Now is your chance to answer those questions for yourself, in the company of friendly folks who enjoy playing and discussing older games together. So is System Shock 2 the great game many claim it to be? Are we wistfully clinging to a critic's darling that's fashionable to talk about, but no longer fun to play? Can a 14-year-old game with primitive graphics speak to modern players? Is it possible for a game to improve with age? Along with the game, optimized for modern systems, players will receive the soundtrack, artwork, concept maps, an interview with Lead Designer Ken Levine, and the original pitch document, which is a fascinating read for anyone interested in the history and evolution of games.

Today is a day to celebrate because Good Old Games (coming soon to Steam) has released System Shock 2 for all of us to revisit.or play for the first time. Wear headphones for this one, and don't ignore the audio logs. Critics routinely describe SS2 as 'atmospheric,' and it certainly is, but more of that feeling creeps into your ears than your eyes. System Shock 2 was the first to do it right.Īnd if you're an audio nut like me, SS2 remains one of the most affecting sound designs ever created for a game. Today, nearly every game is a mash-up of familiar genres.

Its canny mix of FPS, RPG and survival horror elements remains among the most thoughtful and well-balanced in video game history. When devoted players discuss storytelling in games, someone inevitably declares System Shock 2 one of the best ever, and rightly so. System Shock 2 has many such moments, perhaps more than any other game. When we discuss great games, we often cite particular moments burned into our brains: seeing Hyrule Field for the first time in Ocarina the chainsaw zombie in Resident Evil 4 the death of Aeris 'Would you kindly.' 'The cake is a lie' emerging from the sewers to gaze on Cyradil for the first time insult sword fighting the final ascent in Journey 'Kick, punch, it's all in the mind.' Those are a few of mine.

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