System Shock 2 - I need info on this game.

[Good morning blues]

Internet 101, www.google.com. Seriously, those are questions you can answer in 5 minutes.

Also, if your parents still give you permission to buy games, either grow up or you are under 18 and they're right not allowing you to play those games. Rules are rules.

In before carebears assault me.

Gee thanks, that was a supremely helpful post that contributed a hell of a lot to the thread. I can see why you took the time and effort to post here.

:/

- I need to know mundane stuff about it, e.g is there an autosave function? Being used to modern-day FPS games like Halo, I need to know if there's any differences I should be prepared for in SS2. Basic (and perhaps not-so-basic) things that could trip up a newbie to the old FPS like me.

From memory, the only autosave can come when you change areas in-game. Other than that, all saving is manual.

Don't expect to start out great with a weapon. Your skill with a weapon is partially determined by your character skills. You have three skill areas; tech, weapon and psi. Weapon skills increase your ability in your chosen weapon types (e.g. pistol, heavy, rifle, etc.) and allow you to use better weapons when you reach certain requirements. Tech skills increase your ability to do things like hack computers, repair things, research certain items, etc. Psi is the psionics path, and allows you to buy psionic skills such as pyrokinesis or mentally turning off alarms.

You won't be able to carry everything you see. You have a limited inventory, so you have to prioritise what items you carry. But for the record, if you drop all weapons you don't want into the ship lift, they travel with you into the different floors of the ship.

Finally, conserve ammo. It's limited, so don't waste it when you can just as easily run away.

OK, thanks for that info. I didn't realise it had a minor RPG element, but it sounds like it adds to the coolness. Knowing me, I'll probably go with weapons mostly.

Also, I'm used to a limited inventory. Halo allows you a grand total of 2 weapons at a time. Ammo conservation on the other hand, I shall have to teach myself that.

Now I just need to find the game... I was hoping it would be legally downloadable (e.g from Steam), but evidently not...

System Shock 2 does not have a "minor RPG element;" it is not actually a shooter at all. Gunfights are extremely rare. There is much, much more action and fighting in a Splinter Cell game than there is in SS2, even if you are a combat character. Comparing SS2 to Halo is like comparing Axis and Allies to snakes and ladders.

 

[repeating integers]

Well, ok.

I liked James Bond Bloodstone, and according to the escapist, its good.

Thanks, I'll look into that.

 

[repeating integers]

Internet 101, www.google.com. Seriously, those are questions you can answer in 5 minutes.

Also, if your parents still give you permission to buy games, either grow up or you are under 18 and they're right not allowing you to play those games. Rules are rules.

In before carebears assault me.

Gee thanks, that was a supremely helpful post that contributed a hell of a lot to the thread. I can see why you took the time and effort to post here.

:/

- I need to know mundane stuff about it, e.g is there an autosave function? Being used to modern-day FPS games like Halo, I need to know if there's any differences I should be prepared for in SS2. Basic (and perhaps not-so-basic) things that could trip up a newbie to the old FPS like me.

From memory, the only autosave can come when you change areas in-game. Other than that, all saving is manual.

Don't expect to start out great with a weapon. Your skill with a weapon is partially determined by your character skills. You have three skill areas; tech, weapon and psi. Weapon skills increase your ability in your chosen weapon types (e.g. pistol, heavy, rifle, etc.) and allow you to use better weapons when you reach certain requirements. Tech skills increase your ability to do things like hack computers, repair things, research certain items, etc. Psi is the psionics path, and allows you to buy psionic skills such as pyrokinesis or mentally turning off alarms.

You won't be able to carry everything you see. You have a limited inventory, so you have to prioritise what items you carry. But for the record, if you drop all weapons you don't want into the ship lift, they travel with you into the different floors of the ship.

Finally, conserve ammo. It's limited, so don't waste it when you can just as easily run away.

OK, thanks for that info. I didn't realise it had a minor RPG element, but it sounds like it adds to the coolness. Knowing me, I'll probably go with weapons mostly.

Also, I'm used to a limited inventory. Halo allows you a grand total of 2 weapons at a time. Ammo conservation on the other hand, I shall have to teach myself that.

Now I just need to find the game... I was hoping it would be legally downloadable (e.g from Steam), but evidently not...

System Shock 2 does not have a "minor RPG element;" it is not actually a shooter at all. Gunfights are extremely rare. There is much, much more action and fighting in a Splinter Cell game than there is in SS2, even if you are a combat character. Comparing SS2 to Halo is like comparing Axis and Allies to snakes and ladders.

Heh. I really didn't know much about SS2 when I started, I'm being forced to rapidly re-evaluate it. It still sounds like a damn good game.

 

[TerribleAssassin]

Amazon, find a used Good-Like New status used hard-copy, should come in £10 at best.

As stated, browse around for some patches and fixes that get it running better on multi-core processors.

