become an immediate-click when i see a new video.

[@Squiddy0912]

I had a very strange dream related to Deus Ex the night before, and now I find your channel. ‘Twas meant to be

[@lulairenoroub3869]

It was nice to hear the actual explanation of the term Deus Ex Machina. Most people don't seem to really get it. They understand the spooky scifi modern understanding of like, the singularity, AI type stuff, and they understand the tropey plot understanding of, magicking your way out of a plot problem, but they don't seem to understand how those two idea connect Specifically, it's from the ancient Greek practice of building a mechanical device that would bring a God into a play to have some kind of effect on the story. So the machine bit never really had the meaning back then that it does now. It was literally just a physical mechanism for bringing a character in to a play in an interesting way. If they wanted them to glide gently in on a rail, they could have called it Deus Ex Dolly. It's only after we started thinking about machines themselves as being Godlike that the term started to take on a much darker, creepier meaning. If feel like that's something that people don't really discuss when they talk about the term, but I dunno, I think it's interesting.

[@albertbernicker1486]

Man i love your videos because you know the difference of facts and opinions, and for sure you know how hard is to make a game. If you have time to check out there is a old game that i always found to be a forgotten piece of art (specially the music). Silver (1999), developed by Spiral House, published by Infogrames for Pc(best version) and Dreamcast. Few people have played and the reviewers at the time didn't made it justice, at that time magazines already were doing the 'pay for review thing' sadly. And keep up on the videos man, as a indie dev and player i deeply appreciate your content! ^^

[@southparkking2]

I am a person who was barely 6 when this game was made, having a big in depth look at the history in gaming I missed is good from a cool creator like you. Thanks for the work and effort. You do amazing work overall.

[@adriannaranjo4397]

"Why are you locked in the bathroom?"

[@WEndro333]

"You talking to me?"

[@adriannaranjo4397]

"Maybe you should try getting a job"

[@WEndro333]

@@adriannaranjo4397 "Okay, where?"

[@adriannaranjo4397]

"Majestic 12"

[@WEndro333]

@@adriannaranjo4397 "Maybe you should join Majestic 12... In a bodybag."

[@tiagogoncalves3985]

Ooooooh maaaaan, you really make me want to give Deus Ex another try haha great video as always! I'll look forward to King's Field 4 and maybe even more of Deus Ex

[@Shaljroan30750]

Thank you for uploading this. You're a great youtuber, i appreciate you.

[@Browsley]

Oh my! Haven't watched this yet. Gonna save this for when I come home from vacay! Looking forward to it!

[@chillhour6155]

Romero signing Spector that blank check completely obsolved the dumpster fire that was Daikatana in my and many other gamer's eyes

[@StiffAftermath]

Aesir, you are my favourite retro respective KZbinr bar none. Thank you for your tireless work. It is a true joy to whip up a coffee and spend quality time with your content.

[@AesirAesthetics]

I appreciate it greatly :D

[@tlozfreak888]

I'm annoyed i only just had this pop up in recommended. 21 hours ago? Come on youtube

[@-jobrocodwawz-6226]

Absolutely love these videos bro, stellar job! Amazing depth and insight

[@b.d.1112]

Thanks man, I was excited to watch this. I’d be interested to watch a video by you on the newer ones, which I also love. I think the theme of transhumanism is a more worked into the overall story in the newer games but I still don’t see it worked into the gameplay like let’s say Shadowrun. I enjoy the in-depth character stat customization that the original DX gives but also enjoy the atmosphere and story telling of the newer ones. Anyways, thanks again for the video.

[@Dave-um7mw]

"Deus EX is System Shock 3." Damn, now I have to somehow find the time to play it.

[@Dave-um7mw]

Actually now that I think about it, wouldn't Bioshock be System Shock 3?

[@nifftbatuff676]

@@Dave-um7mw Bioshock is the anti-System Shock.

[@Dave-um7mw]

@@nifftbatuff676 how is Bioshock the anti-system shock?

[@Dave-um7mw]

@Withnail honestly, I never played it. 😔

[@Dave-um7mw]

@Irritable Down syndrome well, sometimes that can be a good thing. I know Elder Scrolls dumbed Skyrim down from Oblivion and that made it easier for newer and more casual players to get into.

[@madcat789]

This was an excellent video to have watched. Good job Aesir

[@AesirAesthetics]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@mdogg094]

Just got into your channel because you offer great insight into pretty much all my favorite games, and then you post yet another one. I love it

[@AesirAesthetics]

Welcome aboard!

