This is a mostly enjoyable and fun game to play, under the condition that you ignore its title, specifically the first two words.

As a standalone game, it is a fun stealth fps with minute rpg elements. The story is alright, there is some lore to read and hear and there are some interesting characters. What is somewhat annoying is that the game keeps crashing. It is interesting to note that these crashes are not bugs, but, and I’m not kidding, an intended feature. Whenever loading a new area, the game will close itself and reopen. This was the only way they could think for the game to work properly. I admit it is as much ingenious as it is a red flag. But positive feelings! It’s an average standalone after all.

So, inside these arbitrary metrics, it’s an okay generic game.

However, this isn’t a standalone game, is it?

Now, to the crux of the matter. As a sequel to Deus Ex, with the exception of the better graphics, better voice acting (the male protagonist, for instance, is voiced by Vegeta) and some sparse good tweaks; It falls short. Unbelievably short.
Invisible War is inferior in almost every conceivable way. Plot, music, game design, level design, characters, lore, dialogue, among others. You can pick, there is a plethora of detractions from the first game.
It is far more streamlined, less immersive and massively less cerebral. You can have more meaningful conversations with bartenders on the original than with faction leaders on the sequel. The only two moments I felt this was actually a Deus Ex was during the Coffee Wars mission in Trier (which could have been done better and serves as a hint to a plot point which is already obvious to the average Deus Ex player at this point) and the first encounter and subsequent conversation with JC Denton.

As a sequel to Deus Ex, this is a monumental step back. I honestly feel bad for the developers that had to bend to the corporate desires and mangle this. It’s ironic. What went down behind the scenes between the devs and executives is, most likely, far more Deus Ex than this game itself even attempted to be. (It was originally developed for the Xbox, because money.)
This is, most likely, the worst of the main Deus Ex games. I say most likely because, as of the time of this review, I have only played the original and Invisible War. The only things I know of Human Revolution and Mankind Divided are opinions and reviews of friends, so I have a gist of the overall quality, but am biased due to not actually knowing.

So, I give this game a positive review. Under certain boundaries, I enjoyed this game. And you will, or could, enjoy it also, if:
-You never played any Deus Ex. If this relates to you, you will have a good time, it is a fun game. But it would be best if you played the original first. For any reason whatsoever.

-You only played the prequels/newer ones. If this relates to you, you might find this fun. It is still far less cerebral and nuanced, but there are some traits that you could find familiar. But then again, if you are stepping your toes onto the waters of the old ones, play the original, for the love of g..

-You played the original, but you came expecting nothing of it and try to see the game as something else, disconnected, from the original. If you manage to do this, you will have fun with a good game that, to its unfortunate predicament, sits at the shadow of one of the greatest games of all time.

In summation, Invisible War is a good game, but an awful Deus Ex.

As a wise man once said,

“I am completely biased, and I don’t care.” - SsethTzeentach

Once more, I recommend anyone to see Ross’s essay on the game. It is far more detailed, well conveyed and entertaining than this review. Like the difference between the OG and Invisible War!
“Ross’s Game Dungeon: Deus Ex - Invisible War” on Youtube.

This is a mostly enjoyable and fun game to play, under the condition that you ignore its title, specifically the first two words. As a standalone game, it is a fun stealth fps with minute rpg elements. The story is alright, there is some lore to read and hear and there are some interesting characters. What is somewhat annoying is that the game keeps crashing. It is interesting to note that these crashes are not bugs, but, and I’m not kidding, an intended feature. Whenever loading a new area, the game will close itself and reopen. This was the only way they could think for the game to work properly. I admit it is as much ingenious as it is a red flag. But positive feelings! It’s an average standalone after all. So, inside these arbitrary metrics, it’s an okay generic game. However, this isn’t a standalone game, is it? Now, to the crux of the matter. As a sequel to Deus Ex, with the exception of the better graphics, better voice acting (the male protagonist, for instance, is voiced by Vegeta) and some sparse good tweaks; It falls short. Unbelievably short. Invisible War is inferior in almost every conceivable way. Plot, music, game design, level design, characters, lore, dialogue, among others. You can pick, there is a plethora of detractions from the first game. It is far more streamlined, less immersive and massively less cerebral. You can have more meaningful conversations with bartenders on the original than with faction leaders on the sequel. The only two moments I felt this was actually a Deus Ex was during [spoiler] the Coffee Wars mission in Trier (which could have been done better and serves as a hint to a plot point which is already obvious to the average Deus Ex player at this point) and the first encounter and subsequent conversation with JC Denton. [/spoiler] As a sequel to Deus Ex, this is a monumental step back. I honestly feel bad for the developers that had to bend to the corporate desires and mangle this. It’s ironic. What went down behind the scenes between the devs and executives is, most likely, far more Deus Ex than this game itself even attempted to be. (It was originally developed for the Xbox, because money.) This is, most likely, the worst of the main Deus Ex games. I say most likely because, as of the time of this review, I have only played the original and Invisible War. The only things I know of Human Revolution and Mankind Divided are opinions and reviews of friends, so I have a gist of the overall quality, but am biased due to not actually knowing. So, I give this game a positive review. Under certain boundaries, I enjoyed this game. And you will, or could, enjoy it also, if: -You never played any Deus Ex. If this relates to you, you will have a good time, it is a fun game. But it would be best if you played the original first. For any reason whatsoever. -You only played the prequels/newer ones. If this relates to you, you might find this fun. It is still far less cerebral and nuanced, but there are some traits that you could find familiar. But then again, if you are stepping your toes onto the waters of the old ones, play the original, for the love of g.. -You played the original, but you came expecting nothing of it and try to see the game as something else, disconnected, from the original. If you manage to do this, you will have fun with a good game that, to its unfortunate predicament, sits at the shadow of one of the greatest games of all time. In summation, Invisible War is a good game, but an awful Deus Ex. As a wise man once said, “I am completely biased, and I don’t care.” - SsethTzeentach Once more, I recommend anyone to see Ross’s essay on the game. It is far more detailed, well conveyed and entertaining than this review. Like the difference between the OG and Invisible War! “Ross’s Game Dungeon: Deus Ex - Invisible War” on Youtube.