DF Retro: Deus Ex is A PC Classic - But What About PlayStation 2?

This week on DF Retro, John takes a look back one of the greatest PC games of all time - Deus Ex. Then we jump over and examine its port on PlayStation 2 - a port which should never have worked out but somehow manages to play very well. We finish it all up with some mod recommendations so be sure to stick around till the end.
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Footage at 2:53 found on Boston2George's channel at • GameStar Ausgabe 08/99...

[@rumcajs009]

F... sake... Every time I see some info about this game, I need to re-install it and play again... thanks mate

[@KnightOfZero00]

@vospominanie So that he can reinstall it, fulfilling the Law of Deus Ex: When someone mentions Deus Ex, someone else will reinstall it.

[@aidenton1172]

Try with GMDX mod version 8 or above

[@CaveyMoth]

Why uninstall it? Let it grow out of control. Let all the gaming memories pile up in the streets.

[@jeppaperdak7318]

*pile up in your mind

[@TheDistantman]

Facts!!! Idk whether to play the OG version or Revision

[@ratrogue]

I hate when people claim Warren Spector was behind Thief. He's listed in the "Thanks" section of the credits, and was more of an advisor, but not the designer or producer.

[@zaki6146]

he literally did a talk about how he hates that people name a single creator for video games despite being a team effort

[@luminosity01]

@@zaki6146 We need more people like him in game dev...

[@Rizimar]

8:03 is where he actually starts talking about the PS2 version

[@rd-ub2ox]

modern day hero, i wish i saw this comment before watching the first 8 minutes

[@whatamidoingwithmylife4108]

Thanks

[@justanotheryoutubechannel]

@@rd-ub2ox I disagree, it’s fascinating to see it all. It’s a great video. It was never meant to be just PS2, it’s a retrospective of the tech in both.

[@sev2300]

Man I love these retro revisits. They're so informational in that they give a rich background of old franchises. Keep up the good work John.

[@EposVox]

Another great episode, John!

[@skajme]

Absolutely loved this on PS2 back in the day

[@leehyatt76]

These DF Retro videos are some of my favorite on the internet. Thank you so much!

[@1300l]

I wish they added the PS2 models and animations to revision

[@omegarugal9283]

not easy, the PS2 version is completly diferent under the hood, the original Deus Ex engine didnt allow for any of these unless someone really commits to add these features

[@lemonov3031]

revision sucks balls

[@napaceHbIK]

0:43 - real mirrors, 5:10 - detailed textures... I wonder why even modern games rarely have this. Playing Mankind Divided on PS4 and the textures look blurry up close, and the mirrors are some gray shiny squares with no real reflections. Ofc Deus Ex games are not about textures pixel counting, but nevertheless.

[@Oddsors]

MD probably made sacrifices on texture detail to add more geometry to the scene, which I honestly think is for the best. The environment design was amazing.

[@brunocar02]

well, the texture problem on mankind divided is easy to fix, play on pc

[@Kevb0ardGames]

Ya I hate how reflections are done in modern games, rarely are there functioning mirrors, and reflections in general are done with screenspace reflections which look ugly as fuck and are always plagued by artifacts due to missing information.

[@napaceHbIK]

Oddsors No. As KeyboardArts said, it's a common problem for many modern games. And it is very surprising that they could easily do it 16 years ago, on the hardware that is an absolute potato these days, but they rarely do it now.

[@cacomeat7385]

If someone combined both of those features with modern lighting and shadow capabilities we could have a graphical experience that no other game could match. Fallout 4 had shitty textures and there weren't even working reflections on mirrors if I'm not mistaken, but the lighting and shadow work were magnificent. why can't we have it all in modern games?

[@s.sradon9782]

The first time i played deus ex was on ps2 when i was 8. The level design is so good that i still remember every little aspect of the game. Replaying it 7 years later was like a family reunion. Deus ex became a part of me and was what really got me into video games, it is needless to say that i love it though i hate the latest games of the series.

[@matricious]

more or less the same story with me, only on pc. Got the ps2 version running on ps3, like the tweaks so far... Have similar gripes with the newer releases (haven't played latest one). I found Metal Gear 3 and Hitman Blood money fill this niche rather nicely (although I am DYING to play Prey). What games do you recommend?

