The news earlier this year that Eidos Montreal is working on Deus Ex 3 brings back fond memories of the original Deus Ex, released in 2000. At a time when the rest of the FPS market was throwing their collective efforts at online multiplayer games, two heavyweight PC game designers - Warren Spector and Harvey Smith - combined forces, Voltron-style, to deliver a meld of FPS and RPG. Coming just six months (though in a different calendar year) after the release of the exceptional System Shock 2, comparisons between the two games were inevitable (Spector also worked on the original System Shock, making the comparisons all the more appropriate).
Welcome to the chilling future of Deus Ex, where vending machines have a mind of their own
Combat is driven by numerous factors: environmental, weapon and body augmentations, user skills, etc
Deus Ex had the benefit of escaping the long shadow of the original Half-Life, and remains one of only two games developed by the ill-fated Ion Storm to garner good reviews (Anachronox, the other, was released to a decent reception in 2001). Praised for its solid story, strong character development mechanics and RPG elements, the most talked-about feature were the game's three different endings. While the choice between endings was cursory and wasn't featured until the final moments of gameplay, Deus Ex had the perfect combination of a scripted story and free will in gameplay to make it one of the most memorable experiences on the PC to date.
Conflict is not the only solution - stealth and diplomacy will get you just as far... but not here
#1: Half-Life 2 (2004)
Half-Life 2 is a trek across widely varying landscapes
So this is it - the number one must-have PC game, according to YouGamers readers. Actually, according to just about everyone, this title one of the best video games ever released, regardless of platform or genre. That's right - you voted Valve's Half-Life 2 as the numero uno must-have PC game. It's difficult to argue with the notion that any other game so masterfully melds action and story into one - wait for it - compelling package. Epic in scale and with an immersive narrative, the story's pacing and outstanding characters draw players into the narrative like no other game. Gameplay is just the right mix of adventure, action and exploration, and the production value (afforded by the success of the original Half-Life) is unrivaled.
Though Valve's planned episodic content didn't pan out as intended, the story continues in Episodes One and Two. The stars were aligned when Valve created original Half-Life, but it took five long years of development, with multiple delays and a much-publicized missed release date, to craft the experience that is Half-Life 2. When Valve puts the brakes on the Half-Life story in the upcoming Episode Three, it will bring the most successful PC gaming franchise of all time to a close. In the contemporary volatile publishing market, it's highly probable that we'll never see another series on the PC garner such far-reaching commercial and critical success.
Half-Life 2 continued the story of Gordon Freeman in style
As in the first Half-Life, moments of exploration and exposition are punctuated by firefights
The combine never let down their guard
Valve has a knack for creating memorable character, such as the faithful robot companion Dog
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