System Shock 2

System Shock 2 is a first-person action-adventure role-playing game hybrid developed by Looking Glass Studios and published by Electronic Arts. It is the sequel to System Shock and considered the spiritual predecessor to BioShock.

Fast Facts

1. Developer: Looking Glass Studios
2. Publisher: Electronic Arts
3. Platform: PC
4. Was planned for release on the Dreamcast, but was eventually canceled
5. Mode: Single player, cooperative multiplayer
6. ESRB Rating: Mature (M)
7. Release Date: August 11, 1999

Story

System Shock 2 takes place in the same game world as the original title where Earth has already colonized other planets. The governments of Earth have come together in the form of a new entity titled the UNN (United National Nominate). A new ship, the Von Braun, is being built that uses a new engine that will make the craft capable of faster than light travel. However something goes wrong. You are on a ship that discovers a distress signal. When you investigate, you discover that the message is coming from the Von Braun. The entire crew is dead and it is up to you to figure out what happened.

Gameplay

System Shock 2 lets you build the kind of character you wantand you can choose to be: Marines (who are mostly combat oriented), Navy (who specializes in technology and research) or the OSA (a special service that teaches psychic powers). Once you've selected a service, you pick from three different assignments that teach you different skills and abilities. There are ten different skills in the game, all of which will be useful as you progress through the game. There are also five statistics, Strength, Endurance, Psionics, Agility, and Cybernetic Affinity. Cybernetic modules allow you to upgrade units to buy improvements in your different skills and stats. The game is in a first person point of view and much of the weaponry revolves around firearms. Your weapons eventually break over time, or if it isn't properly maintained will malfunction. Combat is played similarly to first person shooters. The AI is intelligent and if neighboring enemies hear fighting they will join the fight.

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