System Shock 2

95%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,608 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
System Shock 2 Game Cover
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A first-person cyberpunk exploratory horror RPG and sequel to System Shock (1994) in which a soldier wakes up in the starship Van Braun in the aftermath of a disaster and finds himself in the midst of a conflict between SHODAN, the artificial intelligence antagonist of System Shock seeking mastery over humanity, and The Many, a flesh-based psychic hive mind led by the ship's corrupted AI.

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Reviews

95%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,608 reviews
story514 positive mentions
grinding42 negative mentions
  • Incredible atmosphere and sound design that creates a sense of dread and immersion.
  • Deep character customization and RPG elements that allow for varied playstyles and replayability.
  • Engaging story told through audio logs and environmental storytelling, with memorable characters like SHODAN.
  • Clunky controls and mechanics that can feel dated and frustrating, especially for new players.
  • Weapon degradation and scarce resources can lead to a challenging and sometimes punishing experience.
  • Some players may find the level design confusing and the backtracking tedious.
  • story1,163 mentions

    The story of *System Shock 2* is widely praised for its depth and immersive storytelling, primarily conveyed through audio logs and environmental clues that reveal the tragic fate of the spaceship's crew. Players find the narrative engaging, with well-executed plot twists and a compelling antagonist in the AI, SHODAN. While some reviewers note that the story can feel predictable or convoluted at times, the overall atmosphere and character development contribute to a memorable and chilling experience that has influenced many modern games.

    • “The story is amazing, well-paced, and it has a couple of well-placed plot twists.”
    • “The immersive setting and intriguing story is what will keep you playing.”
    • “System Shock 2 is a masterclass in game design and storytelling, and it continues to influence modern games such as the Bioshock series and Prey.”
    • “The story is mainly told through audio logs left behind by crew members as well as in live radio transmissions, which allows for a unique approach to storytelling that is engaging and immersive.”
    • “The plot is told almost entirely through exploration and the audio logs on the ground, making it feel disjointed and hard to follow at times.”
    • “The story is decent enough, but presented in an interesting way; however, it doesn't quite live up to the legend that internet discourse has built it up to be.”
  • gameplay956 mentions

    The gameplay of *System Shock 2* is widely praised for its innovative blend of first-person shooter mechanics and RPG elements, offering a unique and immersive experience that has influenced many modern titles, including *Bioshock*. Players appreciate the depth of character customization, resource management, and the strategic nature of combat, which often requires careful planning and backtracking. However, some find the mechanics dated and occasionally frustrating, particularly regarding inventory management and weapon degradation, which can detract from the overall experience for newcomers.

    • “System Shock 2 is a masterpiece; its atmosphere, sound design, world, and gameplay all mesh together to create a product that holds up surprisingly well today.”
    • “While it could broadly be classified as an immersive sim, it honestly feels like its own genre in many ways, with a very unique gameplay loop.”
    • “The ability to have multiple systems at your hand that you then have to use in creative ways to solve problems is such a genius way to make the gameplay more engaging.”
    • “The gameplay is extremely frustrating and unforgiving to the point where sometimes restarting the game entirely is the best option.”
    • “The gameplay is a mix of improvements and pitfalls both at the same time.”
    • “The gameplay is somewhat similar to the skill development, difficult combat, and exploration of Dark Souls as well as RPG elements found in Fallout.”
  • graphics895 mentions

    The graphics of System Shock 2 are widely regarded as dated, reflecting its 1999 release, with many players noting that they fall below modern standards. However, despite their age, the visuals still manage to contribute to the game's immersive atmosphere, and numerous mods are available to enhance the graphical fidelity. Overall, while the graphics may not impress by today's benchmarks, they do not significantly detract from the game's compelling story and gameplay experience.

    • “The graphics honestly look good for the year this was released, plus it supports my RX550 GPU and 1920x1080p resolution.”
    • “Despite its aged graphics, the game ends up being very immersive and terrifying at times.”
    • “The graphics are charming, the controls are intuitive, and the menus work well.”
    • “The graphics have aged poorly, the sound is great, including great voice acting, the story is so well-written, the action is pretty good, with a couple of cumbersome enemies, and the skills and leveling system is so satisfying.”
    • “The graphics looked dated in many aspects even when it first came out in 1999 (especially NPC models), and time has not helped.”
    • “The graphics are obviously dated, but that doesn't mean this game isn't worth playing.”
  • atmosphere746 mentions

    The atmosphere in *System Shock 2* is widely praised for its immersive and chilling qualities, effectively combining sound design, environmental storytelling, and a sense of isolation to create a tense and foreboding experience. Players frequently highlight the game's ability to evoke feelings of dread and vulnerability, enhanced by its haunting audio logs and the oppressive setting of the Von Braun spaceship. Despite its dated graphics, the game's atmosphere remains a standout feature, often compared favorably to modern titles in the horror genre.

    • “System Shock 2 is a masterpiece; its atmosphere, sound design, world, and gameplay all mesh together to create a product that holds up surprisingly well today.”
    • “The atmosphere is so good, there were several times where I forgot I was even playing a game.”
    • “The atmosphere, pacing, and sound design revolutionized what games could be, and in many ways have yet to be matched today.”
    • “The atmosphere is never getting old, especially.”
    • “The atmosphere is finally completed by several audio logs scattered around which contain both the last words of some of the living, which gives you insight on how was things doing in the ship before you woke up and information both crucial to the progress on the game and some useful, but missable things, with that in mind searching for the audio logs is a must as it enhances greatly the atmosphere and the immersion of the game, just like Doom 3, if you have ever played that.”
    • “The atmosphere is dark and monstrosities randomly respawn to keep you paranoid and on your toes.”
  • music402 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its unique blend of techno and ambient tracks that enhance the atmosphere, while others feel it detracts from the horror elements. Some players recommend muting the music to fully immerse themselves in the eerie sound design and environmental storytelling, as the energetic beats can feel out of place in tense moments. Overall, the soundtrack is considered memorable and impactful, contributing significantly to the game's identity, despite some inconsistencies in fitting the game's tone.

