With both franchises taking players to dystopian sci-fi settings, there is a lot that a potential rumors of a new Deus Ex game circulating, the beloved franchise can teach CD Projekt Red a thing or two about cyberpunk games.
After a long hiatus the Deus Ex series was reignited with 2011's Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Developed by Eidos-Montreal, the game serves as a prequel to the first two games while adapting the franchise's classic gameplay for a new audience. Like the original Deus Ex, Human Revolution emphasizes immersion and player choice as players progress through levels using combat, stealth or careful exploration of the environment. Cybernetic augmentations create countless gameplay opportunities, letting protagonist Adam Jensen perform superhuman combat feats or talk his way out of certain situations. Eidos-Montreal was recently purchased by Embracer Group, and the company is apparently interested in developing another Deus Ex sequel or remake in the near future.
As an open-world cyberpunk RPG, Cyberpunk 2077 was expected to become a worthy successor to the Deus Ex franchise before launch. Unfortunately, the game was infamously released in an unpolished state tainted by numerous performance issues. While vast, the game's Night City map is relatively empty and lacks meaningful content while immersion is significantly hampered by Cyberpunk 2077's technical issues. CD Projekt Red has worked to patch the game and build upon its foundations, but Cyberpunk 2077's reputation has been irreparably tarnished by its highly criticized launch. Considering the game's issues, there is a great deal that a Cyberpunk 2077 DLC or full-fledged sequel could learn from Deus Ex.
A Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel Can Go Smaller-Scale Like Deus Ex
While Cyberpunk 2077 was meant to be a massive open-world game, CD Projekt Red would be wise to take inspiration from the smaller-scale Deus Ex games for future sequels. While most Deus Ex titles take players on a globe-trotting cyberpunk adventure, each individual level is typically a relatively small and self-contained area. This allows developers to pack each level with exquisite detail, and each area can be tailor-made to suit any playstyle. The Night City map featured in Cyberpunk 2077 felt empty and artificial, which was a major disappointment to fans, and switching to multiple smaller regions like in The Witcher could help CD Projekt Red flesh out its sci-fi world.
The Deus Ex titles are considered some of the best cyberpunk games on the market, and the franchise's excellent world design is a big part of that success. By creating multiple small areas rather than one massive open world, developers are able to make each section of Deus Ex extremely detailed and wholly unique. Considering the big empty Night City featured in Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red should take inspiration from the original cyberpunk gaming series for any sequels.
