System Shock 2

About

System Shock 2 is a single-player and multiplayer open-world horror RPG, where players explore the starship Van Braun after a disaster. The game centers around a conflict between the AI SHODAN seeking mastery over humanity and a flesh-based hive mind led by the ship's corrupted AI. With an interesting plot, beautiful gameplay, and stellar atmosphere, System Shock 2 offers a highly emotional and replayable experience, despite some bugs and grinding.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,205 reviews

story472 positive mentions

grinding42 negative mentions

Incredible atmosphere and sound design that immerses players in a terrifying sci-fi horror experience.
Deep RPG mechanics allow for diverse character builds and playstyles, enhancing replayability.
Engaging story told through audio logs and environmental storytelling, with memorable characters and a compelling antagonist.

Dated graphics and clunky controls can detract from the experience for modern players.
Weapon degradation and scarce resources can lead to frustrating gameplay, especially for newcomers.
Some players may find the level design confusing and the backtracking tedious.

story
1,069 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
54%
2%
The story of *System Shock 2* is widely praised for its depth, atmosphere, and innovative storytelling through audio logs and environmental clues, which immerse players in a haunting narrative about survival aboard a derelict spaceship. While some find the plot predictable, many appreciate its engaging twists and the iconic antagonist, SHODAN, which contribute to a compelling sci-fi horror experience. Overall, the game is recognized as a significant influence on later titles like *Bioshock* and *Dead Space*, showcasing a masterful blend of horror, RPG elements, and narrative complexity.
- “The story is brilliant; I absolutely adore the cyberpunk aesthetic and genre in games.”
- “The story here is great too with plot twists and plenty of audio logs scattered around to fill you in; it's gripping.”
- “System Shock 2 presents one of the most immersive, tense experiences I've had in a game, and the story is absolutely kick-ass.”
- “The story is mediocre in my opinion, but I think there's an issue of it feeling rushed in the last quarter of the game (fighting the Many and Shodan).”
- “The only major flaw I think is worth bringing up on the front of storytelling would be that much like the similarly titled 'spiritual successor', Bioshock, it has a painfully obvious twist.”
- “The story is hard to want to keep track of, but somewhat interesting.”
gameplay
904 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
69%
3%
The gameplay of System Shock 2 is a complex blend of first-person shooter and RPG mechanics, offering a rich and immersive experience that has influenced many modern titles. While some players find the mechanics dated and clunky, especially in terms of inventory management and weapon degradation, the depth of gameplay, character customization, and strategic resource management are often praised as standout features. Overall, despite its age, the game remains engaging and challenging, with a strong atmosphere and narrative that enhance the gameplay experience.
- “Great gameplay, level design, audio, and art direction make this a timeless classic that takes no prisoners.”
- “The gameplay is neat, and the story, music, and atmosphere are all amazing.”
- “The gameplay is a mixture of RPG and FPS, with a variety of different skills which you can spend your resources in and multiple types of ammo for many weapons.”
- “For starters, the actual gameplay itself is boring and just all around a poor experience; the levels are overly complicated and difficult to navigate, and gunplay is subpar at best.”
- “The gameplay is extremely frustrating and unforgiving to the point where sometimes restarting the game entirely is the best option.”
- “I know a lot of gamers have rose-colored glasses for this game, but coming in cold, I am shocked by the lack of pacing, convoluted and contradicting systems, and absolutely joyless gameplay on display here.”
graphics
876 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
69%
14%
The graphics of System Shock 2 are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its 1999 release, with many players noting that they can detract from the overall experience. However, the game's distinct aesthetic and atmosphere often compensate for these visual shortcomings, and numerous community mods are available to enhance the graphics for modern audiences. While some players find the old graphics charming or nostalgic, others recommend using mods to improve the visual quality and make the game more accessible to newcomers.
- “The community patch is a must-have collection of mods that fix countless bugs, frame rate issues, a graphics overhaul, support for modern resolution, and dozens of minor gameplay tweaks and essential quality of life improvements that really give the game the polish it deserves.”
- “Despite the dated graphics, the gameplay still holds up just as well as it did upon release.”
- “The graphics may be dated, but the sound and level design are still very scary.”
- “Highly praised game which for me was a chore to play due to ancient graphics; clunky combat; concealed clues and many other annoyances.”
- “The graphics have not aged well.”
- “The graphics are dated, and the gameplay - especially movement and inventory - is a bit clunky, but overall it's a fantastic game.”
atmosphere
713 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
45%
1%
The atmosphere of *System Shock 2* is widely praised for its immersive and chilling qualities, effectively creating a sense of dread and isolation throughout the game. Reviewers highlight the game's exceptional sound design, ambient music, and environmental storytelling, which together enhance the overall experience and contribute to its status as a classic in atmospheric horror gaming. Despite its dated graphics, the game's ability to evoke fear and tension remains unmatched, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.
- “You stew in the atmosphere the game masterfully cultivates as you creep down corridors, cling to undependable weapons and confront increasingly horrific foes.”
