System Shock 2

"Losing My Humanity"

What is better than space and psyco super computers. Throw in some zombie like creatures that's how. In System Shock 2 you are a lone warrior with no memory of who you are or why you are there. From the first moment you awake from a deep sleep, you know that something is VERY wrong. However, let's back up and get the full experience of SS2.

First off, System Shock 2 is a first person shooter that incorporates some RPG elements in it. When you first start up the game, you get to choose from three different classes. There is Navy, Marines, and OSA to choose from. Each has it's unique strengths and differences. Navy is bases more on hacking and other computer skills, Marines can use weapons more efficiently. OSA use psionics. After you choose your path, you get to go on 3 tours of duty. Each tour of duty you pick from 3 different missions, these missions just fine tune your character to your liking.

Now after you've blown 15 minutes of your life, you might actually get to play. However after another 5 minutes of going from point A to point B you'll finally be in position to do something. This can get a little old if you like to try out the different classes and see what best suites you. Finally after all that we get to check out the….

GAMEPLAY

Unlike some FPS that try to integrate RPG into it, they really work well here. You can actually see them working. The different classes are really nice as the different ways you level them affect what actions you'll take and how you play the game. A hacker can decode a lock to get somewhere quick, but might not be able to use the uber weapons. A Marine on the other hand might have to use his grenade launcher to blow through enemies to find that door lock keycode. A great addition is one of the skills is RESEARCH, where you can take a dropped item from a foe and research it. After you do you can do more damage since you know how to kill it. The enemies also all have different strengths and weakness. Some are immune to explosives while others are weak and ect. The story is wonderful too. Not only do you have no idea what's going on, but neither does your character. You basically learn what has happened and what is happening through hundreds of crew member's personal PDA's that have log files on them. They give you hints on where to go, keycodes to get into doors, and even an unfolding story about two crewmembers in love trying to find their way off the ship.

The game overall plays pretty solid. Everything you'd want a FPS to do, the game does it perfectly. Enemies vary in size and shape, and in some instances brains work better than braun, and vice versus.

GRAPHICS

Now, I know the game was made in the early 90's, but come on. Overall the graphics are not that bad. In fact some places look really great. The main problem is the humanoid characters. Their heads are seriously deformed. The people's heads look like deflated balloons. They are absolutely horrible. This issues takes a lot away from the graphics since a lot of the enemies and yourself are all humanoid and look like that. Also some areas look exactly the same. A lot of sprites are uses over and over again, so you may feel like you've been there before.

SOUND

I have to say, the sound isn't bad. The music playing is pretty forgettable and looking back I wonder if there even was any. The voices, however, are amazingly well done. You can feel the fear coming from some of the crewmembers and can see the change in the ones that have been taken. The super computer's voice is pretty well done too, sounds very cocky and cold. An A+ in my book.

OVERALL

Overall it's a great game if you can find it. The graphics may not be on par with today's standards, but for that time frame they are great. The RPG elements make every game different allowing for pretty good replay ability and push you to challenge yourself. If you can find it, buy it, play it, love it. You will feel fear from this game, but once you do it has it's hooks in you. You need to find out what happened and what you can do to stop it from continuing. So what are you waiting for….get in the System.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 08/08/04