[@s.sradon9782]

@@matricious personally I cannot find a deus ex like game more similar than system shock 2 or bioshock, though those are far from deus ex. I can recommend many games that derive aspects of deus ex and further refine them though. e.y.e expands on some of the ridiculous builds you can create in the game, disco elysium revolves heavily around the dialogue aspect and whoever you write your character as. It does this better than any other game so far. starsector relies on the exploitation of it's own systems in order to profit and gain power e.g you can arm space terrorists so they destabilize a colony and then sell goods at a great markup to said colony. if you want to play prey, then you could always try the classic first as it is abandonware and therefore free and it's also a linux game, which I approve. note that the 2 prey games are very different and prey 201x would've been better if it was called anything but prey (they are both mind games though). starsector cannot be found on steam, you'll have to go to their website, it costs £15.

[@Kharnivore2099]

Great video. Really loving these retro episodes, especially when comparing the PC versions to the console ports.

[@spartan239]

You do such a fantastic job with this series. Excellent research and presentation. Keep up the good work!

[@MYTMIC]

I've only played the PS2 version, must admit in all the years I've owned the game I only finished it for the first time last night! Chose the illuminati ending

[@thelastps2gamer176]

congratulation

[@goldgamer6796]

I finished last night too, Helios Ending

[@JoshSTATiX]

Man I'm loving these DF Retro videos, very analytical and a fun time looking back at old games too. I'm always looking forward to these!

[@beetheimmortal]

I have to give props to Michiel van den Bos and Alexander Brandon. Their OST for this game (and all the others too) is legendary.

[@BRANDNAMEHERE2023]

Thank you so much for this! My first experience with this game was the PS2 version and while I know it hasn't aged well its a huge part of my child hood and key part of what would form my taste in video games.

[@hannibalcase1100]

It amazes me to no end that nobody has modded those gorgeous pre-rendered cutscenes into the PC version.

[@whywhyman]

can't wait for the next week's episode! Thank you so much team DF xD

[@zanychelly]

really cool series, keep it coming. dont need to be every week but with some regularity

[@LucasRazorBlade]

The "recent" videos you have been posting, with commentary have all been very enjoyable. :D

[@Skullkan6]

Honest to god, the auto aim in the PS2 version improves Deus Ex's combat tenfold. Somehow it just WORKS with the time based aiming.

[@CaveyMoth]

IT JUST WORKS. I like staring at the enemy while the reticle shrinks down.

[@rynomuncher]

Absolutely fantastic work John! I'm making my way through Mankind Divided right now and loving it.

[@jimbo2revengeance]

Oh boy, this was such a fun video! The original Deus Ex was actually the game that made me buy a 3d accelerator card. I always heard how cool the game was, and being me, I was really close-minded and dismissed it as some new fad that will go away after some time. But boy was I wrong. When I got my first taste of it at my Dad's house (of all places), I was sure I need it in my life. Thanks for the cool analysis, I will have to play the game again now, that's the rule, so see ya in a day or two...

[@trevormills3339]

The PS2 version is actually really good imo. It's the only way I've played the game but it totally blew me away, I only played it for the first time a few months ago. There is nothing else like it on PS2. It's like the closest thing to Skyrim or Elder Scrolls in that era.

[@thelastps2gamer176]

thought so too

[@adamfrisk956]

The framerate is what's kills it at times.

[@pistachiodisguisey911]

Bob Miller well elder scrolls morrowind was on the Xbox back then lol but otherwise ur right

[@NotHarpoGroucho]

Jimmy The Loot Yeah but no one had an Xbox, at least compared to the Ps2 which sold like 10x as much systems. I think I was literally the only person in my school with an Xbox. But I also owned a ps2 and that’s what I played the most. Honestly I was always confused with why Bethesda releases things for xbox first and only released games on xbox original instead of ps2. But after they made the minuteman and a load of other American references I guess it was because they’re just patriots deep down and like supporting the only American console.

