System Shock 2

 PC
User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 715 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 647 out of 715
  2. Mixed: 41 out of 715
  3. Negative: 27 out of 715
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  1. CluetasticJr
    Sep 13, 2013
    9
    Needs comic relief, but it is one of the best FPS RPG Horror games i have ever had the honor to play.
    However i found the Multiplayer to be lacking, and the voice of SHODAN to be hard to understand with all the distortion.
  2. Ghob
    Nov 10, 2013
    9
    A pioneer in the Sci-fi Horror genre. The game has an a gripping story (you don't need to play the first one to understand thi one), great atmosphere and really satisfying gameplay, even after all these years since it was released. If you have a chance buy it, and enjoy the game that made the Bioshock and Dead Space franchises happen
  3. KARF4GEN
    May 10, 2018
    9
    Очень жаль, что теперь редко делают столь глубокие повествования.
    Ко всему прочему теперь с увеличением удобства геймлея незаметно ушла душа хардкорность. Некоторые яопнцы делают намерено свои игры "топорами" и называют это харкорным челенджем, 20 лет назад по-другому сделать было и невозможно
    Кому сейчас нужно играть в СС? Тем кто хочет узнать про то как далеко шагнул вперед комфорт и    Очень жаль, что теперь редко делают столь глубокие повествования.
    Ко всему прочему теперь с увеличением удобства геймлея незаметно ушла душа хардкорность. Некоторые яопнцы делают намерено свои игры "топорами" и называют это харкорным челенджем, 20 лет назад по-другому сделать было и невозможно
    Кому сейчас нужно играть в СС?
    Тем кто хочет узнать про то как далеко шагнул вперед комфорт и как далеко остался позади саспенс.
    Надеюсь Левин вернется и перезапустит СС со всеми иновациями и без YOBA, очень надеюсь.    … Expand
  4. PsychopathicTim
    Jun 5, 2021
    9
    There is a HUGE learning curve that you need to get over in order to enjoy this game.... but when you do it becomes amazing!
  5. KolesAdlerov
    Feb 16, 2022
    9
    Irrational Games: the beginning. Immersive sims: the formation.

    Gameplay:
    combat mechanics 7/10
    stealth 7/10
    atmosphere 10/10
    Gameplay as RPG & im.sim: 10/10

    Story 10/10

    Graphics 8/10

    Sounds & music 10/10

    .
    Cheers, K. Levine!
  6. Funksatron
    May 29, 2013
    8
    I played this game in 2013, after playing Bioshock 1 & 2 and in anticipation of buying Bioshock Infinite. The game almost lost me in the beginning. It took a couple hours to adapt to the dated graphics, but after that the plot helped my imagination add in as many polygons as I wanted. This game holds up remarkably well for its age. I feel like its only major flaw is extremely steepI played this game in 2013, after playing Bioshock 1 & 2 and in anticipation of buying Bioshock Infinite. The game almost lost me in the beginning. It took a couple hours to adapt to the dated graphics, but after that the plot helped my imagination add in as many polygons as I wanted. This game holds up remarkably well for its age. I feel like its only major flaw is extremely steep learning curve of the first deck. I could have used more hand holding or more restricted options. I quickly discovered that I had chosen poorly in regards to my specializations. After a couple hours of frustration and a restart with new selections, I found my pace and was enjoying myself. I had minor issues with the map and menu systems. With a minor facelift this game could pass as a 2012 release.… Expand
  7. Medallish
    Feb 20, 2013
    8
    Before we start. I was born in Nov. 85. and was about 14 when this game was released, I remember specifically playing this game with my brother, and although never advancing beyond the first Deck, the game still gave me a lasting impression of it being an amazing game.

    Setting: System Shock 2 is a Sci-Fi Survival Horror game, it all starts on the ship The Von Braun, which is a type of    Before we start. I was born in Nov. 85. and was about 14 when this game was released, I remember specifically playing this game with my brother, and although never advancing beyond the first Deck, the game still gave me a lasting impression of it being an amazing game.