- “The atmosphere is impeccable, with the Von Braun feeling like a floating metal casket in the void of space.”
- “The atmosphere, pacing, and sound design revolutionized what games could be, and in many ways have yet to be matched today.”
- “The atmosphere is punishing and you-know-who is as cold and abusive as ever.”
- “The atmosphere is gripping and definitely keeps you on your toes with the environment and enemies on the prowl.”
- “The atmosphere is dark and monstrosities randomly respawn to keep you paranoid and on your toes.”
music
350 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
59%
4%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its unique and atmospheric techno soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, while others feel it detracts from the horror elements. Some players recommend turning off the music to fully appreciate the game's eerie ambiance and sound design, which they believe is crucial for immersion. Overall, the soundtrack is often described as memorable and fitting for the sci-fi setting, though opinions vary on its effectiveness in maintaining the game's intended atmosphere.
- “The music is top notch and unique and inspired me to even write a review in the first place.”
- “The soundtrack in this game is killer; it sounds like you’re in the matrix, and that is perfect.”
- “The atmosphere of the game is just beautiful, the soundtrack is good, gameplay is fun, and cyber implants are like crack, thanks Shodan.”
- “The music is very 1990's 'loopy' with annoying drum beats that had me turning it off much of the time (a shame because the more 'incidental' parts are done far better). Oh, and after all that, the end of the game is the cheesiest, most stupid action movie kind of ending you could ever imagine.”
- “The gunplay/combat is showing its age and isn't really worth writing home about, and the soundtrack doesn't mesh well with the horror atmosphere that the game is trying to establish (I suggest turning off the music. Makes the experience much better in my opinion) but regardless of those flaws, everything else is amazing.”
- “The frantic techno music, however, sounds out of place and doesn't accelerate the stressful situations you will face.”
replayability
93 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
51%
3%
System Shock 2 is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, primarily due to its diverse character builds and RPG mechanics that allow players to approach the game in various ways. The combination of multiple difficulty settings, skill trees, and unique playstyles encourages players to experiment with different strategies, making each playthrough feel distinct. Overall, the game's depth and customization options contribute to its status as one of the most replayable titles in the FPS genre.
- “A focus on player choice in the game design leads to System Shock 2 being one of the most replayable games ever released, with the option to tackle the title in almost any way the player sees fit, whether that be a standard FPS run-and-gun solution or more novel options like becoming a space wizard or just running from combat entirely.”
- “The RPG character development mechanics grant this title a good amount of replayability, allowing for unique playthroughs and diverse gameplay experiences.”
- “Dynamic and intense gameplay, a lot of ways of character development, rewarding location exploration, and a tense atmosphere all make System Shock 2 a remarkable and replayable game.”
- “The RPG mechanics can be cumbersome to learn for first-time players, but allow for the ability to have unique playthroughs which add replay value to the game, and players who come into possession of a decent weapon and with the properly leveled skill level for it will quickly go from prey to hunter on the Von Braun.”
- “Despite the graphics being outdated (it was made in 1999, so cut it some slack; there are mods that make it look better), the gameplay itself shines like a diamond, giving replayability for those that want to literally adjust the skills of their character, whether it's spending some cyber-modules on an OSI upgrade to run past enemies undetected or improving your hacking skill so the crate doesn't explode when you hit a bad node.”
- “Dynamic and intense gameplay, a lot of ways of character development, rewarding location exploration, and a tense atmosphere - all this makes System Shock 2 a remarkable and replayable game.”
grinding
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews highlight that grinding in the game often leads to a tedious and frustrating experience, particularly in the later levels where backtracking and resource management become burdensome. While some players appreciate the challenge and immersive elements, many find the repetitive tasks and clunky mechanics detract from overall enjoyment, making the game feel more like a chore than an engaging adventure. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game has its merits, the grinding aspects can significantly diminish the experience for players.
- “It honestly made it feel really boring and tedious at times.”
- “But what starts out so well eventually devolves into a very tedious, unrealistic, and completely confusing bunch of areas to work through, which only gets worse as the game goes on.”
- “The early portions of the game when you are just getting your bearings and exploring the ship level by level are entertaining enough, but as the game progresses it turns into a much more tedious corridor shooter.”
humor
39 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mix of intentional and unintentional moments, with many players finding the outdated graphics and quirky character designs amusing. The ending, often described as hilariously terrible, adds to the charm, while dark humor and clever item descriptions provide additional comedic relief. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its serious themes, creating a unique and entertaining experience.
- “This game makes the worms in my brain do a funny little dance :)”
- “The end cutscene is hilarious.”
- “The enemies are fun and hilarious at times, and seeing the story take the turns that it did really threw me and kept me hooked until the end, which by the way is one of the best endings to a game that I have ever seen.”
