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. armadonpower
    Jun 9, 2023
    10
    System Shock 2 is a terrifyingly immersive experience, with deep RPG elements and a haunting narrative that still resonates today. A classic.
  2. 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
  3. DiegoVildez
    Jan 31, 2023
    10
    this game is something else, I enjoyed so much , thanks for everything guys
  4. LuckyLuky
    Jan 10, 2023
    10
    Great game. The best Sci-Fi story. A real creepy environment. GReat combat and research. But the story, oh man.. Î still remember being hunted through those corridors and finding what was left of the crew, and what ahd became of them. Amazing.
  5. ylnylmn
    Dec 17, 2022
    10
    I just finished it for the 3rd time. It is truly an amazing game. An excellent storyline. Perfect level design. Great atmosphere and art design. It's a top notch game for its year. Shodan is very well designed. Her voice is very impressive. Various weapons, various skills. Multiple playability feature. Definitely a must play game.
  6. 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
  7. arostislavna
    Aug 24, 2022
    10
    Cyberpunk done right...this is a classic MUST PLAY.

    (seventy five characters)
  8. 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.
  9. 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!
  10. ReubenIsAGod
    Feb 1, 2022
    10
    System Shock 2 is amazing. Nothing quite lives up to the sheer level of dread and creativity Irrational Games pumped into this nightmare. I loved it, I would argue this might be one of my favourite games. It's just this perfect concoction of surreal sci-fi body horror with immersive sim creativity pumped into it. Highly recommend playing this honestly. Fair warning that it is quiteSystem Shock 2 is amazing. Nothing quite lives up to the sheer level of dread and creativity Irrational Games pumped into this nightmare. I loved it, I would argue this might be one of my favourite games. It's just this perfect concoction of surreal sci-fi body horror with immersive sim creativity pumped into it. Highly recommend playing this honestly. Fair warning that it is quite esoteric at times, and also the rpg elements are confusing. You will have a bad time playing in the beginning, after awhile it clicks and you can start figuring out your most preferred play-style. I was a stealth, energy weapon, pistol wrench Jedi my play-through.… Expand
  11. Tigeru
    Dec 17, 2021
    5
    DO. THE. REMAKE. NOW. I'M MEAN IT!!!
    This game is a underrated mile stone of FTP RPG genre
  12. ShammiSham
    Aug 14, 2021
    10
    This game is good. And amazing level of depth to gameplay and story. Just get it.
  13. ynahit
    Jun 25, 2021
    10
    It was the only game that made me feel anxious when walking through a door.
  14. 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!
  15. Politicalgamer7
    May 26, 2021
    10
    System Shock 2 is so underrated, its impact on out industry is undeniable. It wasn't perfect or flawless but let's see what it did best that made it an instant classic:
    1. Subtle gameplay
    2. Perfect atmosphere
    3. A story that was ahead of its time
    4. Realistic level design
    Sure thr game had flaws as well, to be honest it had many flaws but sometimess something is just too good.
  16. BanjoYarman
    May 11, 2021
    10
    System Shock 2 is one of the most important video games in our industry. Even the original system shock was influential (if you have the patience to go through its dated gameplay) but system shock 2 is a must-play experience for every first-person genre fan.
  17. 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
  18. Hannibaal
    Jun 20, 2020
    10
    Un juego muy especial y ambicioso en todos los sentidos, de los que ya no se hacen ¿por qué? son inviables, las compañias quieren llegar a la gran masa y esta quiere juegos fáciles y superproducciones que destaquen por el apartado visual y narrativo, y sacar un juego como este SS2 tan ambicioso a nivel jugable pero con un apartado técnico de hoy día es inviable, costaría demasiado deUn juego muy especial y ambicioso en todos los sentidos, de los que ya no se hacen ¿por qué? son inviables, las compañias quieren llegar a la gran masa y esta quiere juegos fáciles y superproducciones que destaquen por el apartado visual y narrativo, y sacar un juego como este SS2 tan ambicioso a nivel jugable pero con un apartado técnico de hoy día es inviable, costaría demasiado de producir y lo compraría poca gente, lamentablemente, por eso solo queda la esperanza de estudios independientes que hagan producciones mas modestas pero con esta ambición en el apartado jugable.