    Setting:
    System Shock 2 is a Sci-Fi Survival Horror game, it all starts on the ship The Von Braun, which is a type of research vessel, and the most advanced ship the human species has manged to build, you get interrupted in your cryo sleep by another survivor, and told that the ship is under some kind of attack. Even today the game manages to make you feel like you're on a space ship, running down corridors down in engineering to fix something, or rummaging around in a cargo bay for clues. And the game doesn't use levels, as such, you often have to go down to lower levels after you've been other places, and if you research objects you'll often try and remember where the last Chemical Storeroom was. You're on a desolate ship with Aliens that hate you, and want you dead, and an AI that won't hide the fact that you're but a puppet or insect to her, doing as she demands. You do hear from survivors every now and then, but it's far in between, and most of the time you just feel like you're working with someone who just hates you a little less than the creatures who wants to kill you do.

    Gameplay:
    I always have 2 fears when playing old games, one of them is graphics, is it so bad that I'll be taken out of the experience? And the second is gameplay, nostalgia is a hell of a thing, and shows us how deceptive our brains can be. I always try and be objective atleast. Imo this game stands up just fine on gameplay, mouse and keyboard just works, and even some of the more different ways of doing things feel natural, like right clicking to interact with things, there's no hand holding, but I was very rarely so lost that I couldn't find my way eventually, although some of the levels for me were a lot of brute forcing just walking back and forth, so that can be frustrating.
    One thing I honestly loved was how much of a panic I was in when I saw a spider because I knew I didn't have enough anti Tox syringes to save myself if I got bit, it caused me to go into such a panic I would just flee and do something insanely stupid, and I don't even have arachnophobia. The combat is the most dated probably. Even the biggest creatures can pretty easily be defeated using melee weapons, although you do have to step back a few times.

    Sound/Music:
    One of the things that completely freaked me out as a kid was the fact that you heard the tormented voices of the infected, saying: I'm sorry! or Kill me! As they were hitting, or shooting you, just the idea of being possessed and doing things you normally wouldn't was a really spooky thing, there's a lot of cool things like that, like you'll hear them speak as they are looking for you, and it seems clear they are very aware of your presence. The music worked really well too, it was weird sometimes when I went through a door, and the music changed to something completely different, but I still really liked the soundtrack, and there was something about the music in the Hydroponics area that made my heart pumping. And Shodan just sounds cool every time she speaks.(Looloolooook at you, hahahaaacker!).

    Graphics:
    Ok this is a bit of a cheat, didn't play it with it's original graphics, I got a texture mod, as well as some model updates, and environmental mods(Plants, goo etc.), and with these mods the game looks great, it's not perfect, but it's a lot better than triangle hands, and square and flat faces. The game looks old if you don't have any mods on it, it might be charming, but the mods I installed didn't make the experience less epic, or scary.

    Conclusion:
    I rarely find myself compelled to play games like crazy, it has to have an interesting story. I got Bioshock after I heard it was basically an alternative take on System Shock 2, but I honestly couldn't be bothered after a while, and I wasn't at all as captivated as I was during my play through with System Shock 2. The game isn't perfect, I hoped there would be a few choices towards the end, but other than that, the game shows that games back in the 90's were onto something, something that's been missing in most recent games.    … Expand
  8. Rem
    Sep 28, 2014
    8
    System Shock 2 presents an interesting layout, you are a military recruit fresh off training stationed at the Von Braun and when like any other game, it all goes horribly wrong. I won't dive into too much plot detail but if you have ever played a Bioshock game, System Shock 2 plays similarly, so much so that it is only recognizable to fans of the Bioshock franchise. However the differenceSystem Shock 2 presents an interesting layout, you are a military recruit fresh off training stationed at the Von Braun and when like any other game, it all goes horribly wrong. I won't dive into too much plot detail but if you have ever played a Bioshock game, System Shock 2 plays similarly, so much so that it is only recognizable to fans of the Bioshock franchise. However the difference between this and its spiritual successor is that System Shock 2 has stronger rpg elements and is more unforgiving. Even with the limited engine of Thief running it, the developers manages to make the game not scary, but rather atmospheric and eerie to a point where noise gave me the chills. The sound design in this game is also fantastic, as it serves the gameplay by identifying which enemy is to be expected. I recommend turning the music off, not only to help the mood and ambiance of the game, but also the soundtrack has a rather uninspired midi-techno that dulls rather than elevates the game. However additional problems also extend into the game with hit detection, predictable and exploitable AI, and the final quarter of the game which loses steam and interest w/ an ending that leaves much to be desired. However, none of this holds back one of the finer PC games back in the Golden Age of shooters and the seat of atmosphere that led to the creation of the Bioshock franchise.… Expand
  9. sft
    Jan 12, 2015
    8
    Shockingly good