[@Pesmerga87]

I just love df retro :D I enjoyed deus ex a lot, played it on pc and it was amazing, I remember getting it quite late, for just 1€ on the gfwl service, immediately fell in love with it. The way you can interact with bosses, choosing to go lethal or making them self destruct, it was just amazing :)

[@Xpert74]

Thank you for another amazing DF Retro video! I should really play the Deus Ex series at some point, lol. I played System Shock late last year and liked it a lot, and this looks pleasantly similar.

[@GeordiLaForgery]

DF really hit the nail on the head with this series. Love it.

[@is5000]

So far DF Retro have become my favorite show on DigitalFoundry.

[@invisibleevidence1970]

I can't wait for the next episode , DF became one of my favourite , big reason is the DF Retro videos .

[@DariusMakesContent]

Where has this channel been all my life.... you covered most my favorite fps games in depth... this is my first video from you but I will watch all the retro fps reviews you got happy to see that you even covered Halo CE

[@MrYukawa]

Just played through DX on PCSX2 using the 60 fps patch and upscaled graphics. This port is godsend for those of us who wants to play the game on a TV with a controller.

[@ElliottTrout]

and for those of us who want to play it on our ROG Ally! lol

[@dwaynehawkins]

What a cool video and channel this is. Really enjoying a lot of DF's content. Also, I just love deus ex and the new game. This channel should be over 1.000.000 subs ... but it will happen

[@JoeDouglas]

Brilliant video! Deus Ex has been my favourite all time game since its release in 2000. I picked it up day of release for PC and have completed it SO many times I know the game inside out, it's like an old friend. I never had a PS2 so never played that version so this was really interesting to see. It looks like the Ps2 version also had alternate animations for enemy deaths; I saw one NSF agent in the video fall to his knees and crumple when dying rather than just go still and fall like on PC. I'm gonna have to hunt down that PS2 intro though, it looks really cool. I replayed the game earlier this year actually with the Revisited mod and I have to say I really enjoyed it. Having gone through the game so many times I found the new additions to the game maps really fun and I really enjoyed the graphical improvements too.

[@giorgiomauro3650]

Awesome, I love DF Retro! Thank you!! 😀

[@TopCarsTV]

Every time Deus Ex is mentioned, someone reinstalls it again. - internet wisdom

[@_J2C]

Can't get enough of this series. I hope the N64 port of RE2 and the various ports of RE4 will be featured!

[@AlphaladZXA]

Did it

[@AnotherBeerMovie]

Deus Ex on PS2 was a blast. Period.

[@satellite964]

As a 90s kid I love these DF Retro vids!

[@SamButler22]

That was super fascinating. First time I played Deus Ex was on PS2 and so long ago, but every other playthrough since has been on PC

[@WH250398]

Resident Evil 2 on n64!

[@bittersweetjesus]

Great suggestion

[@8bitDNA]

FUCK YES

[@DavidTheReaper]

Yes please.

[@eduardoleiva4959]

A 2 disc game on a 64mb cartridge is asesore technical achievement.

[@starschwar]

Two cds to cartridge - with voices and FMV (more or less) intact *and* features added. What a marvel.

[@AB-ub9nd]

The skybox could be placed in a box filed with 3D objects, that’s how you had those amazing long draw distances in the Versalife level.

[@cenobite4687]

I first played the PS2 Version. Then the PC. Still love the PS2 Version. 👌

[@esotericmissionary]

I'm still waiting for that _Deus Ex: Invisible War_ episode, John. 😒

[@CharcharoExplorer]

Excellent video. Now do one for STALKER. The A-Life deserves it!

[@LinkTheSkyper]

cheeki breeki

[@bamster64]

It would be awesome to see DF analyze the X-Ray engine, but I don't know if the STALKER series is old enough to be considered retro.

[@Vsevolod3788]

how is this "retro"? lol

[@makarevych]

@@Vsevolod3788 12 years

[@Vsevolod3788]

@@makarevych 2007 - для меня не ретро. У меня ретро начинается где-то 1997 и ниже. Для тех, кто в 00-х родился, может быть и ретро.

[@hauntedhotdog]

I didn't have a pc when Deus Ex came out, so the ps2 version is what I played first. It absolutely blew my mind. It's not the optimal way to play today, but it was plenty good on release.