[@wolfsk1n]

Is it weird that videos like this, which I find very interesting and well crafted, to be the best videos to listen to in the evening when trying to fall asleep quickly? Somehow it sends me right off to sleep, but if I put on some more mundane video I don't get tiered at all :O

[@civilwarfare101]

I loved this game when I played back in 2016 and I appreciate how it's mostly unrivaled in how you solved problems but I can't help to find a lot of issues with it mechanically. You could argue it's a part of it's charm but I feel it could handle combat and stealth a lot better. It's probably one of the most ambitious games ever made but I feel while the prequels have waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay worse writing, but they do play a lot better even if they are more along the lines of action games with rpg elements than full on rpgs. I would love a remake of this game in the right hands but something tells me if they did do that, they would fuck it all up. And I know for a fact that Edios Montreal would shove in the retcons the prequel games established.

[@mikeisapro]

Honestly I prefer the gameplay of the original over HR, haven't played MD or others because of how much I hated the feel of HR.

[@martindellasala5100]

dude i feel ya... a remake that woluld be soooooo epic

[@civilwarfare101]

@@mikeisapro DE1 was jank beyond belief. The stealth was a poor man's Thief. HR at least did cover based stealth competently.

[@civilwarfare101]

@@martindellasala5100 It would be but not by Edios Montreal.

[@mikeisapro]

@@civilwarfare101 doesn't matter, it was a much better game.

[@davep8221]

I have to wonder what Deus Ex would've been like if it was made under the thumb of a profit only company like EA. I think it would've been far from the masterpiece that it is. John Romero deserves a lot of credit with his "blank check" support. After years of talking about the gameplay, I realized a while back that it was the story that set it apart. The gameplay was a huge factor, but it has been surpassed in most other 451 games, but the stories almost seem secondary. Their "play it your way" styles are basically becoming standard {stealth/shootin'/hacking and various permutations}, but with mini-games vs resources. Incremental. On a slightly higher level, the choices mostly come down to going left or right and join up after each stage and there isn't much that can make a difference later in the game. IMO, the game that does that the best is the ME series where things from the first game actually affect later games, even if on a small level, like war assets in ME3. Not much in the overall game play choices. The morality system in the Dishonoreds definitely make some choices absolutely wrong. Another long discussion. Plus, for some reason, all of the other ImmSims are too depressing. I do need to criticize the use of the terms pilfered and stolen about sources, unless they're used tongue in cheek. Nothing evolves in a vacuum. 10^6 upvotes if possible. Off to your next vid.

[@colombotron19]

Good job man, I love hearing your analysis!

[@alexbaldwin4460]

The KZbin algorithm seems to be haywire again. I was waiting for this for weeks but it never appeared in my feed of recommendations when it came out. But a similar review from someone I’ve watched once was placed top of the list.

[@AesirAesthetics]

huh

[@empty5013]

You say no game has ever tried to do what Deus Ex did, but what about Prey? Prey to me really felt like a proper sequel to SS and Deus Ex in a real way. Perhaps the philosophical scope is a little smaller than Deus Ex's attempt to open a dialogue on the nature of man, but in terms of gameplay scope and following the design principles of an immersive sim Prey really iterated in my book. Some interesting games you may or may not have played that I think engage with the philosophy of immersive sims while not actually being immersive sims are (specifically) the original Xcom, which gives the player a set of tools greater than simple guns and soldiers to accomplish a goal, research, base management, aircraft interception and mechanics like in-combat inventory and interaction are all there and result in some interesting gameplay and alternative strategies, but weren't evolved enough yet at the time to offer real player choice, still it's an interesting hallmark of the beginning of what could have been, and the modern Xcoms are significantly more limited and gamey rather than simulations. That's fine for some people but it's definitely ripped out an important part of Xcom for me and is why I don't really enjoy playing the modern interpretation. Another game you might be interested in is The Outer Wilds which kind of front ends the players capabilities in a way you passingly mention. While you have no customisation, the game is a roleplaying game in the sense that you roleplay as an astronaut, the only things that change as you progress through the game is your knowledge of the world and the mechanical skill you have as a pilot and a spacewalker. Your tools at the beginning are never augmented or increased, and the emphasis on a universe governed by rules rather than gameplay design means understanding how the universe works and how to leverage that gives you the ability to solve problems and explore deeper. Neither are immersive sims when you define the genre as 'something like System Shock or Deus Ex', but I think both are entwined in the design philosophy of an immersive sim, these games don't present to you a puzzle to solve, but present a series of rules, known and unknown and a problem, that the player must overcome. Sounds familiar right? Personally I'm trying to explore the design space of Xcom that was tossed asside for the modern reboot in a game I'm working on in my spare time, I think there's some real depth there. In some ways that evolution was followed up by Rimworld and Dwarf Fortress, turning an RTS formula into an immersive sim.