    • “The music and sounds greatly complement this.”
    • “The soundtrack is fantastic and complements the setting and fast-paced gameplay very well.”
    • “The music is awesome and the voice acting is just superbly done.”
    • “In a video game where stealth and situational awareness are essential, it is less than appropriate to have the music setting as high as possible by default when enemies are respawning and sensitive to the player's movements and actions.”
    • “The music was boring, the tutorial was too long and boring, the story was boring... but I pressed onward, and everything got incredibly more interesting as I figured out more and more about the game, and I appreciate the spiritual successors so much more for it.”
    • “The music takes away from the spooky atmosphere, but you can always silence that.”
  • replayability99 mentions

    System Shock 2 is widely praised for its high replayability, attributed to its extensive character customization options, diverse gameplay styles, and a rich upgrade system that encourages multiple playthroughs. Players can experiment with various builds and strategies, enhancing the game's depth and replay value, despite some critiques regarding the linearity of the story. Overall, the combination of RPG elements and atmospheric design makes it a compelling choice for those seeking a game with significant replay potential.

    • “Tons of replayability and variety in gameplay style is thankfully present due to the cyber modules/upgrades system.”
    • “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.”
    • “The numerous ways you can customize your cyber rig gives the game so much replay value.”
    • “Replayability is helped by the perk system, but it wasn't good enough for a second playthrough for me, since this game is mostly about exploring and navigating the levels, and the story doesn't seem to have any branches, which was a real lost opportunity.”
    • “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.”
  • humor46 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mix of intentional and unintentional comedy, with players highlighting hilarious animations, quirky enemy behaviors, and amusing cutscenes, particularly at the game's conclusion. While some aspects, like outdated graphics and awkward character models, contribute to the humor, the dark humor woven into the narrative adds depth to the experience. Overall, the game successfully balances funny moments with its immersive gameplay, making it a memorable experience.

    • “Also, the end game credits are hilarious.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding42 mentions

    Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is often perceived as tedious, particularly due to excessive backtracking, resource management, and clunky mechanics. While some players appreciate the challenge and immersive experience, many find the repetitive nature and difficulty in managing inventory and ammo to be frustrating, detracting from overall enjoyment. Overall, the game is described as a mix of engaging moments overshadowed by a significant amount of tedious gameplay.

    • “For most of the game, all I've done is wildly swing the wrench at all the enemies, making this game a tedious pain in the ass.”
    • “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.”
  • stability38 mentions

    The game's stability is a mixed bag, with many players reporting frequent crashes and various bugs, particularly in multiplayer and co-op modes. While some users experienced smooth gameplay on modern systems, others encountered significant issues, including game-breaking glitches and clunky controls. Overall, the game is described as buggy and frustrating, but still enjoyable for those willing to navigate its technical shortcomings.

    • “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.”
    • “The game crashes a lot and is buggy as hell.”
    • “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.”
    • “The controls are clunky, the game is buggy, and sometimes you have to button mash to get unstuck from the weirdest places.”
  • optimization31 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance on modern systems, some experience stuttering and hitbox issues, particularly during combat. The community patch is recommended to address various performance problems, enhancing the experience significantly. Despite these concerns, the game's atmosphere and voice acting are frequently praised, contributing to its enduring charm.

    • “No crash, optimized controls, enjoyable experience.”
    • “Just make sure to download the community patch as it fixes a lot of performance issues in modern hardware.”
    • “This version is optimized for and runs flawlessly on newer systems.”
    • “It's not really optimized for modern PCs and stutters sometimes.”
    • “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.”
  • character development29 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its depth and non-linearity, allowing players to make meaningful choices that significantly impact gameplay and replayability. While some reviews note that the protagonist's lack of dialogue can detract from the experience, the intricate systems and resource management involved in character progression are highlighted as both challenging and rewarding. Overall, the character development mechanics are seen as a strong aspect of the game, contributing to its immersive storytelling and atmospheric tension.

    • “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 is rather non-linear; no more than a third of the abilities can be opened during the game, and this choice changes the gameplay significantly.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional28 mentions

    System Shock 2 is lauded for its profound emotional impact, evoking feelings of vulnerability, isolation, and desperation through its tense atmosphere and sound design. Players report experiencing a wide range of emotions, from fear and anxiety to triumph and sadness, as the game immerses them in a haunting narrative and challenging gameplay. The emotional depth is further enhanced by character development and player choices, making it a standout title in the horror genre that leaves a lasting impression.

    • “I typically don't play games with horror elements, but I actually grew to love how creepy and tense this game made me feel.”
    • “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.”
  • monetization5 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, with players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and loot boxes, which are prevalent in many modern games. However, some express concern over the industry's shift towards monetization strategies that prioritize profit over gameplay quality, suggesting a nostalgic longing for the days when games required saving up for a single purchase. Overall, while the game may have its flaws, its straightforward pricing model is seen as a refreshing change.

    • “I really appreciate that there are no microtransactions in this game.”
    • “The absence of microtransactions makes the experience much more enjoyable.”
    • “It's refreshing to play a game that doesn't rely on microtransactions for revenue.”
    • “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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
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Play time

8hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
3-18hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 15 analyzed playthroughs

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