System Shock 2

 PC
System Shock 2 Image
Metascore
92

Universal acclaim - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
9.1

Universal acclaim- based on 715 Ratings

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  • Summary: Like System Shock 1, there will be persistent levels (i.e., drop an item on one level, and you could go back later to retrieve it), gameplay elements like logs, inventory, skills, persistent world, leaning, hacking, rpg elements, multiple weapons and enemies, and a compelling storyline.Like System Shock 1, there will be persistent levels (i.e., drop an item on one level, and you could go back later to retrieve it), gameplay elements like logs, inventory, skills, persistent world, leaning, hacking, rpg elements, multiple weapons and enemies, and a compelling storyline. Unlike most other first person shooters, the purpose of System Shock was not to kill everything in sight; nor was it a "find the key to move onto the next level" game. The plot was always present, but not so confining as in traditional shooters - there was almost always more than one task to accomplish. Levels were realistically designed and had logical reasons behind them. It is the principle of System Shock 2 to continue this game design. [sshock2.com]… Expand
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Hot Games
    100
    The first game was an undeniable classic that could easily be ruined in the wrong hands. We're here to tell you to pack those fears away in a box because this is the dream sequel.
  2. Just Adventure
    100
    Irrational Games and Looking Glass have produced one of the best games I've ever played. System Shock 2 is truly scary, smart, challenging, fascinating, and disturbing. I recommend it to any adventurous adventure player.
  3. Adrenaline Vault
    100
    If playing games is more of a religion than a hobby to you, meet your new bible...System Shock 2 will scare the hell right out of you -- and you'll like it for that reason.
  4. Thunderbolt
    90
    Simply put, the creepy atmosphere is incredible. Forget those survival horror games full of cheap scares and dark alleys. System Shock 2 manages to frighten without succumbing to horror contrivances. Considering this game is six years old, it truly is an achievement. [Aug 2005]
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. All Game Guide
    80
    Utterly immersive in its use of character attachment and amnesiac story-telling, it is a game that will honestly give you the sweats...It's all about replacing your shorts every half-hour or so.

See all 20 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 113 out of 121
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 121
  3. Negative: 3 out of 121
  1. 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 anA 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
  2. Paulie_C
    Feb 9, 2011
    10
    This is one of the greatest and underrated PC games of all time, simply terrifying to play with its unparalleled level of ambient horror thisThis is one of the greatest and underrated PC games of all time, simply terrifying to play with its unparalleled level of ambient horror this is the RPS that defined the genre and has set the standard for future games in this category. Dead Space/Bioshock/Deus Ex - all the others stem from SS2 and it's no surprise why.
    The gameplay is superior to SS1 and the sound and voice acting are some of, if not the best I have ever heard in my years of gaming. To me reviewing this in 2011 after playing it for about 8 years - this is the pinnacle of PC gaming and if you can get your hands on a copy and get it running then you are in for a world of horrific joy!    … Expand
  4. 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.
  5. Suicidemoon
    Mar 7, 2013
    10
    Having never found the game in 99 to buy i picked it up on GOG after having played the demo in 99. I must say it makes Deus EX look like aHaving never found the game in 99 to buy i picked it up on GOG after having played the demo in 99. I must say it makes Deus EX look like a dumbed down console tard game! System shock 2 is the best GAME EVER MADE. All kinds of options and skills and weapons. Scary as hell and a story that is top notch. The RPG elements are great and the skills and just beg you to replay it. The coop is also great and doesn't cause to many problems with one person. GET IT ON GOG or STEAM SOON!… Expand
  6. CsendesMark
    Mar 9, 2012
    10
    This game is one of my all time favorites, not because it's good graphic or fancy characters, but the awesome story and epic atmosphere. TooThis game is one of my all time favorites, not because it's good graphic or fancy characters, but the awesome story and epic atmosphere. Too bad, current games are lacking those elements. I am waiting for the new episode more than 10 years now, and still hoping someone can do it right!
    Best mix in FPS-RPG elements, just like Deus Ex one.    … Expand
  7. GeorgeA
    Feb 3, 2013
    9
    Amazing game. Everything is polished and well-made: complex level design and inspired environments(for 1999, at least), excellent sound, greatAmazing game. Everything is polished and well-made: complex level design and inspired environments(for 1999, at least), excellent sound, great electronic music, good story, multi-dimensional and fleshed-out characters you never actually meet and yet you care about them, mostly balanced RPG elements, which allow multiple ways to develop your character thus enabling high replay value. The atmosphere isn't as soul-crushing and horrifying as it probably was when released, but it's still there for the most of the time. Sometimes it's brutally hard and does have some stupid design choices(once the script required me to buy some item in order to continue the story, but I lacked the necessary resources, so I was forced to scavange the entire ship for the remains).Note that, this review isn't coming from someone suffering from nostalgia goggles. I played Bioshock and Bioshock 2 before System Shock 2 and in my opinion this cyberpunk-themed masterpiece surpasses both of them in every way imaginable(except for graphics, of course). Strongly advised, especially for Bioshock fans, who must see what their object of fascination basically was: an OK steampunk-dieselpunk game which takes gameplay concepts, story structure and even characters from System Shock 2 and "streamlines" it. In all, a must-have without any doubt, despite the game showing it's age… Expand
  8. 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 troughCompletely 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

See all 121 User Reviews

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

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