[@snakeshepard9761]

I played Deus Ex after finishing HR back in 2011, and I was surprised I had never heard of the series. I loved how basically the gameplay was the same but with old graphics. I prefer the prequels because I like the gameplay more (every mechanic and design choice has been improved + side quests are great) and the augmentations are leagues better, in DX1 I barely need them and most of them have a questionable effectiveness at best. Then there's that stupid thing when they let you use your weapons in areas with unkillable characters...pretty dumb. Maybe the biggest flaws of the prequels gameplay is the pin point accuracy of the aim (letting people play it as a dumb fps), or the AI that isn't very good (not that there are actually good AIs on the level DX needs going around at the moment), probably the thing I like less is the design of bosses (I love ripping into pieces bosses with a single grenade instead of having MGS-styled boss fights, but DX1 isn't very consistent about it since Gunther should've been heavily nerfed). I loved how the prequels built over what the original achieved, and I appreciate how they went for smaller (since if you want a graphically pleasing game nowadays you can't have 10 huge maps) but meaningful stories instead of coming up with bigger and bigger conspiracies (like MGS4 and Resident Evil 6). And on narrative, I feel like DX is better at monologues, while HR and MD are better at conversations. Only because I like the prequels more it doesn't mean I don't like DX (but I enjoyed more my first than my 2nd run), all the conspiracies and what comments on are still interesting and relevant and the gameplay is good, but mid through it loses some of the edge, the enemies aren't that interesting to fight against and the rewards aren't that great most of the times.

[@hennyzhi2261]

Your analysis makes me hope you do a video on Human Revolution sometime in the future. I think it actually manages to merge the themes and gameplay ludonaratively better than the original because the augments are at the center of the story. Even if on the surface Adam Jensen loathing his implants is ridiculous to the player having seen how this typically never comes with downsides the fact that he has no choice in the matter of this, and other things, actually does in a way make a point about augmentation (especially for one of the multiple endings to that game).

[@alewis514]

The balance of skills and augs in the base, unmodified version of the game is all over the place. We have skills and augs that are damn nearly useless (Swimming, Aqualung) and on the other end we have stuff that is hilariously overpowered (Health Regeneration aug, healing 40 damage points per second at max level). System Shock 2 also kinda suffered from this but to a lesser extent. I recommend playing with GMDX v9 modification. It improves graphics, sound design, the AI and balance while preserving the original game design and feel. Regeneration is nerfed by 75 percent in this mod (20 hp every 2 sec opposed to 40 every sec) and it's still one of the best augs in the game. Original regeneration is that crazy.

[@kirillheart4158]

Blya, good job, Denton!

[@niwm]

I can't decide what I'd rather see you do a video of, Thief: The Dark Project or Pathologic/Pathologic 2. Anyhow, great analysis! :)

[@AesirAesthetics]

Thief is coming in the end of August.

[@cubablue602]

Deus Ex is the gold standard for how the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts.

[@nmesa1798]

Not enough Alex Jones and alt-right references, but still very good review.

[@MILDMONSTER1234]

Which is funny considering this game was considering left leaning back in the day

[@gurchemb]

@@MILDMONSTER1234 mind giving me an example?

[@mikeisapro]

@@gurchemb the eternal question: was Deus Ex right or left wing. I've seen people claim both several times. I personally think that the game is a work of art and draws on many different ideas, and can be viewed from either a left or right wing perspective, if one must confine the whole thing to such a limiting dichotomous framework.

[@blumiu2426]

Someone is wearing blinders if you view it that way. You realize Alex Jones is proving correct on much of his "consipracies" in the last few years, right? These things have always been around and Deus Ex pointed them out regardless of leaning. That's because a lot of this is based on "hidden in plain sight", truths no one believes until it happens or even while because they've been conditioned to not believe in them even with proof.

[@TheEvilShepard]

Good video, really enjoyed it :)

[@mortimer1992]

Great vid as always!

[@AesirAesthetics]

Appreciate that

[@jonathanallison6270]

Do Metal Gear Solid 2,3,and 4 P.S Just found your channel already subscribed

Ohhhhh yessssssssssss thank you thank you

[@ailiop1]

a well made video for an equaly awesome game

[@Planetdune]

In the vent situation, just eat all those candybars you sure have been amassing by now :)

[@AesirAesthetics]

I'm to orderly to carry those :(

[@JuliusCaesar103]

Great video.

[@AesirAesthetics]

💪

[@ChickenFingers42]

Sunglasses inside are cool when your vision is augmented.

[@bobincognito]

Hey aesir i'm still at the beginning of the video but i wanted to tell you that i love you

[@AesirAesthetics]

I love you too.

[@veyselonair6948]

Great video!

