The cult classic sci-fi horror FPS-RPG has returned.

System Shock 2 is an interesting game to review in 2014. When it first came out in 1999, it was met with a lot of praise from the gaming press, winning over a dozen awards, including several “Game of the Year” titles, and since then it has appeared on several “Greatest Games of All Time” lists. However despite the praise, not many people actually bought and played it.

It feels like System Shock 2 has been granted a second chance though. The success Irrational Games has had with BioShock and BioShock: Infinite has interested people enough to want to check out System Shock 2, which was the first game Irrational created. This is great news, because while you might not expect it, I feel that System Shock 2 is the best of all the “Shock” games. It makes you realize that for all of the steps forward we have taken in terms of technology, in a lot of ways modern gameplay has taken a few steps backwards.

System Shock 2 takes place aboard the world’s first Faster Than Light starship the Von Braun as well as the UNN heavy destroyer the Rickenbacker which was tethered to the Von Braun so it could make the FTL jumps as well. You, the player, wake up from Cryo Sleep 5 months after the ship has left earth. It appears that while you were sleeping some force has managed to hijack the ship. You spend much of the game trying to figure out what exactly happened while you were sleeping, getting ship systems back up and running, and coming up with a plan to stay alive. The primary story of the game is told through many audio logs scattered around the ship that were left by the dead crewmembers, as well as visual clues in the levels that shed some light on what has been going on. This was one of the first games to do this, which has only recently started to become popular.

Both the Von Braun and Rickenbacker are both pretty large ships, and the game does not have any real “levels” in the traditional sense. The ships are broken up into decks (medical, engineering, hydroponics, operations, etc), and each of those decks are broken up into sectors that are separated by bulkheads which often require keycards to access. You are always free to move back and forward between decks and sectors you have gained access to. The game treats the ships as one large persistent game world. For example, if you come across some heavy armor that you do not have the required strength to equip, you can always come back to it later once you have the required stats. Or if you drop an item in a hallway that you do not have space in your inventory for, you can come back and get it hours later if you feel the need to. In fact, this sort of back tracking is sometimes necessary, as certain areas of the ship are only accessible after you do something in a different area. While the game in linear as far as some areas are locked until you find the keycard or access codes, it often lets you tackle multiple objectives in whatever order you see fit.

Speaking of stats like strength, the game has an interesting RPG like system that determines what you can and cannot do. As you complete objectives, you are granted access to “Cybernetic Modules” that you use to upgrade your cybernetic implants. You spend these points at upgrade stations around the ship. There are four main categories of upgrades: stats, psi, weapons, and tech. Stats include things like strength, endurance, and agility. The weapons category contains sub-categories such as standard weapons, heavy weapons, and energy weapons. The tech category is where you find the skills associated with hacking, repairing, and modifying. The Psi category has five separate tiers of power, which need not be learned in order. Each tier includes seven individual powers. These powers compare pretty favorably to the plasmids from Bioshock, and include abilities like Photonic Redirection (turning yourself invisible), Enhanced Motion Sensitivity (shows enemies nearby), and Projected Pyrokinesis (shoots a ball of fire).

The game has more gameplay systems then just the skills. Let’s use the weapons as an example. Each weapon as multiple fire modes that have strengths and weaknesses, such as an overload shot for a laser pistol that does more damage but is energy inefficient. On top of this, each weapon can be modified, provided you have the appropriate skill level. Examples of modification include increasing the clip size, increasing the rate of fire and decreasing kickback. Each time you fire a weapon, its condition starts to degrade, and you must use maintenance tools to keep the weapon in working order. If you neglect a weapon long enough, it can actually break. At that point you need to repair the weapon before you can use it again. On top of this, many of the guns have different types of ammo such as armor piercing rounds and anti-personnel rounds. How does one know what type of ammo to use against each enemy? That is where researching comes in.

When you kill enemies, they often leave behind organs that you can collect from their bodies. If you have a high enough research level, you can research these organs to learn more about the enemies you are facing. It will tell you what types of weapons they have resistances to, which types of weapons they are extra vulnerable to, and it will also give you a buff to all damage done to them. Researching isn’t limited to enemy organs either. You will often find exotic weapons and items that you cannot use until you have researched what they are. Researching items requires different chemicals as well. Which chemicals are required depends on the item. Each deck of the ship has a chemical storeroom that contains a selection of most (but not all) of the chemicals that you need for research. If you are researching an item that requires a chemical that is not in the storeroom on your current deck, you will need to locate the proper chemical somewhere else.

