System Shock 2

by Electronic Arts

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004XRBM
• Media: CD-ROM
• Release Date: August 4, 2000
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #23,596 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

It's the future, of course, and you're stationed aboard the spaceship Van Braun, waiting for your first soldiering assignment. Luckily, the future resembles the best of science fiction from the last 10 years--something plucked from Blade Runner with pieces from the The Fifth Element (only with an AI-enabled computer/self-proclaimed goddess running the show).

The universe is run by unbelievably huge corporations, and in one of the biggest (TriOptimum), a hacker is breaking the rules. The result is SHODAN, a supercomputer whose beautiful, eerie face glimmers from the box's cover. The engine used for Thief: The Dark Project, ensures that System Shock 2 hums along on systems with the basic requirements.

With a superior plot and engaging, Asian-inspired aesthetics, System Shock 2 is a visceral, visual treat of a first-person role-playing game. All the devices that in theory seem stale and stupid come to life in this game. It's as if you could go back to the 1970s and take a vision of what the future would look like--and make it believable and cool. All the whirs and beeps and pulsing noises sound realistic. In addition, the designers have added in all the creepy elements we never wanted to have come true--such as the voiceovers that greet you when you're at the airport--only in this case, you're visiting the training sessions held by the United National Nominate.

Suffice it to say, the future of humankind is in your hands. With an excellent supporting cast and well-realized sci-fi visuals, System Shock 2 offers insight into an amazing new world order. --Jennifer Buckendorff

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Freaky, Atmosheric, Ethereal......Just Plain Spooky!!!, August 30, 2000

By 

Robert Speaker (FPO, AP United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: System Shock 2 (CD-ROM)

The game had me dropping my mouse, backing away from the monitor and out the door. The focus here is on how Environmental Audio can go a long way to scare the be-jesus out of you. And it does it well.

Otherwise, an intelligent RPG woven together with a first-person shooter, but with a very clever, puzzle-solving touch.

Basically, you awaken from cryo-sleep on a derelict spacecraft that was sent on a mission to deep space. You awaken to find things have gone horribly, horribly wrong as some form of alien life has taken over. It's all up to you to solve the mystery.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It had me jumping!, September 4, 2000

By 

Genesis Whitmore (Goldenrod, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: System Shock 2 (CD-ROM)

System Shock II was a sequel that came out of nowhere and hit the gaming community like a bolt of lightning. It was one of the first 1st person shooter games that combined the usual tactics and traits of a shooter game with roleplay elements. Your goal isn't just to kill every monster in sight, but also to solve a mystery on the ship.

Another interesting aspect is that you can set up your own skills and traits, either as a fighter, a computer wiz, or a psychic. Each skill will get your through the obstacles in different ways and as you progress your prowess grows in whatever areas you choose.

The atmosphere is wonderful. As you sneak thorugh the darkened corridors there are sounds and bits of ambiance all around you. Zombies gibber as they hunt you down, monkeys chatter as they prowl through the ships, cyborgs politely ask you to come out (so they can explode in your face), steam hisses from vents, computers humm softly. This game has the hairs on my neck standing up half the time or threw me into wild fits as I tried to get myself out of a suprise attack.

The only downsides to the game were the monster re-spawning after you had cleared out a level and the rapid degredation of guns while you used them, but there is a game patch that very nicely handles this problem and also allows you to play cooperative multiplayer if you desire.

All in all this game is very much worth the price. If you want a nice shooter game with enough atmosphere and history to make it seem real then this is the perfect game for you.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A genuine FRIGHTENING challenge, September 4, 2000

By 

"xenophobe51" (APO, AE United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: System Shock 2 (CD-ROM)

After reading the reviews on this game and ordering it online, I eagerly awaited it's arrival. That wait was not in vain.

First I must say that this is not any ordinary shooter. Nor is it any ordinary RPG. It's better than both and much much more. Although the graphics are now slightly dated (running SS2 on a 720mhz machine and GeForce2 GTS is overkill for sure) the gameplay is state-of-the-art. Nothing else out there offers the melding of Shooter excitement, RPG skill and customization, and Sci-Fi Horror madness that this masterpeice sports!

I can't rave on about it enough. It is honeslty frightening! It's addictive and challenging and just a touch psychotic. The first time a baddie dashes around the corner from nowhere mumbling incoherently about "The Many," you'll be changing your shorts! And if that isn't enough, wait until you walk up on the wrong computer terminal...

This is a thinking-person's shooter. You must be very wise with your supplies and limited inventory as you sneak (and I mean sneak) your way around the remains of the ruined intersteller craft. You will need to be very sparing and particular about the upgrades you choose. You will have to be one sneaky cyber-enhanced mother with eyes and ears open wider than than a cheap hooker's legs if you want to survive this little intersteller outing.

Playability? SS2 has it. It's a quick game to learn and easy to get used to (save for those freakish things lurking in the next corridor). The interface is stunningly high-tech. Plus, if you get bored, you can always play with the "Game Pig" you found on that decapitated engineer back in Cryo...

Bottom line? Buy this game now. At the low price you'll pay, you have no excuse for denying yourself such horrific entertainment. Buy it and play it alone... with the lights off... if you dare!