System Shock® 2 (1999)

A game likely to leave you in a claustrophobic, nervous wreck of a state when first released, this game still has the power to chill. Also one of the earliest games I can remember featuring a fully fledged cooperative multiplayer campaign capability. Just forget the Psi Corps unless you want a 'hardcore challenge.'

This game was one of those games that is a touchstone for video games. It defined not just a genre, but what games are capable of. A truly impressive level of immersion unlike any other experience. This is quite possibly one of the best ways you could spend your time.

I purchased it when it came out. It was SO creative, unique, and innnovative in it's day. It was the FIRST game that REALLY made me jump and scare the BLEEP out of me! Too awesome this has been released! 5 stars!

I think it speaks volumes about my obsession with SS2 that I kept a dual-boot Windows ME setup well into 2007, to the point of swapping in an ME-compatible GPU when needed, just so I could keep replaying this game. So clearly I'm biased - but if you have any sort of regard for games like Ultima Underworld, Deus Ex, Thief, Arx Fatalis, Stalker, Bioshock, Dead Space or Dishono(u)red, then you need to give this a go. It really is a legitimate contender for best game ever. Yes, the character models have aged attrociously (as have Thief's - thanks, Dark Engine!), and the sharpness of the design tapers off a little right at the end, but it still feels fresh and apart from Ultima Underworld is still the only one of the games I've mentioned that I've been able to play through more than once. As other reviewers have suggested, try it with some of the unofficial patches - they'll soften the graphic blow somewhat.

i never believed i would play this one through when i bought it. But i couldnt stop playing till the end. Its simply brilliant. But I had one problem at the end. The final encounter did not start. I hope it was just a problem with my game and not for everyone. I had to watch the ending on youtube.