I used to believe that SS2 was the strictly better version of SS1, but having just replayed the original... I'm reevaluating that opinion.
The first time I played System Shock, it was after the sequel had already endeared itself as my favorite game, and so I wanted to finally check out the game that started the legacy. I remember at the time that in spite of the wonky controls and the cramped screen, I was thoroughly impressed.
"It's no SS2" I thought to myself. "But it's pretty good, I'm glad I played it once." And that was all I thought was warranted.
However, with the enhanced edition providing mouselook control and full screen resolution, I decided to give it another go, 17 years after its original release.
It's one of the best games ever. Absolutely. It is immersive, and action packed, and tense, and engaging, and terrifying, and smart, and, just really really fun. I decided to play it on the hard story mode with the 7 hour time limit (I made it! 6 hours and 36 minutes) and let me say: it is exhilarating running through a labyrinth of service panels blasting away cyborgs and mutants while hacking a locked door to get access to SHODANS computer nodes and then using stimulants to sprint down a hallway to preserve precious seconds that are mercilessly ticking away.
I don't know of any other game that utilizes so many different game elements and ideas so well in establishing the atmosphere and setting of its own world. I used to think the sequel, but even SS2 lacks much of the elegance of SS1's design. It is equal parts action game, metroidvania game, puzzle game, platform game, and yet none of those different aspects feel forced or out of place. They all dynamically intertwine to bring your experiences on Citadel Station to life.
I also love in the original how deliciously bad SHODAN is. It truly feels like an over-powering, uncompromising inhuman threat. When she foils your plans and mocks you for it, man, it stings.
But it makes beating her glorious.