    Despite being a 16-year-old game SYSTEM SHOCK 2 has a lot to offer. Yes the graphics look very dated when compared to today’s games but they can be improved by the mod packs readily available online. And it’s really only the visual differences that set this game aside from contemporary titles. It’s immediately obvious that SS2 is the progenitor of the excellent Bioshock    Shockingly good

    Despite being a 16-year-old game SYSTEM SHOCK 2 has a lot to offer. Yes the graphics look very dated when compared to today’s games but they can be improved by the mod packs readily available online. And it’s really only the visual differences that set this game aside from contemporary titles. It’s immediately obvious that SS2 is the progenitor of the excellent Bioshock series. There’s a strong storyline backed by first-rate voice acting. The combat is okay given the game’s age, and the RPG elements are convincing. Personally, I’m not a fan of weapon degradation and repair (thankfully dropped in the Bioshock games) but otherwise the gameplay design is very good. You can pick this game up very cheaply these days and if you want a nostalgic wander down Video Game Lane you can’t go far wrong with this.    … Expand
  10. jumbojet555
    Jul 2, 2014
    8
    Creepy. Entertaining. Brutally challenging. This game will test your will and your guts. It is EXTREMELY tough and will challenge you even on Easy, but the narrative is what drove me to complete it. This is a very grotesque game, set in the farthest reaches of space. A setting I personally like because of its isolation. It is VERY creepy. Perfectly incites horror on a star ship 57 trillionCreepy. Entertaining. Brutally challenging. This game will test your will and your guts. It is EXTREMELY tough and will challenge you even on Easy, but the narrative is what drove me to complete it. This is a very grotesque game, set in the farthest reaches of space. A setting I personally like because of its isolation. It is VERY creepy. Perfectly incites horror on a star ship 57 trillion miles away from Earth, hallways echo with moans of creatures, and looking out windows you can see the bleakness of space. The narrative is intriguing but lets down a bit towards the very end. IF you seek to challenge yourself ALOT yet enjoy an interesting sci-fi horror story at the same time, this is your game.… Expand
  11. AverageReviewer
    Aug 29, 2018
    8
    It's a great game, but might be a little too complex for many players. It's an RPG so shooting is not really about skill, no such thing as a headshot, rather the damage is higher as you upgrade your weapon skills. There are 3 main branches that you get to choose at the beginning. It's much more effective to focus on a few certain skills than trying to be a jack of all trades. When I sayIt's a great game, but might be a little too complex for many players. It's an RPG so shooting is not really about skill, no such thing as a headshot, rather the damage is higher as you upgrade your weapon skills. There are 3 main branches that you get to choose at the beginning. It's much more effective to focus on a few certain skills than trying to be a jack of all trades. When I say complex, i mean there are Tech, Weapon and Psi (space magic) skills that all have sub skills. Plus you get a statistics modifier to increase physical abilities like Strength, Agility, Speed, etc. It will be a little hard to understand everything during the first playthrough. Story is nothing too special, but the charismatic antagonist makes up for it.
    The reason I deducted 2 points are:
    1: Melee: It's very awkward, sometimes you can stun an enemy if you hit the first, sometimes not, it's random. The character also has a very large hitbox so some enemies can hit you even if you're behind their back.
    2:Balancing: I was playing on Hard and by the end of the game i had to use melee too much, because I couldn't find any ammo. As mentioned above, it was pretty awkward.

