Never mind that Deus Ex‘s combination of action, RPG-style character building and dialog choices paved the way for newer games like Mass Effect. Its greatest triumph comes partway through the game, when you get the idea to go off-script.
Facing orders to execute a conspirator, you wonder what would happen if you turned the gun on your commanding officer instead. No way the game would let you do that, right? But as you pull the trigger, Deus Ex reveals its trick: It always knew you might go rogue. You feel the ripple effect of your decision as the game progresses, and then you’re totally sucked in.