System Shock 2 is so good, it makes me sad

[Poetic thief]

Ok, you guys might remember me from this cry for help. I have since finished the game, but...why am I sad?

I am sad because they don't make games like this anymore. (And by "they" I mean the big gaming companies published by EA, Activision etc)

And this is NOT nostalgia speaking. I am not talking through rose colored glasses because I played SS2 for the FIRST TIME in 2009, and yet, I can't think of another game that had such an overall impact on me.

What I loved about this game:

1. The mood/ atmosphere.

This was one of the most immersive gaming experiences I've ever had. Seriously. I felt like I was transported to the Von Braun. I wasn't just some guy sitting at a keyboard, I was actually there. It takes a special kind of game to really draw you in to its world like that.

The audio logs were such an ingenious way to present the story, and they definitely added a great deal to the immersion.


2. The "Shocks" (pun intended )

This is the first game in a looooooooong time where I genuinely felt afraid. I think the fact that game was so immersive/atmospheric played a BIG part in this. I am not someone who is easily scared. Reading "Ghost stories" is actually one of my hobbies, and only three or four authors have the skill to make me feel fear.

This game had many moments where I was sneaking along, and one voice would make the hair stand on the back of my neck. There were many times where my heart stopped for a split second as something unexpected jumped out.

And I loved every minute of it.

3. The role-playing possibilities.

I am a pc rpg gamer primarily, so I approached this game like I approach all my rpg's. I had a very specific character in mind. I didn't care if he was weak in some areas, or if he had one severe handicap. I played my role to the tee.

And this payed off because I think SS2 is a game where you would diminish the experience if you play as a jack-of-all trades, master-of-none type. I specialized only in areas that fit my character, so I had to think of ingenious ways to get around my weaknesses. This, in turn, lead to more opportunities for thinking, and strategizing. I had a blast with this.

4. Heart and soul

This is pretty subjective, but I feel that this game has "heart." I got a sense that the people who made this game had a lot of fun doing it, and really put their hearts into it. Just little things, and little details like the wall pictures, and swinekeeper, and the hilarious info descriptions, added that final touch to make this game such an engrossing experience.

This "heart", although hard to describe, is something which I feel is missing in a lot of the games I play today.

[ZergMasterBaiter]

This "heart", although hard to describe, is something which I feel is missing in a lot of the games I play today.

As far as great scifi horror settings go, System Shock 2 is perfect in my book. The more times you replay it, the less it appears to you as a simple game and more like... a totally cinematic experience. I've always been crazy about space-set horror. I watched and rewatched the first two Alien films dozens of times since first seeing Aliens as a wee lad of eleven. But never mind, I'm digressing, to me SS2 would not have been half as good had it not been set on a huge starship, without the constant humming coming through the bulkheads whispering of the infinite coldness of Space on the other side. And you the player, a tiny insignificant "insect", protected only by the dead, metal shell of VonBraun from the screaming dark void outside. Just writing this makes me want to give the game another go, another new survival experience.

But I must agree with you, sadly there are few games these days that give me that same addictive space survival horror fix, the "heart" SS2 in my opinion, and only Dead Space and Doom 3 come to mind. And not even movies . Was I the only one who loved every moment of Pandorum?

[Poetic thief]

I've always been crazy about space-set horror.

Aww man. Space horror is definitely a special kind of horror. You're right, the mysterious, endless void of outerspace, the eerie silence...I could go into this further but it might deserve a separate thread entirely.

System Shock 2 definitely exploited the natural creepiness of outerspace to great effect.

I also wish that there were more space horror movies. I haven't seen Pandorum as yet, but it seems to be right up my alley. I really enjoyed Event Horizon although it doesn't seem to have many fans, and I couldn't find another movie like it.

[polytourist97]

*raises hand

Is this the space-horror fans anonymous session?

I am the only person I know in the world that actually really liked Event Horizon. And I just typed that sentence before actually seeing that Poetic also mentioned it in the last post. I'm not the only one!

I think SS2 really just got so many things right; the setting, the gameplay, the pacing, the story... Other good/great games may get one or two, or at most three of those right, but only a few have been as well-rounded as SS2. It does have something intangible about it as well. I just remember being absolutely enthralled with it from the moment I started playing. I had gotten Homeworld at the same time (which was also a really good game), but as soon as I started playing SS2, there was no turning away. I found my gaming genre (fps-rpg) and my setting (futuristic/cyberpunk) as well as finding out that I LOVED playing a scary game.

