Ahh, System Shock 2 ... the word 'classic' gets thrown around a lot these days where games are concerned (justifiably so in some cases, not so in others), but this game deserves that handle and then some. This piece of gaming magic was one of the very first proper RPG-style games I ever played (got a late start in the genre) and I was hooked right from day one. The atmosphere of the deserted hallways on the Von Braun is still, in my view, the finest piece of game design I've ever seen. (The haunted hotel from VtM: Bloodlines comes second - brr!) The RPG elements (stats and such) are detailed enough to allow a wide range of character builds catering to various play styles but not so onerous as to induce boredom with the whole thing. True, the graphics are prehistoric compared with what we're used to nowadays but with a game that plays this well, who cares?? After nearly fifteen years of gaming across various systems and generations and having played some truly fine games (and others not so, for my sins) System Shock 2 holds a place of honour on my gaming roster and shows no signs of being ousted any time soon. Kudos to Irrational and Looking Glass for getting it so right and MEGA kudos to GOG for bringing this gem to a new generation!
