Starting stats will be affected by the military branch chosen and four training courses the character must attend. Upon finishing the opening cinematic, players are trained in the basics of combat and exploration before choosing an initial character build. I’m Going to Need a Bigger Wrenchĭespite the game’s old age, the mix of RPG, action, and survival horror elements make for a unique gameplay style. Finding out how the situation grew out of control so drastically serves as a driving force to keep players moving forward. While this may not be the best story Levine has ever written, it still manages to be intriguing despite the occasional predictable twist. Much like the first Bioshock, most of the game’s story is told through recorded logs of the setting’s denizens. Aside from a fellow survivor promptly giving the man orders from a radio, the man is alone as he faces off against the many horrors occupying the ship. Players take the role of an unnamed soldier who wakes up from a cryogenic sleep in the aftermath of the ships’ downfall. Unfortunately for the crew of both ships, the unknown proves to be far more formidable than they could ever imagine. With the Von Braun and Rickenbacker, two powerful starships at the ready, the elite scientists and soldiers of Earth work together in an attempt to uncover the unknown. After the destruction of the evil A.I., Shodan, and the disposal of the mutagen intended to infect Earth, mankind once again takes to the stars in the name of science. The year is 2114 cybernetics, intelligent computer A.I.s, space travel, and psychic abilities are all commonplace in the world of System Shock 2. Despite a few crow’s feet, it has managed to age very well. For the first time, System Shock 2 has been made available on Steam, a chance for gamers to look back at an important part of gaming history.

Most roads lead back to System Shock 2, a game that was obviously a deep influence for the team’s later work on Bioshock. After the success of the Bioshock franchise, many have tried to look back at other games involving creator and lead writer Ken Levine.

Character builds system shock 2