The first thing that strikes me about System Shock 2 is how hostile everything in it feels. The odds are stacked up against the player, there's very little ammo, guns are constantly on the verge of breaking, near everything has a skill requirement which you often won't meet and the station keeps pulling out new tricks and ambushes constantly. It's a fight of one against many, and it gets tough, especially in the early game. The survival horror elements are at their most prevalent here and combined with a constant unnerving atmosphere and with the unpredictability of enemies which could be around every corner the tension never quite goes away.
And while the game did constantly keep me on my toes, it is also a game that feels like it can be conquered, as i built my character and as more and more options became available, the odds became more manageable, even if the game didnt ever let me get completely comfortable. Playing smart is rewarded and there's an immense satisfaction in cleanly taking down an enemy who was a nightmare beforehand without even taking damage. The character building is one of the most enjoyable parts, slowly growing an arsenal and a defined playstyle, being able to choose how to go up against the constant threat of the Von Braun in your way. All this makes for an exceptionally engaging game, each deck a battle for survival, listening out for enemies, weighing the options of what's the best way to take them down with what's available, thinking forward about what's the best skill to invest in next and scavenging for resources that are crucial to making it out alive. The reconstruction machines also help make the gameplay loop a bit smoother instead of the usual quick save quick load fare. I almost kinda wish that there was a harsher punishment for death in the later game than the at that point very insignificant 10 nanites, but i also am not sure how that could be balanced well so it's not a huge issue. The game also has quite a bit of replayability, with how many ways one can go about its upgrades.
This constant uphill battle is supported by the great presentation, especially on the audio side of things. Enemies are often heard before they're seen and there's a constant droning cold ambience through the ship's sometimes sterile and eerily empty, sometimes disgusting and fleshy halls. The soundtrack has a harsh contrast of energetic techno and dnb up against slow brooding dark ambient and it ends up working surprisingly well. The aggresive electronic tracks are like a boost of adrenaline, both mirroring the onslaught of enemies and pumping up the player to deal with them. Plus all of them ABSOLUTELY bang. But when those tracks stop and only quiet unnerving ambience is left, the paranoia settles in and the harsh contrast honestly made me feel it even more.
The many are a perfect antagonist for a game like this, they mock and pity the player's loneliness, and it feels like they're always watching, an ever present threat that there's no escaping from and which even occasionally speaks to the player directly in their choir of voices. Finding audio logs of crew members converted to their cause is always chilling. The scariest thing is how at times, it does really feel like they are superior to humanity, how they could really end all our discord. To quote a log found near the end of the game: "With only a few short years of evolution, they've been able to conquer this starship, mankind's mightiest creation. Where were we after forty years of evolution? What swamp were we swimming around in, single celled and mindless?" The voice acting can be hit and miss but i think it works very well for the vast majority and there's a lot of really interesting bits that add a lot to the overall atmosphere of the game. Shodan's role in the game can feel a bit passive in terms of what she actually does, but she has an immense presence otherwise in her voice acting especially and is absolutely a memorable antagonist.
There's a bunch of design decisions i feel don't work as well, some weapons and abilities will become available very late game and by the time the player is likely to get them it feels like they aren't really nearly as useful, especially considering the point investment necessary into them (though there are probably builds that could make them work). This leaves a bunch of potential on the table that isn't fully used which i think is a bit of a shame. Some skills are also notably less useful than others. The game also has a slight decline in quality after getting to the rickenbacker and the following areas, the first 5 decks were definitely the most engaging parts for me, even if the latter parts do still have their high points. The ending is admittedly stupid and strange but it's also kinda funny in just how abrupt the tone shift is. It feels as if a joke ending was canonized and i honestly in some weird way love it for that? It's certainly memorable if nothing else.
System Shock 2 is an amazing game that still holds up very well today. It can be difficult to get into but that hostility is an essential part of the experience. It is a game which works exceptionally well in how its mechanics enhance the atmosphere and overall tone without sacrificing any of their depth. It has sunk its hooks into me and despite finishing it not that long ago i am already thinking about giving it another shot, likely to finally tackle the higher difficulties.
And while the game did constantly keep me on my toes, it is also a game that feels like it can be conquered, as i built my character and as more and more options became available, the odds became more manageable, even if the game didnt ever let me get completely comfortable. Playing smart is rewarded and there's an immense satisfaction in cleanly taking down an enemy who was a nightmare beforehand without even taking damage. The character building is one of the most enjoyable parts, slowly growing an arsenal and a defined playstyle, being able to choose how to go up against the constant threat of the Von Braun in your way. All this makes for an exceptionally engaging game, each deck a battle for survival, listening out for enemies, weighing the options of what's the best way to take them down with what's available, thinking forward about what's the best skill to invest in next and scavenging for resources that are crucial to making it out alive. The reconstruction machines also help make the gameplay loop a bit smoother instead of the usual quick save quick load fare. I almost kinda wish that there was a harsher punishment for death in the later game than the at that point very insignificant 10 nanites, but i also am not sure how that could be balanced well so it's not a huge issue. The game also has quite a bit of replayability, with how many ways one can go about its upgrades.
This constant uphill battle is supported by the great presentation, especially on the audio side of things. Enemies are often heard before they're seen and there's a constant droning cold ambience through the ship's sometimes sterile and eerily empty, sometimes disgusting and fleshy halls. The soundtrack has a harsh contrast of energetic techno and dnb up against slow brooding dark ambient and it ends up working surprisingly well. The aggresive electronic tracks are like a boost of adrenaline, both mirroring the onslaught of enemies and pumping up the player to deal with them. Plus all of them ABSOLUTELY bang. But when those tracks stop and only quiet unnerving ambience is left, the paranoia settles in and the harsh contrast honestly made me feel it even more.
The many are a perfect antagonist for a game like this, they mock and pity the player's loneliness, and it feels like they're always watching, an ever present threat that there's no escaping from and which even occasionally speaks to the player directly in their choir of voices. Finding audio logs of crew members converted to their cause is always chilling. The scariest thing is how at times, it does really feel like they are superior to humanity, how they could really end all our discord. To quote a log found near the end of the game: "With only a few short years of evolution, they've been able to conquer this starship, mankind's mightiest creation. Where were we after forty years of evolution? What swamp were we swimming around in, single celled and mindless?" The voice acting can be hit and miss but i think it works very well for the vast majority and there's a lot of really interesting bits that add a lot to the overall atmosphere of the game. Shodan's role in the game can feel a bit passive in terms of what she actually does, but she has an immense presence otherwise in her voice acting especially and is absolutely a memorable antagonist.
There's a bunch of design decisions i feel don't work as well, some weapons and abilities will become available very late game and by the time the player is likely to get them it feels like they aren't really nearly as useful, especially considering the point investment necessary into them (though there are probably builds that could make them work). This leaves a bunch of potential on the table that isn't fully used which i think is a bit of a shame. Some skills are also notably less useful than others. The game also has a slight decline in quality after getting to the rickenbacker and the following areas, the first 5 decks were definitely the most engaging parts for me, even if the latter parts do still have their high points. The ending is admittedly stupid and strange but it's also kinda funny in just how abrupt the tone shift is. It feels as if a joke ending was canonized and i honestly in some weird way love it for that? It's certainly memorable if nothing else.
System Shock 2 is an amazing game that still holds up very well today. It can be difficult to get into but that hostility is an essential part of the experience. It is a game which works exceptionally well in how its mechanics enhance the atmosphere and overall tone without sacrificing any of their depth. It has sunk its hooks into me and despite finishing it not that long ago i am already thinking about giving it another shot, likely to finally tackle the higher difficulties.