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System Shock 2 pc Game Reviews
System Shock 2
Critic Score
Metascore: 92 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
9.0 out of 10
based on 20 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 52 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game

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]

PUBLISHER: Electronic Arts
DEVELOPER: Looking Glass Studios - Irrational Games
GENRE(S): Role-Playing Game, Action
PLAYERS: 1
ESRB RATING: M (Mature)
RELEASE DATE: July 31, 1999

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100
Hot Games
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.
Read Full Review
100
Game Revolution
Bar none, the best FPS game to come down the pipe in quite awhile...By successfully blending the RPG and action elements, System Shock 2 has assured its place in gaming history.
Read Full Review
100
Adrenaline Vault
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.
Read Full Review
100
Yahoo! Games
Even with the amazing achievements in other areas of the game, one of the most under-appreciated, but ultimately useful, components of SS2 is its interface.
Read Full Review
100
Just Adventure
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.
Read Full Review
100
GamePro
Never has a game gripped my attention so completely, it was able to throw me from my chair while trying to dodge an attack, lean forward to be one inch from the screen, or throw my mouse off the table in an effort to get away from an enemy.
Read Full Review
100
Computer Games Magazine
It's scary, it's atmospheric, it has a great plot, and it rewards the thinking player more than the fragaholic.
Read Full Review
95
PC Gamer
One of the most immersive, emotive, addictive, and just plain fun computer games we've ever played. [Oct 1999, p.122]
94
PC Gameworld
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
93
Gamer's Pulse
The creators of the game must have had an affinity for the art of suspense because this game was a thriller all the way through. Top it all off with absolutely wonderful gameplay, be it puzzles or action, and you have the masterpiece that is System Shock 2.
Read Full Review
90
FiringSquad
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
90
IGN
An amazingly well crafted example of the genre that combines raw action with horror and suspense to deliver a gameplay experience that is very different from anything else on the shelves.
Read Full Review
90
Thunderbolt
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]
Read Full Review
88
Gamezilla!
Boy, did System Shock 2 suck me in and not let me go. It’s been two weeks since I got this game and I look forward to playing it every day.
Read Full Review
85
Electric Playground
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
85
GameSpot
A hybrid game that effectively blends elements from a variety of genres into a thoroughly enjoyable and accessible package.
Read Full Review
85
GameZone
Despite my grumbling about the artificial intelligence,...what I enjoy about System Shock 2 is the high degree of freedom you have in deciding what directions to develop your character.
Read Full Review
82
Game Over Online
While not as incredibly rich and engrossing as "Half Life" (though, frankly, I got bored of that faster than I got bored with SS2), it is nonetheless a very solid game.
Read Full Review
80
All Game Guide
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.
Read Full Review
80
Happy Puppy
There is only one major criterion System Shock 2 fails to hit. Graphically, it isn't so special.
Read Full Review

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 9.0 (out of 10) based on 52 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Andrew G. gave it a10:
Probably inferior to Half-Life in its scenic variety and execution - but a far more compelling story, with intelligent and very well balanced rpg elements - Story and depth - this is as games should be. Better than BioShock, by a country mile. We need a System Shock 3.

SHODAN gave it a10:
Very intelligent game design with near flawless execution. The art and sound direction contructs a thoroughly believable, atmospheric setting laden heavily with tension. It really does seem that you are 6.5 billion miles from Earth, utterly on your own, and that the ships were once well lived in. The nature of the antagonist as all-pervasive is brilliant in instilling a sense of futility. There are just so many design decisions here that seem so well thought out, even insightful. Brilliant.

B Barage gave it a10:
Everything that Bioshock should have been. I'll take the less impressive graphics of SS2 and stellar replay/gameplay over the stellar graphics of Bioshock and lacking replay/gameplay. If you've played Bioshock, you owe it to yourself to find a copy of SS2 and see what could have been!

The Hacker gave it a10:
System Shock 2 received a lukewarm market reception and suffered from the closing of its development studio shortly after release. Despite the obvious troubles Looking Glass were experiencing financially, System Shock 2 was released to universal critical acclaim. And rightly so. Every element of this Science Fiction FPS/RPG is so close to perfection it is almost a religious experience to behold. [***SPOILERS***] Your journey through the halls of the Von Braun on her maiden voyage gone awry is one of wonder, excitement, trepidation and outright terror, all convincingly fit into an RPG that was (for its time) uniquely set in the first person without feeling shoehorned. Character building is balanced, rewarding and essentially requires enough thought and planning to satisfy RPG fanatics without being inaccessible to fans of the more arcade style FPS genre. The interface is clean, clear, informative and functional. Each item has a complete text file attached giving its history, stat requirements and method of use, giving a sense of depth to the System Shock universe and even filling many story gaps from the previous game. The storyline is rich, detailed and full of the kind of incidental information that makes the Lord of the Rings feel like a living breathing world. As mentioned above, each and every item, from weapons and health items to potted plants and bottles of whisky have their own lovingly crafted place in the overarching plot of the System Shock world. Gameplay is closely linked to the main story and follows as a direct sequel to the original game in a manner that would make most Hollywood script writers embarrassed of their work. Each morsel of storyline, sparingly fed to you throughout the game, is like a treasure uncovered, another piece of the jigsaw slotted into place. Coupled with satisfyingly cerebral and often intense combat in both the ranged and melee departments, it still stands out as one of the most well crafted FPS games in existence. Sound is a standout feature, with an attention to detail more acute than is given to entire games. The low hum of machinery, the various computer noises, the inane chatter of the ship's droids and the tormented ramblings of your ill-fated crewmates will all conspire to build a tension so thick that it becomes almost unbearable. Much of the story is told through audio logs from dead or missing crewmates and the voice acting must be heard to be believed. If even one quarter of the games released today had this quality of voice acting, the gaming industry would be a much better place. The single drawback of System Shock 2 is in the graphical department. Whilst the concept design of the Von Braun, the items and the creatures which inhabit the ship are of exceptional quality, the Dark engine didn't allow the game to be a shining example of graphical prowess, even at release. That said, everything is functional and well made, but the low number of polys on the characters is a drawback, however small. System Shock 2 is easily one of the best games ever produced in this world or any other. Smart, tense action backed up by a surprisingly deep character development system makes this the ultimate 'thinking man's shooter' and will be no doubt held in the hearts of gamers as an overlooked gem for many years.

Richard F. gave it a10:
Quite simply The best PC game I have ever played, dethrowning the previous champ; System Shock One. Terrifying, exciting, and engrossing, with amazing sounds, level design, and plot. Oh, and don't expect to finish it in a weekend, it has plenty of challenges to offer.

Balazs S. gave it a10:
Forget Half Life or Doom forever! This game is still my favourite of all!

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
Great Game.One of the best I ever played. Would like to see a remake of thi game. Having Valve do it.

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