System Shock® 2 (1999)

This is why I originally signed up to gog. SS2 is like a fine wine. It has nuances, but the game left a taste in my mouth after finishing all those years ago, that is yet to be rivaled. It is thick with atmosphere and as interesting throughout as a sci-fi game can be. This game should be on everyone's gaming bucket list. If you haven't ticked off finishing it, do so now. If you have, you'll know it's worth playing again.

I still remember the very first time I played this game. From the second I almost had my first heart attack on the first level, I was hooked. One of the earliest games to truly mesh multiple game genres into one seamless experience, and still (in my mind) the most successful. The rpg elements add amazing replayability, adding distinct character to each playthrough depending on your choices, and the shooting first-person perspective works perfectly for totally immersing you in the game's world. Combine that with an intriguing story, great sound and music, and one of the most memorable antagonists ever, and you get an unforgettable experience. A true classic. A game which all other games should measure themselves up to. And even after 13 years, and playing MANY other great games, System Shock 2 remains my favorite.

Holy crap, this game. The most requested game on GOG and with good reason, it is a fantastic game. Why is it a fantastic game? Because it sets atmosphere straight in a sci-fi horror setting. This game made me legitimately terrified in every turn as the wrong move can end you up dead as the crew of this ship. The inventory management and weapon degradation system made this game an absolute joy to play as I would spent countless hours roaming every nook and cranny looking for supplies of ammo and med injectors to keep myself alive long enough to progress through some more. Whilst dying doesn't mean a game over, it can still be very frustrating, especially on the higher difficulties. Now, people will probably disagree with me but I think the multiplayer is one of the best parts of this game, as broken as it was in the retail release. The reason for this is because I have a huge interest in roleplaying games in which you can survive with a friend and rummage around for supplies, relying on your friend to bash that hybrid round the face with a wrench to keep it from killing you whilst hacking a particular crate for more supplies. 5 stars, it deserves it.

I have no doubt that to some that this is the best game of all time, and I envy that, as I envy them for playing this game when it was released. What I found as someone who has never played is a fairly dull sci fi horror game that didn't scare me in any real way. Sure it had good atmosphere, but I couldn't get take the easily killed crew mates or the psychic monkeys seriously. There was no tension for me. I bundled through corridors two hitting enemies, taking no damage using the ancient technique of back pedalling. I fail to see how it could be seen as a terrifying experience when your foes are so easily overcome, but maybe the game just isn't for me. As for the antagonist, SHODAN, I found her to be more annoying that scary. A petty gripe, but her constant voice fluctuations made me want to turn the game off more than any of the horror elements did. The story was very good, and apart from the laughably predicable plot twist, the game does a stellar job of telling the story through gameplay and audio logs, keeping you immersed at all times, maintaining excellent pace. It was refreshing to see a game that manages to tell and interesting tale without resorting to constant cutscenes, but rather feeding you bits and pieces of information as you explore the ship. All in all, I would say it is a well put together RPG FPS, with a good story, and a great atmosphere, but that the other elements didn't engage me as much as I had hoped.

Loo-look at you h-hacker, a pathetic creature of meat and bone, pant-panting and sweating as you r-run through my corridors. H-how can you hope to challenge a perfect, immortal machine? System shock combines the intelligent character development and resource management from the likes of Deus Ex with a dark, moody survival horror atmosphere. Try to hold your breath as you creep round a corner and hear the mechanized joins of an approaching Cyborg Midwife, or the distorted mumbling of a hybrid. In short, System Shock 2 is an amazing game and every true GOGer owes it to themselves and their country to play it! :)