System Shock® 2 (1999)

One of the greatest FPS-RPG horrors games. Get headphones, turn off the lights and get into one of the best PC games. I've played this gem a long time ago twice as You can play the game with different builds like more psionic powers or more weapons skills. As this game is as much FPS as it is RPG. You will get skills to invest points into (cybermodules), vending machines, enemy research, weapon repairing or hacking. But also a lot shooting with good story. There are probably a lot of mods to improve graphics but other than that game is almost perfect. Sound is god like. Specially the enemies like cyborg midwifes or protocol droids. I don't know what Night Dive Studios changed in GOG version but original was almost perfect. A bit unbalanced as some builds were too OP, still there is a lot to experiment. Also ending cinematic is well bad so this game is only 9,9/10.

Another ultra-rare (for me) 5-star review. Well, 4.5 stars rounded up! First thing I thought was, "Yuk! Another Blood 2!" when I saw the graphics and animations and the general feel of movement through the game world. Easily as low-poly, dull, bland coloured and downright ugly as Blood 2's "Monolith engine". But when I got playing it was "YES! It's Deus Ex all over again!". Ok, it's not *exactly* like Deus Ex, but the RPG style character progression and useage of an inventory and choice of going for a brute force fighting character, a stealthy spy or a technical hacker makes it quite similar. Deus Ex is better, but System Shock 2 is a close second. Every one seems to call this a major landmark of classic gaming from the turn of the century period like Deus Ex, well, I did experience Deus Ex, but I never played SS2. I played SS1 but was hampered by having a PC too poor to really run it at the time. I can see how it has got it's reputation built up over the past 24 years! But again, it does also show it's 24 years of age in it's gfx. Poor cosmetically, but superb functionally (where it really matters)!

I admit I didn't play this game in its time, which I don't doubt is where the amazing amount of hype originated. I'm sure its another case of "you had to be there", but that's not to say it wasn't an enjoyable game, and a very worthy addition to gog. Yes, I *really* enjoyed it, but I can say with the certainty of a veteran gamer that it is still grossly overrated. In no way does it live up to the "OMG THEY JUST DON'T MAKE GAMES LIKE THIS, ITS SO UNIQUE" fanboy screaming that made me curious enough to buy it. It looks great for the time, the controls are decent, the story was... predictable, at least to me (but to the game's credit, the concept wasn't as overdone back in '99) and the character development is deeper than many full-fledged RPGs. However, at the end of the day, it is JUST a decent shooter with RPG elements. I do recommend it, but just realize going in that it's not the holy-grail-of-gaming-that-will-never-be-topped that many would have you believe. Enjoy it with realistic expectations.

Sound Design. There are many parts of this game that are dated, and perhaps unimpressive to many. But the thing is, System Shock 2 is a genuinely creepy game. Try to play it in the dark with headphones, try. I played it for the first time ever last year, and was totally consumed. By no means is it an air tight experience, in fact I recommend turning off the music until a second play-through. Nevertheless SS2 has the telltale storytelling polish of the all the old 0451 Games, and what sloppiness remains usually adds to the charm. If you like survival horror, or like distinct FPS games this is a "must play" situation.

The best thing about this game is how engrossing but also how unsettling it is, it creates a real tension, using twisting turning corridors (although it’s far from being linear) and some great atmospheric sounds which really give you the creeps. To get the best effect, a strong tip is to TURN OFF THE GAME MUSIC and just have the ambient sounds, it’s the way the game should be played IMO The game really makes you think, as well needing to be quick with reactions – as you make your way through the big spaceship the previous decks are still open and you sometimes have to return to them but they're never fully cleared and every time you open a door you don’t know what’s on the other side TIPS on playing the first time (no spoilers) DEFINITELY play on ‘Normal’, pick ‘navy’ and give yourself extra shooting, strength and hacking skills in training Then focus on upgrading stats (STR, END, CYB), tech (Hack) and weapons (get to full Energy and Standard, plus some Heavy). Unless you play as Psy, only get basic psy ability plus the skill to pull things towards you The best weapons are: assault rifle, EMP rifle (great for droids, cyborgs), grenade launcher and keep a wrench / energy rapier. You don’t need ‘exotic’ weapons, though on repeat playthrough they'll give a new experience. And the upgrade ability to see the full map of a new deck straight away is very useful So, on the mods, I used: SS2 Tool Jock's no spiders mod (essential for arachnophobes!) Texture update Four hundred texture update Vurt’s hi-res space scapes Enemy models Weapons designs Neq quest notifier Also I removed weapons degradation, personally I think having weapons degrade after just a few uses isn’t realistic Lastly switch off your lights and play in the dark - enjoy!