System Shock 2: An essential experience for every serious gamer

The year was 1999. The studio was Irrational Games. The timing was right. The vision was right. The ingredients were right. The developers had a fresh outlook. The result was one of the greatest games of all time, a game that any serious gamer needs to experience.

This thread is an homage to a stunning combination of vision and execution. This thread is a celebration; a celebration of the shot-in-the-dark masterpiece that is System Shock 2.

System Shock 2 is not easily defined. It is a shooter, and it is also an RPG. It is a Sci-fi FPS, but it is also a horror game. It features complex skill systems, and it has a complex inventory system to relate with. The game allows you to truly define your character: Want to be a hacker? A psi user? A marine? Pick one major direction, or go in several directions and create a diverse and well balanced character, there are tons of options at your disposal.

You may kill the games many horrifying enemies in a great variety of ways: Shoot them with an assault rifle, beat them with a wrench, slash them with a laser sword, stab them with a shard of crystal, shoot parasitic worms at them from a living gun, or blast them with one of your many psi attacks; the combat is incredibly diverse and flexible.

The atmosphere in System Shock 2 is unique and terrifying. Every corridor is filled with a palapble fog of dread; every enemy makes you cringe as they approach you from some hidden door. The audio is incredibly well done; you will find yourself wincing as a cyber mid-wife comes at you screaming in a frightenly high pitched voice; you will find yourself absolutely terrified and bewildered as you wonder which direction the next hybrid is coming from, your only guide to his location being his crying begs for you to kill him.

The story is System Shock 2 is intriguing, and, in many cases, absolutely, well, shocking. I will not spoil it for those who have not played the game yet, but let's just say that some seriously ****ed up stuff goes down: There is a moment about halfway through the game that I hail as the greatest moment in gaming history.

System Shock 2 was released in 1999, and as such, it is practically impossibe to find on store shelves; if you want a copy, order one via Amazon, or get one off of Ebay, but whatever you do, aquire this game; it is an absolute essential.

Is System Shock 2 unforgivingly complex? Hell yes.

Is it incredibly difficult? Hell yes.

But if you are a serious gamer looking for an intelligent, challenging, and amazing video game (as you damn well should be) then you can do no better than System Shock 2.

So, here's the last word: If you haven't played System Shock 2 yet, go play it RIGHT NOW. You owe to yourself.

If you have played it, then congratulations and welcome to the celebration, because System Shock 2 is a game that damn well deserves one.

It is easily one of the best games ever made.

Bioshock is the same game with better graphics. nippon_gamer

And noobified to hell and back.

[QUOTE="nippon_gamer"]Bioshock is the same game with better graphics. Meu2k7

And noobified to hell and back.

Bioshock is the same game with better graphics. nippon_gamer

Actualy, Bioshock is a simpliefied game with better graphics, System Shock 2 is a more complex and engaging game.

Bioshock is the same game with better graphics. nippon_gamer

Except not scary at all, incredibly easy, and the RPG elements have almost no effect on gameplay.

Bioshock is the same game with better graphics. nippon_gamer

Not really. Bioshock is like System Shock 2 Lite with better direct combat and an intriguing story.

To me the atmosphere, setting, and story in Bioshock are the best parts, and definitely make it worth a try.

The two games complement eachother: You should play both, though I think SS2 is better.

They are definitely not the same game though; you are hella wrong on that, and have no idea what you are talking about.

Bioshock is the same game with better graphics. nippon_gamer

That's like saying that Oblivion was Morrowind with better graphics.
Both Bioshock and Oblivion lacked the depth, difficulty and content found in their predecessors.

[QUOTE="nippon_gamer"]Bioshock is the same game with better graphics. Planeforger

That's like saying that Oblivion was Morrowind with better graphics.
Both Bioshock and Oblivion lacked the depth, difficulty and content found in their predecessors.

That's a great comparision, though I think that Bioshock is a better successor to SS2 than Oblivion is to Morrowind.

System Shock 2, Fallout 2, Diablo 2, Doom 2, and Half Life 2. The greatest 2's ever.poovine

You forgot the best 2 of all time. Baldur's Gate II!!

Thank you OP. God I miss those late 90's, they featured some of the best games of all time. While I liked Bioshock, System Shock 2 blows it out of the proverbial water. If I had to vote, it would be for a System Shock 3 from Ken and the boys, but I'm not sure who owns the IP anymore.

Imagine a System Shock 3? Oh boy would I be excited.

System Shock 2: an out-of-print pc game that is close to impossible to find, and because of that fact has become pretty much irrelevant.

Thank you OP. God I miss those late 90's, they featured some of the best games of all time. While I liked Bioshock, System Shock 2 blows it out of the proverbial water. If I had to vote, it would be for a System Shock 3 from Ken and the boys, but I'm not sure who owns the IP anymore.

Imagine a System Shock 3? Oh boy would I be excited.

mismajor99

I don't remember who owns the IP, but it's not Ken and the gang. That's the reason Bioshock exists and System Shock 3 doesn't.

A: System Shock 2 is easily defined

B: Bioshock is better

A: System Shock 2 is easily defined

B: Bioshock is better

JiveT

In some areas, yes, Bioshock is better.

Most notably in the areas of combat, presentation, and writing.

But System Shock 2 is much more in depth, it's more challenging, and it's customization options are far deeper and more intricate. It's also much scarier.

System Shock 2, Fallout 2, Diablo 2, Doom 2, and Half Life 2. The greatest 2's ever.poovine

Starcontrol 2, Masters of Orion 2, Dune 2.