And just have fun trying to survive and don't play it in the pitch black.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Well in the horror aspects SS2 is far worse then Bioshock, but if that is the only thing they let you have... why not.
There seem to be quite a few sites that have it as a free download, but if you are really paranoid I guess your best bet is ebay.

 

[Weaver]

Well in the horror aspects SS2 is far worse then Bioshock, but if that is the only thing they let you have... why not.
There seem to be quite a few sites that have it as a free download, but if you are really paranoid I guess your best bet is ebay.

I dunno, I think this might fall under one of those "grey area" types of games. Looking glass doesn't exist anymore, Irrational got bought by 2K and EA (the publisher) if they even have rights to it, obviously has no plans on redistributing the game.

Plus it's really a game a lot of people SHOULD play. I really commend OP on wanting to legally purchase it, but the fact of the matter is the devs and the publishers are no longer making money off this game as it's out of production in every conceivable way.

 

[SloLynx]

So, what with my parents refusing to get me Bioshock or Metro 20333 due to them disapproving of the horror genre

Dude, System Shock 2 is considerd to be the scariest PC game EVER. Personally, I only played the begining, but my neighbour (who is 19 now) is too afraid to play it. Not to mention, he beat Bioshock and Metro 2033 and didn't even notice the horror theme... 'nuff said, buy something else.

 

[antidonkey]

The thing that SS2 does better than any other game to date is create a sense of atmoshpere. Even when there's nothing going on and you feel safe, you're still on edge. Then there's a sound in the nearby distance. It's either a freakin' monkey or a creepy ass midwife. It makes you spin around frantically looking for the source while in the back of you mind, you're praying you don't find it as your ammo is painfully low and you're out of type that is effective against robotics. You move slowly along the corridors checking rooms you know you've cleared just to be sure. The sound is getting louder but you still have no idea where it's coming from. You turn a corner and find the source. You unload blasts of shotgun ammo at it hoping you have enough. Suddenly, it jams becuse you forgot to maintain it so you beat the target down with your wrench. As your heart rate begins to slow you notice the beads of sweat that have formed on your brow and you're now very much aware that you've just peed a little.

 

[repeating integers]

So, what with my parents refusing to get me Bioshock or Metro 20333 due to them disapproving of the horror genre

Dude, System Shock 2 is considerd to be the scariest PC game EVER. Personally, I only played the begining, but my neighbour (who is 19 now) is too afraid to play it. Not to mention, he beat Bioshock and Metro 2033 and didn't even notice the horror theme... 'nuff said, buy something else.

OK, I get it, I've been told this by about a million people now... lol.

I should update the opening post.

 

[Mr.Amakir]

The thing that SS2 does better than any other game to date is create a sense of atmoshpere. Even when there's nothing going on and you feel safe, you're still on edge. Then there's a sound in the nearby distance. It's either a freakin' monkey or a creepy ass midwife. It makes you spin around frantically looking for the source while in the back of you mind, you're praying you don't find it as your ammo is painfully low and you're out of type that is effective against robotics. Next thing you know, you've just peed a little.

What about Silent Hill 2, Penumbra and Amnesia? Personally i did not think that System Shock 2 was particularity scary. It was tense, really tense but it never really scared me. But then again i am not easily frightened. It is still a mighty fine game and i recommend everyone to check this game out. It got a great story, tense atmosphere, great gameplay (well the gunplay itsel is not particularly good but it is not the main focus of the game anyway), great RPG elements and SHODAN.

 

[BlackWidower]

So, what with my parents refusing to get me Bioshock or Metro 20333 due to them disapproving of the horror genre (and I didn't even know they were horror, I wanted them for the atmosphere and explorationy bits)

Wait, why do they disapprove of the horror genre? Are they afraid it will give you nightmares and make you run into mummy and daddy's room? (I'm actually trying to make fun of them, not you, but I see how that might be misconstrued.) Did you remind them you are not three?

 

[repeating integers]

So, what with my parents refusing to get me Bioshock or Metro 20333 due to them disapproving of the horror genre (and I didn't even know they were horror, I wanted them for the atmosphere and explorationy bits)

Wait, why do they disapprove of the horror genre? Are they afraid it will give you nightmares and make you run into mummy and daddy's room? (I'm actually trying to make fun of them, not you, but I see how that might be misconstrued.) Did you remind them you are not three?

I'm in the process of doing this. I expect it to be a slow one. I'm not sure why they disapprove of horror, I'm going to ask that.

I am somewhat susceptible to fear at night, on bad days (this is largely due to a vicious circle - the more tired I get, the more paranoid I get, which means I stay awake, which means I get more tired, which means I get... yeah). But really, it is annoying, and I am going to try and get them to back down on at least 2033 (which apparently isn't an 18, like Bioshock).

 

[YouShouldDeleteThisAccount]

Ask them for "Amnesia: The Dark Descent" and "Silent Hill 2". Hilarity ensues!

 

[EHKOS]

I've never played it myself (and got it to work though) so i'm jumping through a torrent to see if I can, will report back on what madness takes place.