Since System Shock 2 is a survival horror game at its core, you spend a lot of time managing and rationing your supplies. You don’t always want to fight every enemy you come across, otherwise you might find yourself out of ammo. Running from or sneaking by enemies are always valid tactics. You can sometimes take more creative approaches as well, such as hacking a turret and baiting enemies into its firing range. There are also vending machines located throughout the ship, which you can spend money (Nanites) that you collect on items such as ammo and health. Not every vending machine sells everything, and you can hack the vending machines to offer you better prices. Nanites are also the currency used to hack, modify, and repair items, so it is up to you to determine the best way to use your supply of them.

All of these layered gameplay systems are what make System Shock 2 stand out as surprisingly modern when compared to current games. Even Bioshock, a critically acclaimed modern game, feels a bit shallow when you compare it to System Shock 2. I would even go as far as to say Bioshock is a watered down version of System Shock 2. This complexity also opens the game up to be played multiple times, and each time you can build your character in drastically different ways. Want to play the game as a stealth character, only killing when absolutely necessary? That’s possible. What to build a melee weapons only character? That’s also possible.

The only thing about System Shock 2 that feels dated are the visuals, and even that can be mitigated to some degree with mods. The story is great, the audio design is both haunting and impactful when it needs to be, and the gameplay was so far ahead of its time that even modern games feel shallow in comparison. If you can get over how the game looks, I would absolutely recommend giving this first person survival horror RPG a try. It might just be your 2014 game of the year… from 1999.

Four things to know:

1. You want this game. This game is great. All-time great.

2. You want to install visual mods that really make the game sparkle on modern displays. This mod pack packages up all of the best visual mods in one collection: http://neutralx2.com/2013/07/14/system-shock-2-mod-pack

These mods are as faithful to the original look as possible. They just make the game look like it should on today's high resolution displays.

3. Load the "standard FPS" control preset. It will save you a little remapping.

4. Turn off the music. Pounding techno music (like in Med Sci 1) stomps all over the rest of the game's lonely, isolated atmosphere.

3 masterpieces were created on the Dark Engine: the first two Thief games and System Shock 2.
Coincidentally, those were the only games that used the Dark Engine.
Therefore, the Dark Engine objectively has the best track record of any game engine.

System Shock 2 really is one of the best games ever made. It's one of those games where all the elements mesh together so well that it still manages to be a great game 10+ years after release. There are graphic mods available which I highly recommend (check the game hub for a guide) though they definitely aren't necessary to enjoy the game.

The gameplay is a mesh of FPS and RPG similar to Deus Ex, though gun accuracy does not suffer due to a low skill level. Many objects are interactible and you will need to utilize mouse interfaces quite often. One unique thing about the game is that it does not pause when interacting so you need to be aware of your surroundings so you are not attacked while doing so.

The game uses the old-school style of giving you objectives without marking exactly where they are so you need to pay attention to where you're going and what you're doing. The one thing I wish the game had was markers on the map for mission locations once you discover them as it can be difficult to find them again when you need them.

There is a good variety of weapons for melee, ranged, and psi combat. The guns are very accurate unlike Deus Ex, though the recoil can throw off your aim. Melee combat is definitely a weak spot in the game with the range and hitbox being very short and unclear, as well as the melee attacks being quite slow. There is an overhead attack upgrade you can get that unfortunately makes these problems worse.

Where the game really shines is in the atmosphere, writing, and of course, SHODAN. Even with the very dated graphics, this game manages to be the creepiest game I have ever played. I admit I have not yet played Amnesia, but I do believe System Shock 2 could give it a run for its money. SHODAN is an amazing character, and really adds to that atmosphere as well.

About the game difficulty: I've heard many people say the game is too hard. I didn't have much trouble though I am very experienced with FPS's. I do know that psi builds are very difficult compared to others. Total completion time: ~12 hours.

Play this game! You will not regret it.

L-L-L-Look at you consumers,
P-P-Pathetic creature of money and bone,
Pa-Pan-Panting and sweating as you ponder buying this game.
(how-how-how-how-how) How can you refuse a perfect, timeless game?

The Good:
+ A Very haunting atmosphere. The graphics are dated however a few mods can make it better
+ The scariest game you will play.
+ Fantastic sound design
+ Great RPG mechanics. You can invest in different weapons, abilities, os psi abilities. Essentially you can play the game any way you want to
+ Great story and voice acting

The Bad:
- Graphics are a bit outdated obviously, mods do a decent job but if you love super amazing graphics, you won't find it here
-Some of the objectives have you running back and forth between the same areas. It feels like needless backtracking.
- Last few areas of the game are not fun


Overall:

This is a true classic and needs to be played by everyone. It's not perfect but its still one of the best first person RPG's out there. Its almost sad that Bioshock the spiritual successor to this game pales in comparison to certain aspects that this game delivers.

