N'Al on 13/2/2013 at 15:18
Quote Posted by Neb
If you check the GOG wishlist, SS2 is marked as 'in progress' while SS1 isn't.
Ah.
gunsmoke on 13/2/2013 at 15:50
System Shock 1 was supposed to be released later, after SS2, according to what was linked on FB yesterday. I hope so, it holds up to this day and should be required playing for shooter and RPG fans. It isn't only a history lesson, but a damn fine game.
Bjossi on 13/2/2013 at 16:11
In the case of SS1 I'd say just go with your principles. Whether you download it for free or buy it, it has the same end result; you get the game and the original creators and providers don't get a single penny.
SDF121 on 13/2/2013 at 16:30
Quote Posted by gunsmoke
But yeah, the mouselook mod makes the game infinitely more playable.
I used the mouse look mod when I first played System Shock two years ago but eventually went back to the original controls when I decided to go for a second playthrough with mission/plot/puzzle/time set to 4. While the mouse look mod makes the game more manageable, I found that it sort of limits your abilities when it comes to gun fights as you have to reveal more of your body in order to engage your enemies since you cannot lean. There's definitely an advantage to being able to point and click at any of your targets on the screen. I know its not for everyone but I really liked the controls in the original System Shock once I learned them. It definitely changes the pacing of the game as you dart from corner to corner as you slowly peek around for any unsuspecting enemies to engage. There's just something I really liked about moving around with the older controls.
Quote Posted by faetal
Is there any sense in playing 1? I won't have any nostalgia for playing it first time around, but does it hold up on its own?
Yes!!! Since I never really got into pc gaming until 2001 with Operation Flashpoint and Ghost Recon, I originally missed out on the System Shock games. Even then, it would be another seven years before I would even hear about System Shock. Even then, it wasn't until after I played through Dead Space and heard rumors that it was originally proposed as a spiritual successor to System Shock that I decided to obtain a copy. I ended up settling for SSP and a .iso of SS2. I started with the first System Shock and it immediately became one of my top five games. I should also note that despite playing the game on my netbook while sitting on a couch in the dark, and despite the horrible graphics, I found the game to be absolutely incredible. It had been so long since I found a game that was so engaging. Afterwards, I gave System Shock 2 a spin and while it was just as enjoyable, I can't help but think that the first title is the better game. System Shock 2 is a great game but there's just something about the first game and its plot that gets me every time. I also think the premise of the first is far more horrifying than that of the second game. 2011 was a great year in gaming for me as I also went on to play Fallout, Fallout 2, and Deus Ex. If only I had gotten into PC gaming before the 2000's.
june gloom on 13/2/2013 at 18:09
When it comes to Shock games and their derivatives, it really boils down to this:
Bioshock 2 > System Shock 1 > Dead Space > Dead Space 2 > Bioshock > System Shock 2. (Haven't played DS3, don't really care.) I'm as excited for the SS2 release as anyone, but I really don't think it holds up half as well as its predecessor.
Bjossi on 13/2/2013 at 20:07
My order of preference is quite different:
System Shock 2 > Dead Space > Dead Space 2 > Bioshock 2 > System Shock > Bioshock
SDF121 on 13/2/2013 at 20:27
Quote Posted by Bjossi
My order of preference is quite different
As is mine...
System Shock > System Shock 2 > Dead Space > Dead Space 3 > Dead Space 2 > Bioshock
I could never really get into Bioshock. For me gameplay will always trump story and I felt that Bioshock was an absolute chore to play through. This was true when I first rented the game in 2007 and again in 2012 when I decided to give it another chance after having discovered the System Shock and Dead Space games. Likewise, I had a complete blast playing through Dishonored because the gameplay more than made up for its lack of storytelling. Furthermore, as someone who majored in Philosophy, I felt Bioshock's treatment of its themes as well as its moral choices to be rather shallow.
I'm cautiously optimistic about Bioshock Infinite though as what I've seen has looked interesting. However, I fear it will be just as linear as the original as I will be funneled from one set piece to the next. I'm also curious as to whether or not this title will actually try and make a point or will if it will simply be another hodgepodge of ideas. I've heard Bioshock 2 was pretty good as it allowed for more freedom and player choice. Is there any truth to this? Is it worth checking out?
Pyrian on 13/2/2013 at 22:42
Quote Posted by SDF121
I've heard Bioshock 2 was pretty good as it allowed for more freedom and player choice. Is there any truth to this? Is it worth checking out?
I greatly preferred Bioshock 2's combat system to Bioshock 1. Setting up defenses was fun, and being able to have both a weapon and a power ready at the same time made doing interesting things with them much more reasonable. Even the balance seemed better.
But, more freedom and player choice? Not really.
Kuuso on 13/2/2013 at 22:54
I'm finally able to redeem myself, since I haven't played SS2. Never got it working with a modern system (granted, I didn't even try with my latest pc) so I sorta gave up and forgot about it. I played the first one as a kid LOADS. Funny thing is that I was too young to understand too much(couldn't read English enough to get long pieces of text, but enough to figure out push/pull/open and how to progress in the game), so my gaming was trial & error. I can't remember that much about the actual games besides that the cyberspace was fucking awesome and that game had a really weird difficulty system, which I switched into a mode, where the enemies just don't attack you at all. So I just wondered around exploring the awesome levels.
Briareos H on 13/2/2013 at 23:03
I share Pyrian's opinion regarding Bioshock 2. The combat is more balanced and simply more fun. I also believe that the message it conveys through its (not very interesting) story is much less sanctimonious and in-your-face than the first game. What it certainly is not, however, is more open or non-linear. I really disliked Bioshock but enjoyed its sequel a lot as a game.
On a different note I would be careful about putting Dead Space as a spiritual successor to System Shock. There are simply no cyberpunk elements to it, and I don't see biological horror in the depths of space as the main theme of the System Shock series. The games are enjoyable, though, that's for sure.
