The Deus Ex Remastered project unveiled at the most recent State of Play has ignited intense debate. Jerry O’Flaherty, the art director of the original 2000 release, joined the chorus of sharp criticism—saying he was left stunned after watching the trailer.
“What the hell is this? No. This should never have existed,” he declared. The artist argued that the new textures and lighting have robbed the game of its character.
O’Flaherty reminded listeners that in the early 2000s, when photorealism was out of reach, developers relied on imagination and striking visual choices—things that gave each title a distinct face.
“These days everyone chases photorealism, but realism isn’t always what you want. Sometimes it’s better when elements are a little exaggerated.”
In his view, Deus Ex doesn’t need a visual revolution—only technical updates to ensure it runs smoothly on modern platforms.
Deus Ex Remastered is scheduled for release on February 5, 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Source: iXBT.games