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Still one of the best games I've ever played.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: March 21, 2003
Author: Amazon User

System Shock 2 is hard to categorize, because it blends several genres and styles of games so well. It's a Role-Playing First-Person Shooter Science Fiction Survival/Horror game, with some extra twists here and there. If you wished Half-Life was more like Deus Ex, or you wanted to play the more violent and scary parts of Thief with 22nd century firepower, this is the game you want to play.

Though it's getting a bit dated now, this game was far enough ahead of its time to still be very playable. Where the original System Shock made history as a remarkably immersive story-driven first-person shooter, the sequel goes even further with complex character development elements usually only seen in role-playing games. The graphics scale up smoothly enough to still look impressive on today's faster, higher resolution (and higher polygon count) displays, the sound is of sufficient quality to still be just as effective as most newer, more technically advanced productions, and of course, a great story is never obsolete.

Once you get into a game this immersive, you forget about the technical details that may no longer be as cutting-edge as they once were. Just turn off the lights, plug in your headphones (or surround-sound if you have it), and try to stay alive. If you happen to forget that it's just a game, this one can really scare you. Definitely not for the faint of heart.

The biggest flaw in this game is that the developers just didn't have enough time to fully flesh-out and polish some of the later parts. Certain areas are just less expansive and detailed and finely-tuned than others. The game doesn't significantly suffer from what's missing. It just could have been that much better.

By far the most common complaint about this game is that the weapons break too fast. Personally, I don't consider that a flaw. I like the extra stress factor of having to keep an eye on the condition of my weapons. Unlike most First-Person Shooters, your resources are very limited in this game. Throughout most of the game, you will very rarely have enough ammo to stop worrying about making every shot count. There are a limited number of weapons available, and if you keep firing one until it jams, you have to either expend other resources to fix it or deal with the fact that you have one less gun to work with.

If you really don't like worrying about broken weapons, there is a way to reduce or completely disable weapon deterioration. It's not a menu option you can switch on and off within the game, but the release notes file on the CD explains how to do it, and it's not difficult.

One complaint I've heard about the end of this game is that there are two "final battles" at the end, and the second one is disappointingly easy. I didn't feel that way because I recognized that the first final battle was the climax, and then when there was one more confrontation after that, I thought of it as more of an epilogue than a challenge. This is something gamers just aren't used to, and the only other game I've played that had an "epilogue" after the final confrontation was Half-Life, which has been accused of having the worst ending of any game ever. The ending of System Shock 2 isn't nearly that bad, but it can be disappointing if the relatively short final areas have left you expecting more.

Unfortunately, due to the particular circumstances of the closing of the company that developed the game, Looking Glass Studios, it is very unlikely that there will ever be a third System Shock game.

A convincing 22nd century experience

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: October 10, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I remember the first time I heard the name System Shock 2 from a friend. Well to be honest I said to myself "he must be exaggerating, how good can it be? Probably just another FPS." I am glad that I am dead wrong.

The atmosphere is what makes the game unique. The character graphics are not quite good, even at the time the game was released, but there are free graphical enhancing mods which offset this drawback. The surroundings is exteremely realistic. You feel that you are in a REAL spaceship, where more than 100 people live, with food, drinks and cigarettes around, the magazines they have read before their demise, the theater they watched movies, the sports lounges, the dining rooms.....every single detail completes the feeling that the ship was once a crowded spaceship.

The music and sounds are AWESOME. I can still (after 3 years) remember exactly how those chimpanzees screamed, the electronic voice of the sentinel droids, and the terrifying noise of the cyber assasins. Those sounds are ENGRAVED, CHISELED, IMPRINTED in my memory, probably never to be forgotten.

The storyline is so absorbing that I remember playing for hours just to learn what will happen when I reach my destination. And every NPC had a character of its own which causes you to have feelings towards them, they are far more than mere names.

On top of all this creepy atmosphere, the game is harder than an average FPS. You may find yourself huddled in a dark corner, out of bullets and psionic energy, praying that the hybrid will not notice you before you run to it and smash it to ground with your wrench. EVERY SINGLE BULLET COUNTS, you cannot just go into a killing spree and rain bullets or cryogenic bolts at your opponents.