Doom gave FPS life and System Shock gave it meaning.

I am single, because Shodan set my standards and taste in women too high.

11/10 - Would have ran panting and sweating through the corridors again.

This game needs no introduction. It's regarded as one of the best games for PC ever made, as well as one of the best for its genre... and it is wholly deserving of all its praise. System Shock 2 is a game that defies any real review, to do so would to really spoil the experience. It needs to be played to understand why it is so good, and that is what playing it is: an experience.

The game is a rare example of design, gameplay, aesthetic, atmosphere, and presentation all working in near perfect harmony to deliver an engrossing experience that pulls you in and keeps you going until the final hours are passed. The RPG elements are almost completely free form, allowing you to build your character in almost any way you like focusing on what you want as you want it (though in the early game you'll do well to focus on your initial strengths as to not spread yourself too thin), and while initial enemy placement is pre-determined you'll find out that they respawn with alarming frequency in random numbers and placements to constantly keep you on your toes.

The game is not perfect, mind, and has some flaws. Most notable are the level designs for the final areas of the game don't seem quite as well designed as the rest of the game and some other small nitpicks, but these are minor gaffes in System Shock 2's excellent imageand are easily forgiven. If you like science fiction, survival horror, cyberpunk, body or eldritch horror, free form RPGs, first person shooters, adventure games, or any combination thereof of them, then System Shock 2 is well deserving of your attention. And hell, even if you don't like any of that stuff, it may be worth looking into just to try new things! You might just find yourself surprised.

System Shock 2 (which doesn't expect you to have played the previous installment) is a survival-horror first-person-shooter with role-playing elements, and is regarded by many as one of the all-time classics -- and deservedly so.

The game takes place within the cold metal walls of the FTL-capable spacecraft 'Von Braun', and its piggy-backing sister ship, the 'Richenbacker' -- which, handily, needs a capable grunt to help keep it safe. After a few short (and, thankfully, optional) tutorial VR simulations, you chose one of three 'classes': a gun-wielding Marine, a psi-power controlling Psi-Op (otherwise known as a wizard!), or the middle-of-the-two Navy -- and are then dutifully assigned to the Von Braun on its and humanity's maiden faster-than-light voyage. Put into cyrogenic sleep until needed, you are rudely awakened to find your memory erased and the ship seemingly empty, barring a Doctor Janice Polito who offers you help over your communicator. You quickly find that a force of seemingly alien beings have taken control of the ship and its system-controlling AI (along with a fair amount of the on-board monkey population!), as you and Polito form an alliance to try and regain control of the ship...or at the very least re-enable the needed systems to call for help.

The game plot initially focuses on your player-character receiving orders from Polito, who's quite handily barricaded in her room on the Operations deck. With a primary objective of attempting to reach her and call for help/escape, she keeps you updated with any objectives that need to be fulfilled in order to gain access to further areas of the ship and slow down the advance of the enemy where possible. I say 'initially focuses on' as things soon change, and, without spoiling anything, System Shock 2 will spin the story on its head -- and treat you to one of the most wonderfully constructed plot-twists in gaming history (well, it had more of a kick in 1999, anyway). It isn't ground-breaking story-wise, but it's exceptionally executed, and has left an impression on everyone who's ever played it; Ken Levine certainly engrossed right from the beginning.

The Von Braun itself is split into several different sections, each deck providing a different function for the on-board science crew, and each providing you a different type of environment to explore; from the cramped and radioactive engineering deck to the more open shopping and recreational deck, each section feels individual -- although all of the decks feel as cold and oppressive as you'd imagine a floating tin-can to be. Make no mistake though, the game is quite linear; objectives rarely span more than one deck, allowing you to constantly pursue and explore new and interesting areas -- however you may wish to back-track across previously-visited decks to research artifacts and weapons which will provide you with bonuses for later on.

While there are a few survivors dotted around, you never really interact with them; most of the plot is advanced through either the environment -- with words written in blood covering the walls -- or through voice-logs and emails of the recently dead, much like in the game's spiritual successor, Bioshock. You're never taken out of the game; you're always in first-person perspective, and always quite alone...with mainly just the voices of the dead to keep you company!

System Shock 2 isn't all roses though, especially with age. Games have moved on quite a bit, and without nostalgia to help ignore the flaws, new-comers might find the low-polygon creatures a little cartoonish, the graphics a little underwhelming, and generally just lacking the kind of polish you find nowadays. The game-play itself requires a more cautious-than-usual approach too -- not quite as cautious as the Thief series, but not quite as guns-blazing as most first person shooters -- which may put some off.

If you're not afraid of rough edges and want to experience one of gaming's classic playgrounds, black out your room, slip on some surround-sound headphones, and enjoy.