    For first time players I would recommend playing on normal and without manual saving. It really enhances the experience and there's always a way to avoid game over state, if you die.    … Expand
  12. Awanka
    Oct 8, 2022
    8
    Fascinating to see the precursor to the Bioshock series. So many elements of that game are revealed here in an earlier state. The psionic powers, the voice logs, the hacking and combat. It's like Bioshock 0.

    It also has a pretty great story that delves into all kinds of space horror that is revealed as you journey through the ship. This is a pretty good horror game in its own right.    Fascinating to see the precursor to the Bioshock series. So many elements of that game are revealed here in an earlier state. The psionic powers, the voice logs, the hacking and combat. It's like Bioshock 0.

    It also has a pretty great story that delves into all kinds of space horror that is revealed as you journey through the ship. This is a pretty good horror game in its own right.

    Now for the bad. By today's standards it's a clunky mess in terms of UI and combat. You can work with it, but it's really rough. The RPG elements are more unforgiving than other "shock" games. This is actually kind of hard until later in the game when they rain modules like candy, and it's quite easy to get stuck in progression if you don't have the right build. I recommend reading a character building guide. The game is also often unclear as to what you're supposed to be doing. It will say "go to the command area," but there are multiple command areas on the ship, and what are you supposed to do when you get there? I found myself wasting a lot of time running to different areas trying to figure out how to trigger the next step in the story, and the vague instructions and backtracking only worsened as the game went on. Enemies also respawn relatively quickly, so the more time you spend trying to solve the game's puzzles, the more of a nuisance they become.