Some people find the respawning of the monsters annoying but I beleive without that the game would lose much from the atmosphere. There are NO safe spots. There are no places where you say "Oh, I have cleared this place before, I am safe until I go up from the elevator leading to next level" which increases the adrenaline level of the game. Well if you still do not want that much stress, you can download the patch which enables you to turn off monster respawning and fast weapon degrading.

All in all, I haven't yet played a better FPS after SS2 in those 3 years. I hopeful that Half Life 2 turns outto be better since Half Life 1 was surely the second best FPS. If you have patiently read the review until this point, what are you waiting for? Go and buy it, especially at this reasonable price. You will NOT regret it.

A Classic worth revisiting Countless times? Oh yes.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: December 30, 2004
Author: Amazon User

To classify System Shock 2 as a FPS (First-Person Shooter) would not do it the justice it deserves. Likewise, it would be inappropriate to refer to this game an RPG (Role Playing Game,) for it does not operate like traditional RPGs. What then, is System Shock 2? It is a result of a beautiful marriage of these two genres and happens to be one of the most involved and unique games of it's kind. While it carries a quasi-experience system, weapons and items that degrade with use and an impressive storyline that casts you as an unnamed member of the military and one of the few survivors aboard the alien-hijacked, experimental starship Von Braun, it's FPS elements still have a very large effect on gameplay. The most notable and obvious of these elements is the perspective through which the game is played -First person, much as the name suggests. Other such elements include a wide variety of weapons, all with significantly different uses, specifically defined bosses surrounded by lesser enemies and ammunition that must be defeated to pass onto the next level as well as intricate puzzles that could never be worked into a side-scroller, 3rd person, or overhead perspective game.
Research is the key to success in System Shock 2, failing to realize this makes the earlier stretches of the game rough and the later bits extremely difficult, if not impossible to get through. Utilizing chemicals found in specifically marked rooms throughout the ship, your "Cybernetic Rig" as your guide, Doctor Janice Polito refers to it, researches tools, alien organs, and even the occasional vial of anti-annelid toxin to provide you with enhanced damage on specific creatures, new medical miracles, or even new ways to destroy the minions and growths of the cancerous biomass that is slowly consuming your ship.
Most of the System Shock 2's story is told VIA scattered crew logs and voice E-mails from Polito, though apparitions, which the good doctor refers to as "defects in the R-grade [military grade] Cyber implants" occasionally cross your path, replaying events that are often horrific in nature. These add to the overall feeling of suspense in this very dark and at times, gothic game, especially when, upon emerging from a dark elevator into a seemingly uninhabited area of the Von Braun, you are confronted by an apparition which promptly blows his own brains out, then fades away. If this doesn't at least slightly unnerve you the first time around, I recommend that you check your pulse. In even rarer circumstances, you are contacted by the force which is now in near-full control of the ship, a massive communal mass of entities manifested in a steadily expanding boil of neural tissues that refers to itself as "The Many."
Consisting of two separate starships connected by a massive airlock passage, there is plenty of room to explore on System Shock 2. The Von Braun itself consists of six expansive decks and the bridge (which is more of a subset of deck six,) while the Rickenbacker, a military transport resting on the back of the Von Braun, consists of two or three undefined decks and two more separate subsets. Consisting of the body of "The Many" and an unknown area somewhere between the two ships where the final showdown with the intensely vindictive A.I. known as Shodan, (reappearing from the original System Shock) occurs, these subsets are totally separate from the rest of either ship and no crossing-back into other areas can occur once you've traveled this far into the game.
In all, System Shock 2 is an excellent title; it is one of the few that has successfully combined the elements of an RPG with a FPS, while also carrying a considerable amount of substance and mild horror in the storyline.

Wonderful, engrossing gameplay, sad when it ended

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: July 28, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Don't you love to cruise about two years behind the technology crest? All the games are under 20 bucks and easy to run, all the patches are out and everything is good to go.

