System Shock® 2 (1999)

A true calssic, despite its rough edges, I still replay this game every year or two and am absolutley floored with the atmosphere and rewarding RPG gameplay. Despite the frustrating moments, there's nothing like it and I doubt it will ever be replicated again.

It is truly difficult to express how advanced and sublime this game is. Very advanced gameplay with immersive sim elements as well as truly dark and moody atmosphere. System Shock 2 is really just something you have to experience to understand. Building of the Dark Engine (used in the Thief games), System Shock 2 is a masterpiece in storytelling, philosophy, environments, gameplay systems, art, music, etc. Truly a worthy sequel that improves upon everything that the original did way back in 1994. This game still hasn't been bettered twenty four years later in its execution.

This game may have old-looking graphics, but make no mistake, everything else about it is top-notch. There's a reason people still play it to this day.

If you've played Bioshock or PREY and are looking to come back to explore System Shock 2, you'll be able to fit right in. After perhaps an hour or so of acclimating to the specific parts that are unique to this one (RPG stats and use of skills), it fits like a glove. It still holds up and it's fascinating to see the roots of this style of Game.

Whether talking System Shock, BioShock, or PreyShock, this one remains supreme and probably always will. The best RPG inspired gameplay for this type of game, the most detailed and interactive level design, the best writing and narrative design of the Shock games, the best enemy design, the best weapon and powers design by far, the best character progression, the best balanced difficulty modes, the best sound design, the list goes on. This game is so rich in gameplay content and thematic content that it overwhelms lots of modern day gamers despite how well designed it and its tutorials are. This game really has everything going for it. Some mild mods are recommended to get the most out of this game, even for first timers. I won't link them since Steam tends to remove third party links now, but check out systemshock.org and follow the "SS2 Newbie Modding Guide" first, then install "SS2 Rebalanced Skills and Disciplines" and finally "SS2 Alarming Cameras (SCP Minimod)". Feel free to check out others as well.