System Shock® 2 (1999)

My expectations were through the roof for this release. I was not let down. From the very beginning, System Shock 2's atmosphere is ridiculously nerve wracking. I spent so many moments in this game sprinting down the hall while reloading. My girlfriend made me jump multiple times as I was playing this game, because I so fixated on the immersive environments. Ultimately, this is Sci-fi Horror at its best. The gameplay is first person RPG with enough upgrades and stat variations to make modern games weep. Some upgrade are useless (for me, much of the PSI powers and energy weapons) and some weapons arrive much too late. Also, towards the end, the game can veer into tedium, but is still always scary. Much of the story is told through logs (a concept re-utilized later for Ken Levine's Bioshock). Luckily the logs are never hoaky and are always unnerving because of the superb voice acting. The ending left more to be desired, but, honestly, this game is a classic regardless of any of its faults. Trust me. Play this immediately! You will not be disappointed (unless you are a soulless sauerkraut).

A pathetic creature of meat and bone, panting and sweating as you run through my corridors. How can you challenge a perfect, immortal machine?" This is quite simply one of the greatest games I have ever had the pleasure to play. It is challenging, atmospheric, terrifying... the words I can conjure up don't do it justice. It is a masterpiece of gaming. For me to get a second chance to play it after having lost my install disc years ago, for finally giving access to those who never had the chance to experience this game in its heyday: Thank you, GOG.

I have a hard time calling anything the best of anything. System Shock 2 is the only product that I feel conferrable saying it's THE BEST.

I have it on my old CDs and it runs well on Win 7 with some tweaks. Many modding sites out there, now using Hi-res graphics. Would love to support GOG and the DRM-free movement, but will probably buy when on offer.

I can't believe it's still this good. This truly is one of those rare games you can still play and enjoy despite the passage of time. So many times I've bought old games I used to love only to be disappointed. Not this time. Shodan, you've still got it. The sound design is what pulls you in. The creepy monkeys and the moans from around the corner. BioShock wouldn't be around if not for this. It's good to be back.