That said, this is just a fantastic game, appealing to the Role player (choices of three different branches of a futuristic military) the first person shooter (most of the game) and the adventure/mystery gamer as you have to think your way through...and fight well. You have to like sci-fi to really get in this game. But if you can put yourself in a huge spaceship investigating why all the occupants are dead (mostly through the video they left around) you will love this game. Creepy to downright frightening at times, kind of Resident Evilish. If you play lights off\sound up like I do, this game may scare ... you. I am going to go boot it up, it's a lot of fun, though clunky here and there (mostly in setting up a character at first) it kept me going for quite a while.

and the price is right :)

Leave Your Lights On...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: August 22, 2003
Author: Amazon User

I grew up being a horror film fan, and it takes a fair amount of eerie-ness to move me. I've also played hundreds of computer games, many of which tout themselves as being in the horror genre. But enough about me...

"System Shock 2" is easily the most atmospheric and downright frightening game I've ever played. It has a permanent home on my hard drive, thanks to its fair amount of replayability, and absolutely excellent gameplay. Essentially, the game is similar to many "first person shooters" in the way it operates. That's where its similarity to other games stops.

Keep your lights turned on when you play this one..!

"System Shock 2" is a masterpiece of space horror. Your all-seeing and ever-present foe... the supercomputer named "SHODAN"... has my vote as the most diabolical and psychologically disturbing antagonist I have ever run up against in any game. Her horrible "creations" (cybernetic horrors constructed from a combination of robotic machinery and human corpses) are nearly as unsettling. In this dark and ominous game, the tension is quite palpable... you can hear your enemies in the dimly lit rooms and corridors of an *immense* starship, somnabulistically muttering things which will absolutely creep you out. The first time I heard a "Midwife" unit calmy muttering "Babies need fresh meat..." whilst she was murderously searching for me... BRRRRRRRRRR..!!! Let me out of HERE..!!! This game is simply dripping with creepy atmosphere that truly makes one feel all alone, and up against some seriously frightening nastiness. And the *excellent* audio effects add immensely to an already frightening, oppressive, and often frantic experience.

I won't give anything else away. I'll simply give "System Shock 2" my "Best PC Horror Game Of All Time" award. If you can still find a copy of this game, grab it... as I believe it is no longer being produced. Also, a WARNING to parents: I do NOT recommend this game for young people. It is entirely too psychologically disturbing and graphic (especially if one downloads a patch available on the web which updates the graphics considerably). The patched version that I play contains quite a bit of partial nudity (topless and bloody Midwives), and extremely realistic gore. "System Shock 2" has an overall setting and storyline that are decidely adult in nature. Definitely not a game for kids, period.

A big 5 stars, easily. A must have for any mature horror game addict.

Nothing else like it...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: July 15, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I bought this game after reading many reviews from people who consider it to be the scariest game ever made. I went out and bought a new pair of headphones and vowed only to play it at night with no lights...let me say that I now agree with all those reviews. ;) I've had many "OH, S***" moments with this game involving the mouse in the air and my character dying (and me having to take a 30 minute break while my heart rate slowly comes out of the stratosphere).

As far as the gameplay goes, the graphics look dated, but the game IS over 5 years old. The plot is very deep and interesting, and your enemies, SHODAN (along with Xerxes and The Many) are always sure to remind you of their presence. The ambient sound and voice-overs are very well done, and more than make up for the low graphics quality (not to mention the fact that most of the levels are very dark, adding to the ambience and hiding the poor textures).

You can go back to any part of the ship you previously explored, but don't expect it to be free of enemies. They respawn randomly, but the worst part is, the don't respawn very often...you'll be sneaking around every corner, and if you ever get lulled into a sense of security, suddenly a Hybrid will appear right behind you, and then it's over. Time to change your pants and drink some herbal tea to calm the nerves...

It is really in a genre of it's own, part RPG, part first person shooter, and ALL sci-fi horror. I've played scary games before, but this one takes the cake. Not recommended for heart patients or young children :) If you have never played this game, BUY IT NOW!! You WILL NOT regret it.

AWESOME!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: November 10, 1999
Author: Amazon User

If you loved Half-Life, this is a must buy. I am not a big FPshooter fan but SS2 (like Half-life) combines a great story with an incredibly immersive atomsphere. If you have yet to play Quake and its clones do not bother buying them, start with this one. Not for the those wary of the macabre.

