Deus Ex is getting a fan-made UE5 polish. However, it is not primarily about better graphics.
At number 20 in our top PC games is one of the best cyberpunk titles ever: the legendary first Deus Ex. The shooter was released in 2000 and was based on Unreal Engine 1. Of course, the edges and mud textures no longer look up to date – but that”s the kind of thing modders like to take care of!
A new fan project now wants to bring Deus Ex into the Unreal Engine 5. But it”s about more than just better graphic effects.
Deus Ex: What makes it a classic?
Before we talk about the UE5 project, a little trip down memory lane. Many in the GS community probably never played Deus Ex themselves. Why do cyberpunk veterans still get sparkly eyes when they think of the shooter?
Because Deus Ex set new standards in terms of story, atmosphere and freedom of action back then! The story about a cybernetically enhanced agent and a world-spanning conspiracy is still gripping today.
In addition, the game reacts to you incredibly dynamically: For example, an NPC will no longer sell you weapons if you are too brutal. Sascha Penzhorn tried out for you how Deus Ex currently plays. During this self-experiment he had to deal with technical problems. That”s exactly what the UE5 project wants to get to grips with.
Deus Ex in UE5: Why actually?
Of course, there are already masses of mods that spruce up Deus Ex. The UE5 project DXU24 also polishes up many effects and lighting, seen here in the video:
But the real goal is to make Deus Ex compatible with modern PCs and to create a VR version. Therefore, no new content is included, textures and objects remain the same and you must own the original game to use the mod. So it is neither a remaster nor a remake.
No release date for the UE5 project has been announced yet.
Now it”s your turn: What do you think of the Deus Ex refresh project? Have you ever tried to run the cyberpunk shooter on a modern PC – and if so, how did it go for you? No problems or almost unplayable? Feel free to tell us about your successes in the comments, maybe there are some useful tricks!