System Shock 2 Developer: Irrational Games / Looking Glass Studios Publisher: Electronic Arts Category: : 3D Action-Adventure / RPG System Req: Pentium II 300+ ;64 Mb RAM; 8x CD-ROM; 3D accelerator; 500 Mb HD Might look like: System Shock 1, any experience-based 3D Shooter Date posted: 5 March 2000 Written By: Jochen - This game was tested on Pentium III 500; 128 Mb RAM; 32x CD-ROM; 500 Mb; 3dfx VooDoo II - A little Introduction Here it is ! The game no one dared to dream off ! System Shock 2 is , as you may have guessed, the sequel to System Shock (SS). In its days SS was a sophisticated game, mixing several elements of different genres into something very special. In a period when DOOM 1 was considered the hottest game on earth (and indeed it was), SS was named the 'thinking-man's' shoot-em-up. Despite the very positive reviews in numerous gaming magazines, SS was only moderately received by the gaming public. This was mainly due to pixelated graphics and the fact that SS was and is NOT an ordinary FPS. On the surface one is tempted to think so, but on the inside SS and SS2 are highly complicated games. The SS games are based on a very rich story line in which you, the player, take a key role. It is much more based on storytelling and character development than on just shooting your way to the exit à la Doom and Quake and numerous other variants. But enough history ! Let's get this thing rolling ! AT EASE, SOLDIER ! In 2072 Earth has colonies spread throughout the galaxy, lead by economic conglomerates like the TriOptimum Corporation. Each of the colonies owns a powerful mainframe computer controlled by an advanced Artificial Intelligence named SHODAN (Sentient Hyper-Optimised Data Access Network). But SHODAN becomes self-aware and creates his own agenda; most of the colonists of Citadel City are killed and survivors are used in terrible bionic experiments. SHODAN prepares to take over the Earth but a skillful hacker manages to crack the computer of the SHODAN satellite and destroys the treat. Earth is saved … . 2097. Earth's population has not forgotten the Citadel City incident. After 35 years of social unrest the planet is divided in several groups and national governments have created the UNN, the Unified National Nominate, in order to withstand the pressure of the conglomerates. 2111. Colonisation of our Solar sytem comes to an end. Thanks to the new FTL technology by which ships can travel faster than light, the UNN prepares to colonize new systems. By 2114 a ship with FTL capability is built and named the Von Braun. It will embark on a mission to test the new drive-system, accompanied by a military cruiser, the Rickenbacker. Months after the initial launch, the Von Braun is plagued by several system failures; the engine cooling system leaks and the main computer XERXES behaves strangely . And then the ship's radio receives a distress signal … from the surface of Tau Ceti, millions of miles out of explored space … . New Users, read the manual please! System Shock 2 is a complicated game to start with so I really recommend you read the manual first before getting into the action. Controls are rather numerous, but don't let that scare you; the supplied documents are first class on setting you on the right track for your adventure onboard the Von Braun.    There is a quick-start section, but this is only good for getting used to a keyboard - mouse control setup. You will not get far without reading the rest of the 42 pages. Luckily everything is explained in an understandable way and the layout and contents table are top. Throughout the manual you will find lots of flavour text and background information. Be sure to read them carefully ... You'll need it. Next Page Up Previous Page If you want to review your favorite game, or if you work with a computer game company and want your products reviewing, mail info@playdevil.com. All contributions are welcome. Any problems and/or suggestions are always appreciated on webmaster@playdevil.com Nothing of this entire Site, animation & logo's included, may be reproduced, stored, saved, transmitted, in any form or means, electronic, written or otherwise without the prior permission of PlayDevil. Other Logos & Names are Copyrighted Material of its respectful owners. All Rights Reserved. PlayDevil Productions © 199/8-199/9-200/0 "rip your own stuff"