There is some truth when people on these forums joke that once you play SS2 you become a gaming pessimist. To an extent, it has raised my expectations of what a game can and should be to such a level that it is difficult to find games that measure up... and I wouldn't want it any other way.

[Zygoptera]

I wouldn't say that I loved Event Horizon but I did think it was far better than its reputation suggested.

[icemann]

While not AS good as SS2 I thought Bioshock and Deadspace were pretty damn good.

Fallout 3 is fantastic also. I spent 3 weeks straight playing that and then a few more with the time taken to beat all the DLC over time.

[Matthew]

I like Event Horizon! But admittedly, I like a lot of it just for Sam Neil chewing the scenery.

[ZylonBane]

I liked it for the scenery chewing Sam Neil.

(disclaimer: did not actually like Event Horizon)

[fett]

Totally agree. Every time I finish playing SS2 I have to take a break from gaming completely because I'm so disappointed at how shallow other games are. Not to mention I usually play it two or three times in a row and build my character differently, so I feel like I've been playing it for ages.

[Kefren]

Drifting OT, but I just replayed the Doom3 'Event Horizon' mod this week. Occasionally it captured the claustrophobic horror, and almost reminded me of SS2 (if I squinted), but mostly it just reminded me of how much I love SS2. The same person who did the Even Horizon mod also did one for Phantasm, which was much better - a scary short blast and a homage to the horror films.

[Bluegrime]

I loved, and would still love if I had my CD, System Shock 2.

It set a standard for terror that nothing, now or then, has been able to measure up to. Sometimes I even think it spoiled me a little bit, since nothing after SS2 has managed to 'scare' me.. I tittered while playing Silent Hill. I cackled with glee as I roasted once men with a flamethrower in Dead Space. I even put myself through trying Rule of Rose ( Not worth it ).

But SS2 was scary. The kind of mind battering terror that had me not wanting to open doors, advance the plot, or do anything but curl up into a ball and say 'I wish I was home'. Nothing in the binge of 'horror' games that I played after SS2 scared me badly enough that I just didn't even want to keep going.. Which makes me a bit sad.

[chis]

Totally agree. Every time I finish playing SS2 I have to take a break from gaming completely because I'm so disappointed at how shallow other games are. Not to mention I usually play it two or three times in a row and build my character differently, so I feel like I've been playing it for ages.

Found the same happened, for me, with Mass Effect 2. It's not "horror" (although there's shades of that in a couple of spots), but everyone here with even a vague interest in sci-fi/space games should try it. No, it's nowhere near as slow, unpolished, and un-fun as the first game.

Why mention this here? Because it's taken until now for a modern PC game to reach the heights of classics such as System Shock, and I do believe Mass Effect 2 comes very very close. If not for gameplay, but for the overall experience (the conversations, and the many myriad possibilities they allow for).

[mothra]

Found the same happened, for me, with Mass Effect 2. It's not "horror" (although there's shades of that in a couple of spots), but everyone here with even a vague interest in sci-fi/space games should try it. No, it's nowhere near as slow, unpolished, and un-fun as the first game.

Why mention this here? Because it's taken until now for a modern PC game to reach the heights of classics such as System Shock, and I do believe Mass Effect 2 comes very very close. If not for gameplay, but for the overall experience (the conversations, and the many myriad possibilities they allow for).

Mass Effect 2 is one of the rare games of new (like STALKER) that I can mention with the Greats like DeusEx and SS2 in one sentence without having to put emoticons after it. It is really that good. BUT what I wanted to say is that since SS2 there have been a few notable experiences that met and exceeded my expectations and hopes so not all is bad

[polytourist97]

Mass Effect 2 is one of the rare games of new (like STALKER) that I can mention with the Greats like DeusEx and SS2 in one sentence without having to put emoticons after it. It is really that good. BUT what I wanted to say is that since SS2 there have been a few notable experiences that met and exceeded my expectations and hopes so not all is bad

Good enough for me. I'll have to check it out sooner rather than later (which was the original plan).