System Shock 2 is Premier RPG/Shooter of the year.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: March 25, 2000
Author: Amazon User

System Shock 2 is simply the best rpg/shooter I have ever played. It is superior to Quake 3, Half-Life, and or other RPGs including Balder's Gate. Unlike many shooters, the game has a very detailed story line which emerges the player in a nightmarish world reminiscent of Alien 2 and 2001 Space Odyssey. The graphics are very good, the game engine is very smooth, but the best feature is the sound....it will keep your adrenaline on overdrive throughout the game. The plot line is an extension of System Shock 1, with some very creative twists. I highly recommend the game, especially if you play it alone and in the dark.

Caveat: I do not recommend the game to children undr the age of 12. Although there is no nudity or sexual themes, the game is sufficiently violent, realistic and gory to keep young children (and adults) wide awake at night listening to every sound.

Why do you resist The Many?

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: August 30, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Regardless of what genre you prefer, be it first-person action or roleplaying, you owe it to yourself to experience this game. When I played Half-Life there were at least dozen different times when I thought to myself, "This is the best game I have ever played." System Shock 2 had only one of those moments. I was never crazy about System Shock 2. I have never played the first game, nor have I even heard of it. At that time I was too busy playing Doom, which at that time was what I thought was the best game ever. Oh, if only I could go back and take that box that had the title 'System Shock' out from the bargain bin. I bought System Shock 2 because of two reasons. One being the praise it recieved from the gaming press, another being it was selling for a measly 15 bucks. It was the best deal I ever got. At first, I found SS2 to be a very good game, but I didn't think it was going to beat Half-Life anytime soon. Sure it was scary, and there were times when I was just too frightened to continue. But nothing was going to hold a candle to Half-Life, no way. But then came the time when I went through an unassuming door on the Engineering deck on the Von Braun spaceship,that I had one of memorable experiences I could ever have with my computer.

I don't know about you, but I prefer to use headphones instead of speakers. So imagine how I reacted when I heard a voice, the voice of SHODAN, a self-presumed artificial goddess gone insane, speak to directly to my character. The voice is coming from your head, your mind, and asks you in an almost sad, metallic female voice, why you resist the Many, which then switches to an angry, cold and metallic tone, explaining why you and mankind are inferior to the cosmic influences of the Many. I literally froze, not moving and inch, for fear of facing SHODAN and her minions around the next corner. System Shock 2 is one of those games which deserve more attention. It is truly one of the richest and rewarding experiences you will ever have with your computer. The atmosphere and sound is astonishing, you can actually hear your worst fears, be it the taunting from alien hybrids to run and hide, or the whirring servos of approaching robots coming down a hallway with no other purpose but to seek and destroy. System Shock 2 is not a game like Half-Life, but a journey into your worst fears. Loneliness, and a sense of hopelesess as you run down corridors, desperately looking for a way out while resisting the calls of the Many...

Folks, this is as good as it gets.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: September 06, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I first played this game in Spring of 2003, by which time the graphics of this game were almost primitive. I stuck through the first few minutes to see what the game was like, and it wasn't long before I was sucked in to what is probably the best game I have ever played in my life. This game will scare you to death. It really makes me wonder why more games like this aren't made. Doom 3 actually took most of its style of play from this game. Its very much like Deus Ex, and in my opinion is actually superior. It has a superb storyline played out through emails and data logs with superb voice acting. The atmosphere will really sink into your skin, and when you hear the monsters hunting you down, you'll be ready to jump out of your skin! Be advised, this game is very difficult, and it takes time to get used to. It is not like a regular FPS, you simply don't have enough ammo to go around blasting everything you see. You have to be clever. Play this game, and you will not regret it. It's true that the later levels are somewhat dissapointing, but the game is still well worth it. Five Stars for this game. Oh, and make sure to check out the System Shock 2: Rebirth modification, which replaces some of the graphics with excellent high polygon versions. It really makes the game look ten times better! Just type the name System Shock 2 Rebirth into a search engine to find it.

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