[@AesirAesthetics]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@troo_6656]

It might just be me, but the way you described the "good" and "bad" endings, just made me think the exact opposite. But it is probably just me, since I have kind of Kreia attitude when it comes to God.

[@animapoopyxd4995]

POG

[@arkaei]

they did break rule 4 with the first Hermann encounter which is the definition of forced failure. in other words: it gave me OHRÄNGE. I vanted LEMÖN LEYEM. it’s ze mäintenänce män. he knows I leyek OHRÄNGE.

[@SvenStoffels]

mullets are commin back tho bro

[@AesirAesthetics]

If it died, it's dead. Things dont come back for long.

[@jamesbrincefield9879]

Your description of the plot sounds eerily familiar 🧐

[@AesirAesthetics]

hmmmmm

[@flyingsquid6062]

Thief 4 broke the 10th commandment, more than anything else I believe that’s what caused all the hate. Heartbreaking, the game had a lot of potential.

[@lulairenoroub3869]

@47:00 How can you make a lateral step down?

BGM is kinda loud for this video so it is kinda hurt my ears when listening on phone. Otherwise nice video

[@joelevers4821]

Welp, time for another run of the series

[@sadjuliy9469]

17:11 WHAT?! I thought it was a joke!

[@goldchalice]

Stick with the prod

[@elbarto6668]

Nice

[@AesirAesthetics]

Thanks

[@adriannaranjo4397]

*JC Denton ... three years old ... no residence ... no fame ... no knowledge ... no judgement ... no imagination ... no--*

[@s2korpionic]

Something tells me if this game got made and released today, there would be a pushback. Games critical on the status and development on society for some reason has a negative connotation attached to it e.g. Last Night.

[@elbarto6668]

Danke

[@ursoanonimo8398]

34:05 PLOT TWIST

[@forevergimmly7343]

Did Deus Ex show us the future once again? is Gray Death the code for Corona? is JC Denton the code name for Anti - SJW Nextime in Ion Storm we will know more, roll the outro!

[@sadjuliy9469]

15:43 You understimate X-files, they already have adventures with as much action and shooting as James Bond XDDD

[@anotherdudebeingabro]

I remember a distinct moment with a friend that juxtaposed how the game changes based on player decisions. Spoilers: When I played, I didn't think you could save Paul but I did discover the bomb on the helicopter, saving Jock. My friend had the opposite experience; saving Paul but losing Jock. Both of us were shocked when we shared our two very different experiences with no hint that the other was possible.

[@MrSamadolfo]

🤔 i still need to play it, its in my GOG Library

[@chillhour6155]

You have the envy of all of those who have

[@audiovideo-w6o]

Mullets are coming back tho

[@AesirAesthetics]

Things that die dont come back for long

[@audiovideo-w6o]

@@AesirAesthetics Truuu

[@jjcoola998]

AesirAesthetics based and mulletpilled

[@phantomjoker5]

oooooh

[@uuuibeubeo]

mullets and parachute pants are actually very "in" fyi

[@chillhour6155]

I wonder how the ambr.. Corona vaccine is going

[@lawrenceyancy3364]

Is grabbing a cup of tea okay as well? Lol

[@crutherfordmusic]

Better to serve in heaven than reign in hell. Mat_16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

[@JohnSmith-qh4mi]

1:08:16 uhh you sure about that

[@AesirAesthetics]

lol, that didn't age well

[@JohnSmith-qh4mi]

@@AesirAesthetics lol

[@JohnSmith-qh4mi]

@@AesirAesthetics Good video though, I play Deus Ex yearly. Maybe one day we’ll get a remaster. I have no idea how they would do that, but I’d like to see them try.

[@bmardiney]

Boy, aren’t we learning that people need religion these days (the woke cult is the plague we get without god). And I’m an atheist.

[@lvlwowable]

Algorithm

[@chomskyan4life]

If you play "games", and you are more than 5 years old.... well, I feel sorry for you. Come back when you are smart enough to talk Tarski or Montague! A conclusion only made inevitable by the awful poor understanding of Voltaire... Read Chomsky... or Zinn... or Edward Said.... but then, you like "video games".... as is to be expected from "video game" lovers...

[@AesirAesthetics]

Imagine being you though, that's the real sorrow.

[@Bloodyshinta1]

you roasting the game's aesthetics but you can't even pronounce the word correctly smfh

[@Bloodyshinta1]

man i usually dig your video's but you sound like such a smarmy little prick in this one, yo ok dude?

[@AesirAesthetics]

Don't know what to tell you.

[@mellowvalentine9354]

@@AesirAesthetics I love your responses.

[@prowaractivist6220]

Do you support TND?

[@AesirAesthetics]

dunno what that is

[@blumiu2426]

Umm, Adam Jensen made sunglasses and trenchcoats great again