[@InputArchive]

I would love to see an episode on some of the 7th gen titles that got ported to PS2 (but not Wii as that was usually the target platform) such as Test Drive Unlimited and Mercenaries 2!

[@toothlessdavid]

My PS2 was how I played Deus Ex, Half-Life, & Red Faction. Best console ever??????????? Yes. The answer is yes.

[@rafraf2490]

I really enjoy df retro and in general df channel content, you could also talk more about studios in general their history etc like id software and others thanks!

[@Pruflas-Watts]

why don't developers layer textures like they used to? it was really impressive and made textures look extremely nice up close. it's definitely needed in FPS games. They make high resolution texture packs of low quality art work which taxes the VRAM, but when you view many of today's textures up close, they look very poor in detail. The texture layering you see in games like older Halo games, Unreal Tournament 2004 and UT3, they make the textures look extremely detailed by the layering tricks they use and it looks way more impressive as a result.

[@CaveyMoth]

Modern textures always look like some kind of oil painting, especially when viewed up close. It's kind of a shame. =\

[@beetheimmortal]

UT3 still looks really amazing today (aside from the bloom that's so characteristic of the era)

[@russmawson6744]

I had PS2 version. took me a while to get into it but then ended up loving it. playing mankind divided now and think it's brilliant. love looking around for secret ways into the mission area.

[@dagam]

That Megarace reference at 16:00 , I still remember those FMV.

[@Kperson123]

This was a really good video thanks.

[@Pan_Z]

Injecting Direct3D10 into the game with Transcendent (a mod which is mostly bug fixes) is a very pure way to play Deus Ex on modern systems. Other mods change so much that they're really their own thing.

[@hmbrz]

last time I played the game I used the DX10 renderer + higher quality textures and that's it, it was pretty good, but those mods look interesting, and I kind of want to play the PS2 version, great video as usual.

[@brunocar02]

if you want the purest experience try playing with human renovation, its a bigfix mod with a couple few quality of life improvments, such as the picking up bodies feature working properly

[@TheVanillatech]

I finished DX a few months ago as well, with the DX10 extensions from New Vision. It's best player vanilla on Realistic setting on 1080p. Why the fuck he (DF) is talking about the PS2 version is beyond me. If there was ever a PC only game which symbolizes what the PC gaming world is all about, it is Spectors Deus Ex. But hey ... whatever! XD

[@brunocar02]

TheVanillatech well, the whole point was to point out how a noble atempt (and a much better attempt than DX2) to bring deus ex to console, on a console that clearly couldnt handle it

[@TheVanillatech]

brunocar Deus Ex 2 was made FOR the consoles, not the PC. Hence the GUI, the inventory system, the ridiculous dumbing down and the small closed space style of design. Weapons used the same fucking ammo type, for fucks sake. While the PS2 port may have been a noble attempt (and semi successful given the task) to bring DX to the consoles, it was a flop simply because of the type of game. The depth and breadth of the game doesn't fit into "casual gaming". Hence the hilariously bad (but certainly more casual) sequel, which was made for consoles and ported to the PC. The biggest let down in gaming history. As was stated in this comments section though (and a million times before), it was the end of progressive gaming when all this shit came to be. DX, the most forward thinking and groundbreaking game of all time. To Deus Ex 2...... Consoles. Fucked gaming up forever. Consoles maybe not ... they were just the tool. Corporations buying out the gaming Industry and milking it dry for the casual masses to give them money is what fucked it. Consoles ... just the tool.

[@brunocar02]

TheVanillatech ok as an exclusively pc gamer, i can tell you you are going a little too far, specially when talking about older consoles

[@TheYired]

Excellent video. Deus Ex is one of my favorite games

[@TheDarkenedRose]

Oh my gosh, I would love to see a DF Retro on the System Shock series! There's going to be a remake coming out for the original game too! :D

[@superbikeaborad]

Three DF videos in a day? My God what a Sunday :)

[@DethThrasher1]

and no work tomorrow! result

[@DaisyAma488]

I would love a full video on just the mods for this game.

[@harlockmbb]

Please do a Wing Commander series. It would be very cool to know how the 3D and movies from 3, 4 and 5 analyzed.

