There are over 1,000 downloadable games at pcgameworld.com, one of the major sources of PC Game Demos. My goal for this column is to provide the reader with a guide to these demos. Specifically, I will tell you which ones are worth your time and your hard drive space and which ones are not.

All demos will be rated on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest. Five different points will be considered in the evaluation process:

Playability
Graphics and Sound
Computer Specs
Fun Factor
Overall

Testing system: PII 350, 128 RAM, Voodoo 3000 PCI, 256K DSL Internet

Deus Ex

Every so often, a demo comes along that is gripping, entertaining, exciting, interactive, and intensive. Deus Ex qualifies as one of those demos. Published by Eidos Interactive and created by the spectacular Warren Spector, this game is all about testing the limits of the FPS genre. It requires wits, stealth, firepower, skills, and a few 40-ounce beers, which you can help yourself to as you pummel bad guys and save some of the citizens of New York City. If you don't want to read any further, I'll just tell you this: download it now. Don't forget part 2 of the demo, which requires part 1 to be installed.

You are JC Denton, an augmented (uh, bionically assisted) agent who has been sent to NYC to combat NSF terrorists, who have apparently whipped some local cop ass and taken off with a shipment of Ambrosia, which you can worry about when you play the demo. No, Ambrosia is not that fruit-cocktail & marshmallows-in-jello that your mom used to make and take to cookouts.

As Denton, you are given a job to find the terrorist leader and get the man to talk. He's hiding somewhere near the Statue of Liberty, and between you and him is a whole slew of NSF terrorists, who are a little pissed off because they apparently were left behind when the Ambrosia was swooped out of the area via the harbor.

Make your way through the enemy like a scythe through wheat, or you can take the quiet approach and just tranquilize those that get in your way. (Right.)

There are several different skills you can learn by earning "skill points." You can become a better shooter or more proficient with computer hacking, or, my favorite, talented with high explosives.

After you find the head terrorist guy, you have to go back to "the office" for debriefing with your boss, Mr. Manderley. His secretary Janice will speak to you with a descending tone, indicating that she has no love for augmented men. Bring her some plants to show her you have a sensitive side.

While you're bringing the plants, she tells you constantly that Mr. Manderley is waiting for you. Keep bringing her plants. Give the woman all you can. Fill the room with your love for her.

Now you have to see Manderley, and it's time for business. Whip out your GEP gun (aka - room broom and chopper whopper) and clear a path to Manderley's door.

Now be prepared to listen to the Big Cheese and what he thinks about you, you bio-genetic-freak! There's a lot to discover in the office area, and a lot to learn as well. Soak it all up. Get ready to go on part II of the demo with some other cyber whacko, provided you have downloaded the second part and installed it.

Part II takes us to the mainland, where we'll encounter Hell's Kitchen, hookers, subways, booze hounds, bums, snippy fellow employees, drugged-out children and several enemies. Just another day at the office.

Just like Part I, you've got a helluva lot of ground and stuff to explore. Part II will tell you a little more about the overall story, but mostly it makes a fine demo almost twice as long. I'm impressed that they went to the extra effort to do this. These guys want to sell some games, methinks. They've definitely sold me on an outstanding demo.

Unfortunately, Novalogic hasn't done too much in the realm of FPS expansion. Granted, this is just the demo, but the demo is worth 20 minutes of gameplay, tops. There are several different strategies you can take to conquer the terrorists and capture the Bio-suitcase, but you'll find they are all pretty weak, and without much flair.

Playability: Learning curve is about 30 minutes with all of the different things that the character can do, but there is a great training session to help you out. The demo will last you at least an hour, possibly longer. If you play both missions, you'll soak up a couple hours of unrivaled entertainment. Play this thing with the lights very dim and the phone unplugged. Get immersed in it.

Graphics / Sound: Great textured environment, wonderful views from high ground that aren't too taxing on the 3D card. Sound is pretty good, but the music is just satisfactory. There's a lot of black colors in the demo, as everything seems to take place at night.

Computer Specs: Doesn't require a nitrogen-cooled GHz Pentium or anything, but a 3D card will really help out. If you have a 56K modem, this will take some time to grab. Interface is good, and the in-game help and status screens (F1) are easy to navigate.

Fun Factor: Outstanding. All sorts of new things to do every time you play it. You can be stealthy on your approach, or go in guns blazing. You affect the outcome of the game with your actions and interaction with the characters in the world, as well as the behavior of your fellow agents and the enemy. There are numerous things to discover in the demo's world - so keep looking around!

Overall: Deus Ex is highly original, and definitely worth the download. Play it once, keep it on your hard drive and then go back and play it again in a couple weeks after you've played some other demos. You'll wonder how those other games can be so weak.

TOTAL SCORE: 8.5

DEUS EX DEMO
Demo Size: 139.45 MB
System Requirements [P200/64MB/Win95/98/DirectX]
Download Time: 56K-7 hours, 128K-2 hr 19 mins, DSL/Cable-45 mins.
Download Here: DEUS EX DEMO or check www.gigex.com if you're a modem user for more info about uninterrupted downloads.
Download Demo Mission 2 (32.6 MB) Here: DEUS EX DEMO PART II (Part I must be installed first.)

Greg A. Bruns is a freelance writer residing in Phoenix, Arizona. His monthly column "Straight Up with a Twist" appears in the Arcadia News. His first book, Tales from the Scenic Route, is currently unpublished. Greg also pens "Ask the Faceless Assassin" - an "advice" column.
Note: Featured author in October
E-mail: greg@gregbruns.com
Writing interests: Humor, Strange News, Nonfiction, Short Stories, Memoirs
I.D. Theory articles: Your Guide to College, Instant Gratification, Survive This!, Letter to the new President, The Things We Do For Love, Seattle: Emerging Character
PC Demo Game Reviews: HITMAN: Codename 47, Project IGI (I'm Going In), Diablo II, No One Lives Forever, Deus Ex, Delta Force Land Warrior, Motocross Madness, HEAVY METAL F.A.K.K. 2
Links: GregBruns.com, Tales from the Scenic Route, Ask the Faceless Assassin, More alphabet zen