I'm running it on Vista of all things, run as admin, and compatability mode atttt...Windows NT 4.0 SP5. I really didn't have to tinker with it much. Patched to the latest I belive tho I got it off a hackers site.

 

[rembrandtqeinstein]

Recommendation 1, earn some money so you can buy your own shit and play whatever you want

Recommendation 2. unless you have geek training (and your whole "i'm scared of warez" thing says you dont) stop trying to run old games on modern PCs

Just get a console and buy stuff used from the nice man at gamestop

 

[Nevyrmoore]

Recommendation 2. unless you have geek training (and your whole "i'm scared of warez" thing says you dont) stop trying to run old games on modern PCs

Just get a console and buy stuff used from the nice man at gamestop

Bad recommendation is bad.

 

[Starke]

Double Edit: It's a DOS game, and is now considered freeware, so downloading it for free is not illegal.

I wouldn't trust that website as far as I would throw it. It's a Windows game and it certainly does not have freeware status. At best, it has abandonware status, which only means no one will give a shit if you do download it.

It is not abandonware. Sorry if this has been said before. The game is caught up in a copyright snafu between (IIRC) EA, Irrational Games, and maybe Warren Specter, the copyright is being enforced, but it cannot be released by anyone at present.

 

[Starke]

Those. Goddamn. Monkeys.

Oh those goddamn monkeys.

Screw the monkeys
What about those damned midwives and that creepy voice that talks to you whenever shodan's taking a coffee break?

Those motherfuckin' midwives... gah... it's been at least 10 years and they still scare the shit out of me.

And then there's the spiders...

 

[Starke]

So, what with my parents refusing to get me Bioshock or Metro 20333 due to them disapproving of the horror genre (and I didn't even know they were horror, I wanted them for the atmosphere and explorationy bits)

Wait, why do they disapprove of the horror genre? Are they afraid it will give you nightmares and make you run into mummy and daddy's room? (I'm actually trying to make fun of them, not you, but I see how that might be misconstrued.) Did you remind them you are not three?

I'm in the process of doing this. I expect it to be a slow one. I'm not sure why they disapprove of horror, I'm going to ask that.

I am somewhat susceptible to fear at night, on bad days (this is largely due to a vicious circle - the more tired I get, the more paranoid I get, which means I stay awake, which means I get more tired, which means I get... yeah). But really, it is annoying, and I am going to try and get them to back down on at least 2033 (which apparently isn't an 18, like Bioshock).

I'd have to check again, but I believe that Metro 2033 carries an M rating. It includes profanity in both English and Russian (culturally speaking, profanity in Russian is inherently regarded as more severe than it is in English). Lots of blood, moderate gore. Some really hideous jump scares. And fantastic atmosphere. Basically the game's atmosphere winds you up incredibly tightly and then snaps at you.

Ironically my first counter-suggestion, STALKER is also an all M rated series.

EDIT: Okay, beyond that, Bioshock isn't strictly speaking horror, but System Shock 2 IS. Whatever horror elements that persisted from SS2 into Bioshock are watered down in the extreme.

If you're simply looking for good games, off the recent crop, I'd suggest Civ V. I realize it's a sharp departure from what you're suggesting, but it is a very solid game. Dawn of War II (also a different genre) is very good, although it is M rated and does have some light horror elements. Half-Life 2 (if you haven't played it yet) is also M rated, it's aged a bit, but its still a remarkably strong FPS. It has a horror sequence about 4 hours in, but once that's done with horror shifts to the back burner for the rest of the game. Mass Effect and Mass Effect 2 are both M rated, ME2 has some mild horror sequences near the end, but is mostly devoid of them. Both are solid RPG/Shooter hybrids. Mirror's Edge is rated T, basically aside from it's short length and lack of re-playability, it's certainly worth visiting at least once.

I hope this at least gives you some alternatives, and I'm sorry I don't have more non-M rated suggestions.

EDIT: I'm going to add Fallout, any Fallout to the list. 1 and 2 are isometric RPGs. Tactics is a turn based squad level strategy game. 3 and New Vegas are FPS/RPG hybrids, both have some plot mandatory areas that lean towards the horror end of the spectrum, but they're all solid suggestions. They're also all rated M.

 

[Nevyrmoore]

Double Edit: It's a DOS game, and is now considered freeware, so downloading it for free is not illegal.

I wouldn't trust that website as far as I would throw it. It's a Windows game and it certainly does not have freeware status. At best, it has abandonware status, which only means no one will give a shit if you do download it.

It is not abandonware. Sorry if this has been said before. The game is caught up in a copyright snafu between (IIRC) EA, Irrational Games, and maybe Warren Specter, the copyright is being enforced, but it cannot be released by anyone at present.

I did say at best. This happens to be the first I've heard of this.

Not that it matters anyway, because abandonware isn't a legally accepted status and is still copyright infringement.