[@B1tterAndThenSome]

Off topic, but I'd like to see a DF retro feature on the MS-DOS game Stunts. That game was way ahead of it's time.

[@plaguedoctor3782]

One thing I took away from this video: The GEP Gun takedown is always the most silent way to eliminate Manderly.

[@CaveyMoth]

I accidentally used the GEP Gun to take down Navarre, and was pleased with the result, so I went with it.

[@Greenalink]

Classic Tomb Raider Series First game: PC vs PS1 vs Saturn Last Revelation/Chronicles: PC vs PS1 vs Dreamcast

[@1111Tactical]

My dad got this on his gaming PC when I was ten. 2 days later I had to go visit my family across the country for 3 weeks. MY Aunt bought me a PS2 version (I brought my PS2) and was so pissed I was stuck playing it for the first 3 weeks of release after playing my dad's much faster PC version on a mouse and keyboard.

[@kummakummakummakummakummac8606]

At least you got to play it instead of having nothing to play for 3 weeks. 3 weeks of waiting as a kid is like 3 years as a adult.

[@lettmons]

I love the PS2 version, I discovered it in 2012. the fps is choppy in some areas but controls and interface are so good, I can't go back to kb and mouse in the PC version no matter how graphically improved the mods make it.

[@bionicmanspeedruns]

what

[@omegarugal9283]

i played this on my old Pentium II PC soo much while in colleague, that i spent a whole weeekend playing non stop... i miss those days

[@stickemup1275]

If it wasn't for the Ps2 Port I would have never played Deus ex

[@Vintezo]

My favouritve youtube series ever!

[@retropirate1]

I'm so gonna buy the ps2 version.

[@itsgood2slide]

My comment was so persuasive it was included twice (top left and top right)!

[@tatsumaru12345]

I saw a picachu during the surprise question mark at the end!?! Pokemon next week perhaps?

[@dncewzrd]

I'm really enjoying this series, are there any others similar to DF retro, where they just analyze retro games?

[@derikguimaraes]

Nice start! Also, can't wait for Pokémon.

[@HykCraft]

That Deus Ex soundtrack is still amazing today!

[@swampthing94]

B-b-but Jon, you said to me Shenmue 2 retrospective would come out summer 2016. Next sunday it'll already be September. *cue sad violin*

[@swampthing94]

John*

[@dark1x]

Ah man, you're right. I'm having a difficult time getting that one done but I might work more on it this week.

[@swampthing94]

John Linneman Ok, thanks for the info! Looking forward to next week's surprise episode

[@mjc0961]

You do realize it's still summer until September 22nd, right?

[@swampthing94]

***** Not here in Finland. In here summer is from 1st of June until the Night of the Ancient Lights which is on the last weekend of August. So technically it isn't summer for me. Where are you from and what signifigance does September 22nd have there if I may ask?

[@UponDemise666]

Warren Spector and the divine creation of the immersive sim genre is single-handedly one of the most crucially important moments in the history of gaming. The Immersive Simulation is truly the master-race of game genres and will not be doing anything except getting better & better... thank the gods for Warren Spector, Looking Glass Studios, Ion Storm & all the heroes who put it all together & kept the ducks in line: Hats Off!!! & thank you Arkane Studios for keeping that shit alive & on top to this very day!!!!! Keep that shit coming!!!!

[@geraldtn3175]

Deus ex (pc) reminds me of 9/11. I was playing it A LOT in those days .. so the music and everything takes me right back to those days

[@AxelAlexK]

I played through and loved Mankind Divided and Human Revolution. Just bought this one for my ps2. Really pumped to play it.

[@BeowulfCav]

Oh man I loved this game. I played it only a couple years ago too so it's not like I've got huge nostalgia goggles or anything. These mods look sick too, I actually played the non modded Steam version. The music is fantastic and I can only imagine what kind of feelings the music brings up in people that enjoyed the game when it came out. I really enjoyed Deus Ex: HR too, which I played right after I finished this game. I am very much looking forward to playing Mankind Divided next but I might wait for a Steam sale discount ;D

[@Sinn0100]

Deuce Ex was amazing! I can't remember what I played it on...but I thought it was on the original Xbox. Just like today I have every machine including the enhanced models. It could have been on the PS2 but I don't think so... You talked about graphics, it was phenomenal on console. Seeing something like the Unreal engine on a console in 2000'ish was truly something to behold. Considering the leap in graphics from the PSX/Saturn era to the Dreamcast/PS2/Xbox was truly something. I didn't include the Nintendo consoles as even though I had them...they were rarely on my radar save for a few select games. Resident Evil re-make comes to mind.

