2. Deus Ex - June 22nd, 2000
Possibly the best First-Person Shooter and possibly the best RPG, Deus Ex exceeds in so many different categories. Taking place in 2052, in a civilization ravaged by crime and conspiracies, Deus Ex creates a rich world full of realism. The characters and story and beautifully written, they feel incredibly realistic, its very easy to get invested and feel genuine empathy for them. The NPCs arent the only ones to connect with, the protagonist, JC Denton, is relatable and well-written. The skill trees are exceedingly in-depth, from lock-picking to swimming. The story is easy to become dragged into, each location being based on real-life places, thoroughly designed into a futuristic setting. However, its not just the environments that are familiar, the conspiracies that are genuinely believed by someone in the world. Overall, Deus Ex is probably the deepest and most complex game ever created, and you owe it to yourself to pick it up. What the critics say:
Gamespot: 8.2/10
IGN: 9/10
Steam User Reviews: Steam User Reviews (95% Positive)
Metacritic: 9/10