[82-T/A]

Ok, you guys might remember me from this cry for help. I have since finished the game, but...why am I sad?

I am sad because they don't make games like this anymore. (And by "they" I mean the big gaming companies published by EA, Activision etc)

1. The mood/ atmosphere.

This was one of the most immersive gaming experiences I've ever had. Seriously. I felt like I was transported to the Von Braun. I wasn't just some guy sitting at a keyboard, I was actually there. It takes a special kind of game to really draw you in to its world like that.

The audio logs were such an ingenious way to present the story, and they definitely added a great deal to the immersion.


This "heart", although hard to describe, is something which I feel is missing in a lot of the games I play today.

Yes, I completely agree...

Honestly, it's kind of sad to say, but I think knowing that there isn't anything much like this game available anymore... I basically stopped playing games. The last game I actually played was System Shock II, and that was back in 2002 or 2003? I think I player Wolf 3D (the newer one obviously) for a few hours or so... and it was good, but honestly, I just gave up playing games after System Shock 2. It would be like if you got to own a Lamborgini Countache 25th Anniversary for a couple of years, and then it was taken away, and you were stuck with a Toyota Corolla for the rest of your life. It's kind of like... why would I even bother? I might as well take the city bus from now on.

I COMPLETELY don't have that kind of personality... but I just know that there's nothing really out there that competes with the storyline and "immersion" of this game. System Shock 1 was a "one in a million" too...

I was born in 78... so gaming in the "80s", I grew up with games like Sentinel Worlds, or StarFlight, or Star Control. System Shock (and subsequently, SS2) took those kinds of story lines, made it better, and took the best of all the games that were available, and put it all into an amazing storyline while at the same time having superior graphics.

The only thing that could ever compete with SS2 would be an SS3...


Todd

[ZylonBane]

What, you haven't played Deus Ex?

[82-T/A]

What, you haven't played Deus Ex?

Wha's that?

I've played Ultima Underworld and Ultima Underworld II though.... heh...

[Enchantermon]

Wha's that?

Deus Ex

[ZylonBane]

Wha's that?

.

[swaaye]

I played Shock 2 first in 2006 and it was one of the most memorable experiences I've had.

My favorite series lately that does fear well is STALKER. I've got all three of the games and I love 'em. Incredible atmosphere. When you wander into underground areas, they are some of the most unnerving games I've ever played. It's all about the atmosphere though, and the wandering aspect. I live for that these days. Fallout 3 is good but these games are better IMO.

I'm waiting on Mass Effect 2 going on sale.

[Zanderat]

I played Shock 2 first in 2006 and it was one of the most memorable experiences I've had.

My favorite series lately that does fear well is STALKER. I've got all three of the games and I love 'em. Incredible atmosphere. When you wander into underground areas, they are some of the most unnerving games I've ever played. It's all about the atmosphere though, and the wandering aspect. I live for that these days. Fallout 3 is good but these games are better IMO.

I'm waiting on Mass Effect 2 going on sale.

A little OT. But the new one from the Penumbra team looks to do fear, perhaps the best ever in a PC game:

http://www.amnesiagame.com/#main

[polytourist97]

That looks interesting. However, having the PC *GASPing and breathing "scared" was a little much. I think that would get obnoxious after a while, I don't know. To me that seems like the horror equivalent of having a laugh track on comedy shows.

[Nameless Voice]

That looks interesting. However, having the PC *GASPing and breathing "scared" was a little much. I think that would get obnoxious after a while, I don't know. To me that seems like the horror equivalent of having a laugh track on comedy shows.

You obviously haven't played Call of Cthulhu: Dark Corners of the Earth.

Was I the only one who loved every moment of Pandorum?

It's a good film. The early part of it is especially reminiscent of SS2.

[Adam Nuhfer]

...There is some truth when people on these forums joke that once you play SS2 you become a gaming pessimist....

The game was/is a masterpiece which has forever changed how I view/play various games.

It's a shame there are so many talented developers out there whom could/can make better games but the marketing department confines them.

[terrannova]

Everytime I play System Shock or System Shock 2, it just doesn't get old. Can't say that about very many games. The atmosphere is so rich in those titles it keeps me coming back 1-2 times a year since 1994.