Recommendations?

I know it isn't required to beat the first one to understand System Shock 2 on it's own. But I am just wondering if it is worth it to at least beat the first one, to possibly enhance my first time experience with System Shock 2?

I am on the 2nd level in System Shock 1, and the 3rd/4th area in System Shock 2. I have been playing them simultaneously. But I am curious of what I should do? Beat the first one first? (Or TRY to, lol) ?

http://www.gog.com/forum/system_shock_2/ss1
http://www.gog.com/forum/system_shock_2/beginning_with_ss2
http://www.gog.com/forum/system_shock_2/if_i_can_play_ss1_first_should_i

I'd say you will encounter spoilers - if you can call them that - to SS1's plot if you play too much of SS2 before completing SS1.

You say you're up to the 3rd/4th area in SS2? Without wanting to give away TMI, I'd say that if you haven't met up with Polito yet, finish SS1 first then carry on.

You don't need to play System Shock 1 first as System Shock 2 is different story with different protagonist and all plot behind first game is explained enough in all logs/emails and stuff in SS2. SS2 can be played as standalone will all necessary continuity. You can perfectly understand all story behind SHODAN, Diego and others from there + new plot about The Many.

I personally feel that finishing System Shock 1 first will enhance your experience with the second game. The way the plots are tied together will be much more meaningful when you are familiar with the events of the first game. Of course, I also think the first game was better, so I'm a bit biased. But the ending of System Shock 2 especially will be a lot cooler if you've finished the first game already.

I'm not sure which version of the first game you're playing, but there's a fan-patched version called System Shock Portable that incorporates a mouselook mod that makes the controls closer to what they were in System Shock 2. Since the odd control scheme is probably the hardest thing about the first game, it's worth checking out.

System Shock Portable is hardly 'fanmade'. It's just System Shock with fan patches and mods applied.

True. I edited my post to reflect this.

if you play them in order you will find some really cool reminders of citadel station in the second installment of system shock. if you just want to play the better game, then go with ss1, its superior to ss2 in many ways, which always dissapointed me in some things.

I agree with those saying you should play the original first, it's certainly not required and if the older interface/graphics really bug you SS2 plays just fine on it's own, but knowing the first game really enhances the overall experience. I wouldn't skip SS2 and just play SS1, though I agree SS1 is the superior game. Play them both, they are both top notch.