Subm.: System Shock 2

T

The_Onesin

First time out of the vault
Systemshock2box.jpg


What is this game?

- System Shock 2 is a first person hybrid FPS/RPG developed by Through the Looking Glass, released in 1999. This game plays like your typical FPS game until you see inventory, character stats, and loads of interactions featured in the game.



Setting?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr4lL_Rd_-o[/youtube]

- Well long time ago in the galaxy far far away... Humanity developed two space ships called Von Braun and Rickenbacker which are planned on voyage to find another planet where humanity could live.

Before this event, there was an evil AI called SHODAN who basically got cybernetically raped by a hacker and seemingly bitched out of the earth. Just know that something called SHODAN came and went.

In the awesome voyage, Von Braun encounters a planet which seemed to feature some interesting specimens. So they picked those up and were continuing on with the journey.

Then all of a sudden, when you, a soldier on board, woke up from your cryogenic sleep, you find that the space ship Von Braun have been infested by some malicious evil aliens. So you march on to survive and escape from Von Braun...



Features

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- System Shock 2 features extensive RPG elements such as inventory and character development system. You have character attributes which work similar to common 'Strength, Vitality, Dexterity, Intelligence' format that many RPGs have. You can also increase and use the skills you learned. There are many skills to choose from and use, including skills such as hacking, repairing, researching, and many more.

There is also horror in this game. Oooh yeah there will be horror. This game is one of the primary influence to recent 'Dead Space' series in that you are isolated in a large space ship with grotesque monsters chasing after your ass from everywhere.

You can also earn and use currency called 'nanites' which you can use to buy some ammos from dispenser, or to upgrade something. There is also something called 'Cybermodules', which are used to upgrade your skills and attributes.

There are also ALOT of items to be found literally everywhere. These can range from your typical handguns to some strange alien materials to research and use. One of the strong points of this game is variety in that you will always find something to use, research, and shoot.

Oh and did I mention those cool psychic powers you can use? If you choose to play an intelligent character with strong psychic ability, you can choose the path of a psionic. Just be aware that playing such a character in this game is quite challenging, but fun.


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOKuImfNcAo[/youtube]

Also the way this game handles the story is quite interesting. Although someone will always tell you what to do and achieve, you can always look for all the audio logs to actually find out what went wrong and what did the other characters do. The game never tells you 'Why' in such a detail. It is up to you to find out.



Some things that get in the way

- First of all, this game is easy. Well your first time is going to be tough, but once you get how the game works, it will be a walk in the park even in the impossible difficult due to some big balancing issues.

Speaking of balance, not all the skills in this game are useful. Some are MUCH better than others, while some are utter trash and scream 'lol noob' at you if you waste your cybermodules on them.

Also the last few sections of game leave a lot to be desired. Apparently the game was released in bit of a hurry, and some sections may not look so consistent.



In the end..

- This is a game every gamers should play at least once in their life. The way this game handles the FPS and RPG elements are brilliant. Although there are balance issues and exploits, the systems themselves form harmony so well.

Also in terms of graphic and sound, this game did an excellent job in portraying how it is like to be isolated in a space ship far far far away from you home with horrific monsters.
 
Care to explain to me why Per? It certainly has heavy RPG influence in it. If you consider Diablo 2 as an RPG (although its a mouse click item showoff fest), I definitely think System Shock 2 is RPG/FPS game. I already told it is a 'hybrid' game as well. Some more detailed opinion on your side will be appreciated.

And 'not at all'? What do you mean by this? There are already a lot of RPG elements in this game which makes it hard to say its 'not at all' an RPG game.
 
I just don't consider skills and inventories to be defining "RPG elements", they're just elements that are typically found in RPGs. I wouldn't say the Diablos are RPGs either, for instance. Far more important is what a game offers in terms of choice, and the choices presented to you by SS1+2 are primarily those of a shooter.
 
If we go that route, then Mass Effect series, which actually offers in-your-face MOAHRAL CHOICESES would be more of an RPG than System Shock 2.

Now... that just isn't right. Those "choices" are just glorified IF-THEN statements. Mass Effect's dialogue "system" is just a glorified "press forward to continue" button.

System Shock 2 has more environmental interaction and approaches to solving problems than Mass Effect.

In overall, the complexity of programming behind its RPG mechanics rivals Mass Effect. It offers _more depth_ and gameplay-based non-linearity. That is harder to design, and that, IMO, makes it a better RPG.
 
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