System Shock® 2 (1999)

Yes, the graphics are dated, but it's the gameplay that makes this a classic. Just finished a playthrough 14 years after my first trip, and am in awe of the details of this masterpiece. The sound design will have you scared to play this alone in the dark, always on the edge of your seat. The level design is complex and convoluted; none of your self-guided levels here! The RPG choices have meaning; your character will be unique, with strengths and flaws of your own choosing. The combat is challenging, but there is usually an alternative to the run-and-gun if you stop to think. The plot is as layered and twisted as the finest mystery. This game has lessons for all the game studios of today, and sets a standard that has been difficult to match for 14 years. If you've never played it, you owe it to yourself to play System Shock 2

Only played the demo of this back in '99 (my PC couldn't run it so well, so I held back from purchase...such an idiot) but the memory stayed with me so clearly that I had to get this and return to the Von Braun. I've put in about 5 hours so far and am over the moon: such a perfect gaming experience. Yes, Deus Ex and BioShock have taken up its strengths and run with them, play those games too, but make sure you get this because, frankly, it's so well made and so charmingly twisted, you won't regret it.

Between the story line and and the sound track yo get a game that plays like it should and keeps you sucked in regardless of how many times you've played it.

I played this game when it came out, and to date I have not found another game that shared the same experienced as SS2. This game, basically, is legendary. First person, with many RPG aspects, and the fact that it was created over 10 years ago is incredible. Great plot, amazing gameplay, very atmospheric, but as with all games, flaws exist, but are easily brushed off. I recommend this to anybody who really enjoys campaigns.

I bought the game in 1999...and immediately bought windows xp (which id did not work on...). Off and on, for the next 11 years, I would attempt to get it working. FINALLY, last year, I found the steps to fix it, and played it. Folks, if you are into FPS games like Bioshock, these are the guys that MADE Bioshock. Even with the slightly dated graphics (which you can find some mods online to "pretty" up), this game holds up. You will twitch, sweat and jump out of your seat many times, and love every minute of it. But do yourself a favor, and don't wait 11 years...