    SS2 no es perfecto, tiene algunos desequilibrios en los objetos y habilidades y cosas obsoletas como el spameo de enemigos en los escenarios o la ridícula escena del final, pero merece un 10/10 por lo ambicioso del apartado jugable y diseño de niveles, por cosas en las que sigue siendo superior a la inmensa mayoría de juegos del presente.    … Expand
  19. The_Nametag
    Feb 10, 2020
    10
    A true classic. System Shock 2 sets the survival atmosphere well, throwing you alone with a voice in your ear to survive on a ship where something has gone wrong. The story is pieced together as you play, learning more and more about what happened, how it happened, and who else is alive on the ship with you.

    The game starts with limited resources, trying to balance them as you eek out    A true classic. System Shock 2 sets the survival atmosphere well, throwing you alone with a voice in your ear to survive on a ship where something has gone wrong. The story is pieced together as you play, learning more and more about what happened, how it happened, and who else is alive on the ship with you.

    The game starts with limited resources, trying to balance them as you eek out your survival. In this way, it encourages plenty of exploring. The more you explore, the more resources you find that will help you late in the game. Ultimately, what this really does is limit more than open. Nearly everything in the game is locked behind some kind of skill barrier. That armor you picked up? If you're not strong enough, you can't use it. That weapon? Are you proficient in the right skills? Can you repair it if it breaks, maintain it so it won't break as often? Hacking is essential, as it can - literally - open doors for you that are otherwise out of your reach.

    The game is not perfect. The engine feels fairly clunky today, and it can be very difficult to heal or swap some skills on the fly, particularly when trying to dodge enemies. It suffers from the same ending-going-off-the-rails as Half-Life. And it can be brutally difficult at times, particularly in areas where very powerful enemies like to respawn, and keep respawning. But even now, more than fifteen years later, this game can keep you invested.

    As an added bonus, the Steam version comes with the Multiplayer mod, allowing you to take a friend with you so that you aren't all alone. This does make the game considerably easier as, even though you are sharing resources, you get to specialize and utilize far more tools between the players, since everyone get the same amount of upgrades. There are also lots of community mods and patches to help the game look better, in some cases run better, fix bugs, etc. Don't hesitate to use them if that's your thing.

    Give this game a try and find out WHY it's spoken of so highly by those who've seen it through.    … Expand
  20. TommyLee
    Feb 1, 2020
    10
    A perfect example of horror storytelling mixed with RPG mechanics. One of the best PC games ever made.
  21. nermack
    Nov 10, 2019
    10
    Amazing game. Scary, fun, and well written. Made by the creator of bioshock.
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. jacob4
    Apr 4, 2018
    10
    An incredible cult-classic that basically set up the layout for future classic games like the BioShock trilogy, Prey, and more. Though the graphics may not have held up over the years the game play and story are still great. The game does a great job of creating a creepy sense of isolation and fear through its environment and terrifying enemies. System Shock 2 also provides a nice dose ofAn incredible cult-classic that basically set up the layout for future classic games like the BioShock trilogy, Prey, and more. Though the graphics may not have held up over the years the game play and story are still great. The game does a great job of creating a creepy sense of isolation and fear through its environment and terrifying enemies. System Shock 2 also provides a nice dose of puzzle solving and scary combat that builds up an interesting story though it's quests and hidden lore. For all the gamers who want to kick back and enjoy the games of the early 2000's, System Shock 2 is a must play!… Expand
  25. chip99
    Apr 5, 2017
    10
    this game is truly a masterpiece i remember when i started playing it i was around 12years old and it was too terrifiying for me so i let my 6years older brother play the entire game and i enjoyed watching every second of it .
  26. sherbz
    Dec 11, 2016
    10
    A pure an unadulterated masterpiece! This is the game that in my opinion has the greatest moment in it of all time. Which is truly an accolade in itself for any title. Its also challenging and managed to blend a first person experience as an RPG style, which had not really been done before. So Kudos to the developers as they basically created a new genre in itself. And what I reallyA pure an unadulterated masterpiece! This is the game that in my opinion has the greatest moment in it of all time. Which is truly an accolade in itself for any title. Its also challenging and managed to blend a first person experience as an RPG style, which had not really been done before. So Kudos to the developers as they basically created a new genre in itself. And what I really love about it is that it manages the suspense factor impeccably. A survivor horror shouldn't just be about jump scares. It should reel you in, give you a blanket, and then turn that blanket into a horrifying mesh of unspeakableness. System shock 2 is peerless for its time. And should rightly go down as one of the best games ever made.… Expand
  27. Antioch
    Oct 13, 2016
    10
    I figured I get around to reviewing this game even though my first experience with this masterpiece was back in 1999.
    System Shock 2 today still retains all of it's qualities albeit beeing very dated. You can enhance the game with a few mods that are easy to implement and even have their own guides in the games community hub on steam.
    One of the big strenght of this title is the feel    I figured I get around to reviewing this game even though my first experience with this masterpiece was back in 1999.
    System Shock 2 today still retains all of it's qualities albeit beeing very dated. You can enhance the game with a few mods that are easy to implement and even have their own guides in the games community hub on steam.