    Despite all that, this is a classic game that offers a strong narrative experience beginning to end, and the gameplay more or less works. The FPS elements are ok considering the time that it was released. Like the Bioshock games, you feel deeply engaged and part of the story. Everyone should play this once.    … Expand
  13. BStheBOBI
    Mar 22, 2021
    8
    I played this game for the first time and i must say the game very good. The story itself and the antagonist SHODAN are very good and make the game very enjoyable to push through even though the gameplay part of it is very hard. its kind of an RPG with you searcing for weapons that are degradable, multiple types of ammo, You have this research info which you have to invest cyber modulesI played this game for the first time and i must say the game very good. The story itself and the antagonist SHODAN are very good and make the game very enjoyable to push through even though the gameplay part of it is very hard. its kind of an RPG with you searcing for weapons that are degradable, multiple types of ammo, You have this research info which you have to invest cyber modules for you to know how to kill enemies easier. Pretty much the entire system is well made. While most of the time you will know what to do but how you do it is up to you and you will be lost a lot. A big problem is that if you are poisoned and you don't have anti tox then you will have to reload a previous save. I had to use cheats to get more health and antitoxins because I would make it through at all so if you play it for the first time dont be shy to use cheats. It will make the game more enjoyable. The graphics are a bit dated, especially the character modules....they are horrible… Expand
  14. Jaegar
    Oct 6, 2003
    7
    It cannot be helped. I'm a veteran in this game series. I've played sshock1 through about 10 times and I loved it. Maybe it's just me but I was a bit disappointed. Where did all the cyborgs go? Don't get me wrong I like the game and it's good but I compare it to sshock1 and that cut's the points down. Hopefully WHEN the sshock3 is for sale (I hope for their It cannot be helped. I'm a veteran in this game series. I've played sshock1 through about 10 times and I loved it. Maybe it's just me but I was a bit disappointed. Where did all the cyborgs go? Don't get me wrong I like the game and it's good but I compare it to sshock1 and that cut's the points down. Hopefully WHEN the sshock3 is for sale (I hope for their sake that they'll make one) it has cyborgs and more guns better puzles and even thicker plot.… Expand
  15. procyon4
    Mar 26, 2014
    7
    This is one game for "found memories". Yes, then and because it was a sequel to System Shock, it was great. But today, playing it again, brings back all the drawbacks to the front. It is not a game that, by other mean than pure chance, can be won without cheating. There are less and less ammo and resources as you progress and need it more and more. There is more re-re-re-spawning than youThis is one game for "found memories". Yes, then and because it was a sequel to System Shock, it was great. But today, playing it again, brings back all the drawbacks to the front. It is not a game that, by other mean than pure chance, can be won without cheating. There are less and less ammo and resources as you progress and need it more and more. There is more re-re-re-spawning than you can handle with what the game let you have. It's really an unfair game made for cheaters. If, like me, you like to win a game in normal mode with a normal chance then, unless you get it real cheap, stay away from this one. If you do play it, it will still be enjoyable until you leave the Rickenbacker. After that, quit or put up with lots of frustrations or resort to cheating.… Expand
  16. Sirik_Matak
    Oct 12, 2013
    7
    It's an ok game. An interesting storyline, amazing level design and progression, not to mention open character delevopment and many different ways to solve puzzles and kill enemies. Annoying and broken combat (wrench ftw), many ways to abuse shortcomings anout it. Personally I hated hacking minigames. Anyway, it's a superior title to almost all next gen productions and you can clearly seeIt's an ok game. An interesting storyline, amazing level design and progression, not to mention open character delevopment and many different ways to solve puzzles and kill enemies. Annoying and broken combat (wrench ftw), many ways to abuse shortcomings anout it. Personally I hated hacking minigames. Anyway, it's a superior title to almost all next gen productions and you can clearly see dumbing down process if you compare this to its "spiritual successors" of Bioshock series.… Expand
  17. 2I2l1a
    Apr 28, 2022
    6
    "Remember, it is my will that guided you here. It is my will that gave you your cybernetic implants, the only beauty in that meat you call a body. If you value that meat... you will do as I tell you." The cult classic sci-fi horror FPS-RPG has returned.
  18. KaienShiba
    Jun 16, 2015
    5
    It is very loosely an rpg, unless you happen to read a walk through that has character development, you're up **** creek without a paddle on a river starving piranha, the lack of ammo almost makes you have to create either a melee or psi fighter.
  19. Tigeru
    Dec 17, 2021
    5
    DO. THE. REMAKE. NOW. I'M MEAN IT!!!
    This game is a underrated mile stone of FTP RPG genre
  20. general_tso
    May 10, 2013
    2
    Shock 2 ain't no Looking Glass game that's for sure. Comparing it with the original is like calling mud chocolate mouse. Clunky, silly, unscary, slow, predictable....and no cyberspace. Thumbs down.
  21. ShawnDarichuk
    Jul 9, 2008
    0
    This game is broken to the point of being unplayable. I don't get a gun when I start, I'm told that I can't even use the gun I just found (because people in the military don't know what guns are), and my only weapon is a wrench. Wow, isn't that fun.
    Easily the worst PC game ever made.
  22. Wesp5
    Jun 1, 2023
    0
    Completely over-hyped game! Endless re-spawning monsters you need to fight in melee because firearms always break. Endless backtracking trough the same maps in search for survivors that are always dead when you find them anyway. Endless maze like levels that make no sense for a space ship at all. Compared to the original System Shock, this seems like a very weak copy with a lot of thingsCompletely over-hyped game! Endless re-spawning monsters you need to fight in melee because firearms always break. Endless backtracking trough the same maps in search for survivors that are always dead when you find them anyway. Endless maze like levels that make no sense for a space ship at all. Compared to the original System Shock, this seems like a very weak copy with a lot of things changed for worse.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

2
#2 Best PC Game of 1999
3
#3 Most Discussed PC Game of 1999
3
#3 Most Shared PC Game of 1999

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. FiringSquad
    90
    A gaming triumph...More astonishingly, they've created a system of classes and abilities that are so varied that there's a compelling reason to actually play through the game more than once.
    Read full review
  2. Electric Playground
    85
    A frightening game to the point that I found myself having to take breaks from playing just to ease the tension in my shoulders.
    Read full review
  3. PC Gameworld
    94
    Like RPGs? Like to be scared? System Shock 2 shows that a game can please you on a multitude of levels: visual, auditory, and emotional.
    Read full review
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