Shock 2 also goes for more of a horror vibe and heavier RPG elements. I think it is more difficult to go back to Shock 1 if you played the sequel first since it copies the first game a lot for the story and setting but obviously with some quality of life improvements and better graphics and sounds. With System Shock it's not about action so much as about exploration and getting into the atmosphere and setting.

I would definitely recommend playing Shock 1 first. I like System Shock 1 way better personally, but i know i'm part of a minority. Shock 2 is more of a precursor to Bioshock in that regard since Spector had left the company at that time, and its director Ken Levine would go on to create the Bioshock series. Warren Spector, the director of Deus Ex, was at the helm. The first Shock is a direct precursor to Deus Ex and it shows. System Shock 2 is easier to approach and looks nicer overall, but it's also highly derivative of the original. Don't expect a modern shooter or something like Deus Ex Human Revolution. But it's clunky and feels somewhat budget. System Shock is the classic one the most influential games of all time. SS2 being much more approachable is what made me consider doing it first, but I'd like to try getting into SS1 if I can. I've had both of them for a few months now and haven't felt committed enough to playing them until now.

Well, I got the GOG version and it came with the avatars and wallpapers and stuff, and I like the artwork and story stuff of System Shock even though I haven't played the games yet. Not to mention that the story of the sequel does work even if you don't know what happened in the first game.

SS2 is an infinitely more approachable game and feel like it aged better, it's a lot easier to pick up and play as the interface is far more intuitive. I can't help but find weird that a person with a System Shock avatar is asking for tips on how to play System Shock.Īnyway, even with the enhanced version I couldn't get into SS1 at all, I feel like it's one of those games you needed to experience back in the time it came out to get the most out of it.

System shock 2 garden music