    One of the big strenght of this title is the feel of dread and isolation it delivers. The game is an RPG/FPS/Horror hybrid with alot of sci fi done right and puzzle solving. If you're familiar with the “Alien” series of movies and have played another master piece by the name of "Deus Ex" (the original pc version), you already have a good idea of what to expect.

    The atmosphere portrayed within this game is incredibly tense and has a creepy, somewhat disturbing ambience to it.
    I will attempt to explain how the game's plot goes: you are a soldier of a futuristic military force known as the UNN, and accept a mission to go onboard the maiden flight of mankind's latest technological achievement: a starship called the 'Von Braun'. This starship is capable of travelling faster than the speed of light and is the first manned spacecraft to explore beyond our solar system. You are put into hypersleep for six months and while you're asleep, all hell breaks loose. Aliens take over, all the crew is slaughtered and the AI running the ship goes berserk (ala 2001: A Space Odyssey). You however are not discovered and upon waking must find out what happened. And the game keeps your interest throughout the entire game.

    The actual gameplay mechanics, like "Deus Ex", are brilliant for those of us that like games a bit more intellectually challenging than say other horror titles like the newer Resident evil titles or moody fps games like Alien vs predator titles. The story line is presented brilliantly, and character development is unbelievably good. This is a glimpse of how games that are allowed to take risks could be, if the devs don't fall for the run of the mill console cannon fodder dudebro titles. Or at least in my opinion how they should be.
    If you're a budding game developer, this game would be a great place to look for ideas and examples of a quality gaming experience. In conclusion though, I can't really recommend this game enough.

    Summary of some of its traits: A quality game hampered today only by it's age. The ambience is heavy and dark. The atmosphere is one of death and hopelessness throughout, not unlike a good horror movie. It successfully imposes a feeling of isolation and dread. Storywise it is very good but where the game excells storywise is not necessarily in the story itself but in its execution. If you though Half-Life, Resident evil or Alien Isolation were good, you haven't seen anything.
    Gameplay is excellent. It's essentially an intellectual's FPS. It's closest comparison is the original pc version of Deus Ex, other examples are the Thief series (or Ultima Underworld series if you're old fart like me, or atleast old enough to remember), and newer examples are the Bioshock titles wich were inspired by this game.

    I't cheap and can be found both on Steam and GOG and well worth a buy and playthrough.    … Expand
  28. Tib3rian
    Aug 11, 2016
    10
    Simply the game that show ideals of level design, atmosphere and that game can offer to go trough as you. And also represent promises of the whole generation. Remember Citadel? Yes, we remember, as good as the old gaming world, that is unknown in these Godless time. Maybe Shodan-less time too. Hear, this is the game!
  29. doogs
    Dec 17, 2015
    10
    A sheer masterpiece from start to finish. It reeks of that pre 2000 FPS feel and it has aged remarkably well. It has a huge replay value, has the right level of challenge and each time I play it it just gets better. Hands down one of my favorite games of all time.
  30. iseeall
    Dec 14, 2015
    10
    An early mix of action and RPG, which was the inspiration for the more famous Deus Ex game. In System Shock you could use dozens of psionic abilities in addition to a large selection of weapons. Great graphics for the time, excellent GUI, atmospheric music and a horror story about the AI capturing the world. The game was largely under-appreciated when it came out. Unfortunately I couldAn early mix of action and RPG, which was the inspiration for the more famous Deus Ex game. In System Shock you could use dozens of psionic abilities in addition to a large selection of weapons. Great graphics for the time, excellent GUI, atmospheric music and a horror story about the AI capturing the world. The game was largely under-appreciated when it came out. Unfortunately I could never get this game run on Win 7.… 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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