[@Boognish64]

Not strangely: I played Deus Ex on PS2 my first playthrough of the game in 2003 or so. And Deus Ex is still one of my favorite games of all time. (Holy god I remember the load times on the PS2 though)

[@antonysmith1981]

GOOD REVIEW NICELY DONE !!!!!!!

[@damnyousalazar]

Do "No One Lives Forever!" I know it isn't as influential as the other games that have been done in this series, but it is generally, fondly remembered and it had an interesting console port imo. I played the PS2 version back in 2002, and I was none the wiser to the differences with the PC version that I hadn't touched. I hated the PS2 version's interface, and it makes complete sense in hindsight that the PC version was very different in that regard. I always find it interesting when DF compares PC to console ports from the early 2000s. I owned Half-Life on both Pc and PS2, and I enjoyed that video a lot.

[@lettmons]

the PS2 version of NOLF is unplayable because of no save game feature.

[@LowPingKing]

Wow haven't seen Lance Boyle in years. I hear there's a new MegaRace in the works. Can't wait!

[@charamiwa5931]

Great work as always. Would love to get a retrospective on Morrowind and its xbox port!

[@dark1x]

Oh man, that port...loading times would eventually reach upwards of 5 minutes in a huge save and frame-rates went into the single digits.

[@cacomeat7385]

+John Linneman I played it briefly on Xbox, it wasn't too unpleasant but I hated the game itself back then. After learning more about how to get good at the game I bought GOTY on Steam and fell in love with it. The graphics on PC aren't too bad either for 2002 apart from the ugly character models (high quality models are the only thing I installed graphic wise, the textures are absolutely impressive for 2002)

[@sweekly146]

It would be really interesting to see if a modded Xbox with more memory could alleviate those frame rate issues.

[@DethThrasher1]

yea morrowind would be an awesome one

[@charamiwa5931]

i.imgur.com/cBENC.jpg Todd said it was the best version to play! Thanks todd

[@incrediblystoned4990]

This game change me over to pc so many years ago

[@caliden2]

Oh man, this plus Easy Allies Deus Ex Retrospective Part 2... can't get enough Deus Ex

[@TAGMedia7]

I would love to see you cover MegaRace!!!

[@madmax2069]

I remember those up close detailed textures on walls was only available for glide (at least it was on UT99).

[@steemonkey2000]

Back when this came out, I already owned Unreal Tournament. My friend loaned me Deus Ex and the Unreal Tournament disk would pass the disk check for Deus Ex.

[@mane4209]

This is crazy to me. I played and love all those games, didn't know I was following one designer.

[@RhumbaRat]

Do hope you cover Invisible War eventually, from a technical standpoint it was much more advanced for its time than the first game was.

[@OwtDaftUK]

Only ever played the PS2 version and I remember loving this game, despite it's set backs.

[@jaymzx2587]

Fantastisch retrospective of the best game ever made :) thanks!

[@leonogueira1636]

I really love those retro videos, Resident Evil please next time!

[@rock2k14]

Anyone else wonder what that Command and Conquer RPG could have been like if he had chosen that instead, could have been pretty amazing given how Deus Ex turn out

[@orta64]

OMG, MEGARACE!! I played a lot the first one when my dad bought our first cd-rom drive and this game was bundled along with other games that didin't work with my 386.

[@the_kovic]

My favorite piece of Deus Ex gameplay: See those trip lasers? Another way to bypass them is to spray the emitters with pepper spray. The clouds of spray will block it and allow you to pass if you're quick enough.

[@S.IVmusic]

Nice video.. 👍

[@HE13272326]

Growing up with consoles i actualy played on the PS2 for a long time before i saw the PC version XD

[@harrisonfackrell]

That Jazz Jackrabbit music legitimately sounds like it's from Deus Ex.