Deus Ex Series Under $10 on Steam vs. $30 Remaster
▼ Summary
– The Deus Ex remaster is receiving negative feedback for drastically altering the original game’s distinctive art style.
– Its $30 price is criticized as excessive, especially since the entire mainline series is often available for under $10.
– The remaster’s visuals are described as unfaithful, resembling a different, less impressive era of game graphics.
– The product is unfavorably compared to other, more respectful and feature-rich remasters like System Shock 2.
– The value is further undermined by the existence of free mods that already improve the original game’s compatibility and visuals.
For those looking to experience the legendary Deus Ex series, a stark choice has emerged. The recent announcement of a $30 remaster for the original game has been met with widespread criticism, particularly when the entire core collection of games is frequently available on Steam for under ten dollars. This price disparity raises serious questions about the value proposition of the new release, especially given the questionable artistic direction shown in early footage.
The initial excitement surrounding the Deus Ex remaster quickly turned to disappointment. The revealed visuals appear to fundamentally alter the original’s distinctive, gritty aesthetic, replacing it with a look that feels dated and incongruous. It evokes the graphical style of its 2004 sequel, Invisible War, or an ambitious but flawed mod, rather than a thoughtful modernization. The character models and environments seem stripped of their unique personality, a move that has baffled long-time fans.
The financial comparison is difficult to ignore. While the remaster carries a $30 price tag, the original Deus Ex: Game of the Year Edition is typically priced at a mere $7 on Steam and GOG, and it is practically a permanent fixture on sale for an astonishing 91 cents. This makes the entire main series—including Invisible War, Human Revolution, and Mankind Divided—an incredible bargain. Other modern remasters, like Nightdive’s work on System Shock 2, demonstrate how to honor a classic by integrating community mods and enhancing features while staying true to the original’s vision, which only highlights the shortcomings of this offering.
Even Aspyr’s own previous projects, such as the Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition, show a more respectful approach. That release added meaningful quality-of-life improvements like high-resolution UI scaling and controller support without sacrificing the game’s core artistic identity. The new Deus Ex remaster, by contrast, seems to miss the mark on both preservation and enhancement.
The argument for making classic games accessible on new platforms is valid, but it is severely undermined when the process degrades the very elements that made the game memorable. Furthermore, robust Steam Deck and gamepad support for the original Deus Ex is already achievable through established community mods like Revision. These fan-made projects often provide a more faithful and appealing visual upgrade than what the official product currently promises. For new players, getting the original game to run beautifully on modern systems is straightforward with the help of online guides.
It’s challenging not to view this remaster as a misstep. While development is undoubtedly complex, the decision to present the game in its current state and attach a premium price feels misguided. For a title held in such high esteem as Deus Ex, the community expected a more careful and respectful treatment. When the superior, original experience is so readily available for a fraction of the cost, the value of this new version becomes exceptionally hard to justify.
(Source: PC Gamer)