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 702 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: 112 out of 119
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 119
  3. Negative: 2 out of 119
  1. 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 mythis 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 .… 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. KittenYuna
    Dec 30, 2002
    10
    This game is brilliant. not one for all you f..king noobs who can only play counterstrike though.
  5. LordOwlet
    Apr 25, 2013
    10
    Well let's go with this. It's in my top 5 single player games.
    Survival horror, FPS RPG, a fascinating story and world, memorable characters,    Well let's go with this. It's in my top 5 single player games.
    Survival horror, FPS RPG, a fascinating story and world, memorable characters, solid OST and replay value.
    Can't truly go into details without giving spoilers!
    It does slip up towards the end though when things become rushed, level design quality drops and there's a terrible mandatory platforming section that never showed up in the previous 17 hours of the game.    … Expand
  6. hippo
    Jan 7, 2013
    10
    My absolute favorite game of all time. I've given up finding a game that replicates the feeling I had when I first played this. AmazingMy absolute favorite game of all time. I've given up finding a game that replicates the feeling I had when I first played this. Amazing story-line that couldn't be told better with so many twists that you won't see coming. Level design, lighting, sounds, voice acting and music will make for an unparalleled experience: you will feel desperately alone on a massive spaceship trillions of miles from earth. A simple look out the window from a crew member's cabin reminds you all too well of this. All this despite the graphics were not the best going around, even for its day. There are a few problems, namely the weapons needing to be repaired too frequently, some upgrades such as exotic weapons not balanced, and perhaps a reduction in the quality of the levels in the late game (but only compared to the high standard of those that come before). Even in 2013 I'd still recommend people to play it. Try to play on XP if you can, there is a patch out there somewhere.

    I wish I could give it an 11.    … Expand
  7. Speedster09
    Sep 8, 2011
    9
    with a heavy heart i give this a 9 - why would i do this for a game that is amongst my personal top of the finest games ever made? because itwith a heavy heart i give this a 9 - why would i do this for a game that is amongst my personal top of the finest games ever made? because it could have been more; nonetheless, it is simply one of the most brilliant horror FPS ever made; the game play is certainly immersive - not quite as much as the Thief series (from which SS2 borrowed a lot of the sounds since the same developer (Looking Glass) made both game franchises), but nonetheless incredibly well done; but what i think the game failed to do is to balance all weapons (some are acquired later on and typically quite under-powered and useless, especially since the RPG aspect is so well developed in this game, meaning that a later stages in the game you will already have developed your character to be most proficient in some weaponry - little use are underpowered exotic weapons that your character has little to no skill in using); and the lonely environment is simply not convincing - other attempts in the genre like Dead Space actually do create horror you can feel and thus heighten your feeling of isolation; but in SS2 this feeling never develops because of the vast weaponry at your disposal and the rather pathetic attempts at instigating several encounters with other alive NPCs that then get killed or run off; however, the musical score is superb and creates incredible atmosphere in this game; all in all a definite must-have!… Expand
  8. ShawnDarichuk
    Jul 9, 2008
    0
    This game is broken to the point of being unplayable. I don't get a gun when I start, I'm told that I can't even use the gun IThis game is broken to the point of being unplayable. I don't get a gun when I start, I'm told that I can't even use the gun I just found (because people in the military don't know what guns are), and my only weapon is a wrench. Wow, isn't that fun.
    Easily the worst PC game ever made.    … Expand

See all 119 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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