
System Shock 2 looks more modern and makes a definite step up from the crude visuals of the first game. Releasing five years after the original gave the developers ample time to take advantage of technological developments. Instead, you’re exposed to flickering lights, distant screams, and nothing but endless space behind the illuminator glass. It doesn’t throw enemies at you until you’ve explored a bit and acclimated to the surroundings. That said, the game is at its best when relying on ambient sounds to build up the atmosphere. There’s no stark contrast between music this time around. Even worse, a corpse hanging from the ceiling indicates that someone just couldn’t bear the thought of becoming an alien. Walls of empty hallways are covered in bullet marks and messages of desperation written in blood. System Shock 2 begins very much like the original but with more emphasis on horror and suspense. Realizing that shit’s hit the fan, you must now work with Dr. Wake Up, Another Rogue AI is In Charge of A SpaceshipĪs the new recruit, you wake up from cryo-sleep. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? System Shock already drew similarities with Alien, but the sequel makes these similarities even more prominent. Of course, the have eggs hatched, infected the crew and turned them into hostile alien species known as “The Many”.

While there, the team discovered eggs of alien origin and subsequently brought them on board ( what a great idea). The Von Braun was sent to investigate a distress signal from Tau Ceti V, a planet outside of the solar system. Initial segments take you through the recruitment process and introduce you to basic gameplay mechanics before sending you to the Von Braun starship. After the events of System Shock, TriOptimum went bankrupt, but like every malevolent corporation, it managed to garner the financing necessary for restructuring. This time around, you’re not an outlaw hacker but rather a rookie employee of the evil TriOptimum megacorp. Written by the prominent creative mastermind Ken Levine, System Shock 2 takes place 42 years after the events of the original game. Alien Eggs and MegaCorps in Space - Welcome to System Shock 2