stability
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
86%
The game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players report smooth single-player experiences with minimal bugs, others encounter significant issues, particularly in multiplayer and certain game mechanics like elevators. Many users recommend saving frequently due to potential game-breaking glitches, especially in co-op mode, which is described as fun but highly unstable. Overall, the game runs well on modern systems, but players should be prepared for occasional bugs and clunky controls.
- “This game is actually really awesome and runs great without mods.”
- “Runs great on Windows 10 and will run on just about any potato laptop and above.”
- “Also, 'buggy' coop was not buggy at all for me and my friend (with the latest ss2tool, at least) - excluding a couple of desynchronizations between levels, but they are easily remedied by saving before changing levels.”
- “While the game itself is incredible, it is buggy and basically cannot be finished due to some weird elevator bug after the command center part.”
- “Game design just doesn't hold up to today's standards and makes for a buggy, clunky, aggravating experience with a disappointing ending.”
- “The controls are clunky, the game is buggy, and sometimes you have to button mash to get unstuck from the weirdest places.”
optimization
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
44%
15%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, especially with the community patch that addresses many performance issues on modern hardware, allowing for smooth gameplay with minimal crashes. However, some players report inconsistencies such as hitbox problems during combat and occasional stuttering, which detracts from the experience. While the audio performances, particularly that of the antagonist Shodan, are praised, the game's interface and character advancement system are criticized for being cumbersome and poorly designed.
- “This game looks and feels just as good, if not better than Half-Life 1, and runs smoothly on my modern system.”
- “Atmosphere is amazing, graphics are still good (game made in 1998), it runs smoothly (no FPS drops or crashes).”
- “Just make sure to download the community patch as it fixes a lot of performance issues in modern hardware.”
- “But the combat kinda sucks, the hit boxes are badly optimized, especially during hand-to-hand combat when the hit doesn't register.”
- “However, I am forced to ask simply, 'Is the game still fun to play?', and sadly I must answer 'no.' Ignoring the draconian advancement system, the game feels sluggish and poorly optimized, and the interface is a complicated counter-intuitive mess.”
emotional
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional impact of the game is profound, with players expressing feelings of vulnerability, isolation, and desperation throughout their experience. The atmosphere, sound design, and character development contribute to a rollercoaster of emotions, evoking anxiety, triumph, and terror. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a deep emotional connection, making it a standout in the horror genre and a memorable experience that lingers long after playing.
- “Rarely has an FPS RPG made me feel so alone, hopeless, and just plain desperate.”
- “It's the only game I've played that actually reached in through my eye sockets, curled its wires around my spine, and really, truly made me feel powerless.”
- “Ss2 is one of those rare games/movies that affect you so profoundly...emotionally, cognitively, physiologically...that you are simultaneously overwhelmed by the experience and sadly resigned to the fact you can't forget it all and experience it for the first time again.”
character development
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
52%
12%
Character development in the game is highly praised for its non-linear and impactful choices, allowing players to shape their characters significantly through RPG mechanics. While some players find the mute protagonist limits engagement, the extensive system offers a rewarding experience with high replayability, encouraging strategic planning and exploration. Overall, the character development is seen as a standout feature that enhances the game's depth and atmosphere.
- “Character development diverges into many paths and the choices you make matter.”
- “The RPG character development mechanics grant this title a good amount of replayability.”
- “Great horror atmosphere, satisfying character development, and a compelling story.”
- “Character development wasn’t particularly riveting, since the protagonist doesn’t really talk.”
- “But this is one of the games where you have to read the wiki or some guide before playing, not to use some optimized character build, but just to avoid the traps that are hidden in the character development system.”
- “The inventory management is complex sometimes but it adds challenge and the character development is so extensive that you really should read a tutorial on what kind of character build you want to start with.”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
80%
Reviews highlight a strong aversion to modern monetization practices like loot boxes and in-game purchases, contrasting them with the appreciation for games that require a one-time purchase without microtransactions. While some players find the graphics lacking, they value the deep single-player experience and the absence of aggressive monetization strategies, suggesting a preference for traditional gaming models over current cash-grab tactics.
- “I love that there are no microtransactions in this game!”
- “The absence of microtransactions makes the experience so much more enjoyable.”
- “It's refreshing to play a game that doesn't rely on microtransactions.”
- “Such deep single player games are not produced anymore these days! In 2022, it's all about loot boxes and in-game purchases. Stupid kids bully others because they may not have a cool gun skin. Such games used to be appreciated because one had to save their pocket money to get this. This game shaped me.”
- “I highly recommend you buy into Valve's evil plan to make obscure, difficult-to-acquire games readily available to the public, and give in to the cash grab.”