System Shock 2, Fallout 2, Diablo 2, Doom 2, and Half Life 2. The greatest 2's ever.poovine

You forgot one more greatest 2 - BG 2 :)

Thank you OP. God I miss those late 90's, they featured some of the best games of all time. While I liked Bioshock, System Shock 2 blows it out of the proverbial water. If I had to vote, it would be for a System Shock 3 from Ken and the boys, but I'm not sure who owns the IP anymore.

Imagine a System Shock 3? Oh boy would I be excited.

mismajor99

You will be shocked. EA Owns it

[QUOTE="mismajor99"]

Thank you OP. God I miss those late 90's, they featured some of the best games of all time. While I liked Bioshock, System Shock 2 blows it out of the proverbial water. If I had to vote, it would be for a System Shock 3 from Ken and the boys, but I'm not sure who owns the IP anymore.

Imagine a System Shock 3? Oh boy would I be excited.

naval

You will be shocked. EA Owns it

System Shock 3 would've been made, but Irrational stated they didnt want to go on with the System Shock license because it's owned by EA. EA would demand a linear FPS experience with a boss battle at the end of each level, head guy (Whos name I oddly have forgotten) for irrational said that, the best they could do was a spiritual sucessor, which is why Bioshock is so similar to System Shock, Bioshock was never created to be much different from System Shock, it's the closest thing to A real system shock 3 anyones ever gonna get.

System Shock 2, Fallout 2, Diablo 2, Doom 2, and Half Life 2. The greatest 2's ever.poovine

[QUOTE="naval"][QUOTE="mismajor99"]

Thank you OP. God I miss those late 90's, they featured some of the best games of all time. While I liked Bioshock, System Shock 2 blows it out of the proverbial water. If I had to vote, it would be for a System Shock 3 from Ken and the boys, but I'm not sure who owns the IP anymore.

Imagine a System Shock 3? Oh boy would I be excited.

Vis-a-Vis

You will be shocked. EA Owns it

System Shock 3 would've been made, but Irrational stated they didnt want to go on with the System Shock license because it's owned by EA. EA would demand a linear FPS experience with a boss battle at the end of each level, head guy (Whos name I oddly have forgotten) for irrational said that, the best they could do was a spiritual sucessor, which is why Bioshock is so similar to System Shock, Bioshock was never created to be much different from System Shock, it's the closest thing to A real system shock 3 anyones ever gonna get.

Yeah, if SS3 was made by irrational it would have been exactly like bioshock. I think success of bioshcok would be making EA drool

[quote="poovine"]System Shock 2, Fallout 2, Diablo 2, Doom 2, and Half Life 2. The greatest 2's ever.Ontain

...Thief 2 (one of the best stealth games), Monkey Island 2 (one of the best adventure games), Gabriel Knight 2 (one of the best FMV games)...

Then again, I could probably name just as many bad sequals.

[quote="Ontain"][quote="poovine"]System Shock 2, Fallout 2, Diablo 2, Doom 2, and Half Life 2. The greatest 2's ever.Planeforger

...Thief 2 (one of the best stealth games), Monkey Island 2 (one of the best adventure games), Gabriel Knight 2 (one of the best FMV games)...

Then again, I could probably name just as many bad sequals.

Freespace 2, Heavy Gear 2, Dark Forces 2: Jedi Knight... Can't forget about those!

[QUOTE="Planeforger"]

[quote="Ontain"][quote="poovine"]System Shock 2, Fallout 2, Diablo 2, Doom 2, and Half Life 2. The greatest 2's ever.sSubZerOo

...Thief 2 (one of the best stealth games), Monkey Island 2 (one of the best adventure games), Gabriel Knight 2 (one of the best FMV games)...

Then again, I could probably name just as many bad sequals.

Freespace 2, Heavy Gear 2, Dark Forces 2: Jedi Knight... Can't forget about those!

Let me add a few more - HoMM 2, BG 2, Deus EX 2 (just kidding :P)

System Shock

For Free!

Now you have no excuse.

Except me. I just hated it.

It's not exactly abandonware yet - I've ocassionally seen it in shops this year (particularly Target, KMart, etc.).

Then again, they've probably all been bought now that Bioshock is out.

I remember hearing that Bioshock and System Shock 2 comparison on Zero Punctuation.

Yahtzee says, "You see, it's not like System Shock 2, it is System Shock 2."

I remember hearing that Bioshock and System Shock 2 comparison on Zero Punctuation.

Yahtzee says, "You see, it's not like System Shock 2, it is System Shock 2."

WeAreToast

You take it out of context, because he gives the exceptions that it is piss easy, no real meaningful rpg elements, as well as other key things.. He basically said it was a really dumbed down version of System Shock 2.

System Shock 2, Fallout 2, Diablo 2, Doom 2, and Half Life 2. The greatest 2's ever.poovine

[QUOTE="nippon_gamer"]Bioshock is the same game with better graphics. Meu2k7

And noobified to hell and back.

Yes indeed. Did Irrational think console gamers were allmorons who couldn't aim or find their way through a level?

"Hhmm, let's see, we've never made a console game before, but if memory serves, gamepads are completely unplayable. So the only way to compensate would be to give players infinite respawns with no consequence. That should balance out the gampeplay. Let them carry every weapon with them at once, and don't bother rendering the character's legs either."

joking :P . I really like Bioshock, but some of it's dissapointments are hard to ignore. I wish I could experience SS2 now.

I love System Shock 2.

A simply amazing game.

I want it on XBLA with new character models.

Indeed it is one of the best games ever created.
Surprisingly better than Bioshock in many regards.

Oh BUT:

GLADOS > SHODAN :P