System Shock Review (xSpiderMuffinx)
OK. So I played System Shock 2 as a teenager. And I never played the original.
I have had an eye on this for a while and avoided spoilers and the Demo so I could go in blind. Only 2 hours in and here is my initial thoughts:
The Good:
Style - IT really fits the aesthetic for the original games but runs buttery smooth while still maintaining a good look. I did worry a bit as some textures look a bit pixelated close up but i realised this was a design choice, it isn't bad by any means - think valheim but with higher fidelity (it is barely noticeable unless you are right up staring at something like a karen stares at you when you pick up the last white whine spritzer from the shelf her flip flops wouldn't let her reach).
Shodan - Shodan, shodan shodan shodan. Im hoping that if i say their name enough they will appear and tell me what an insect I am. Seriously, Shodan is the original GladOS with the resentment cranked up to 11. Amazingly voiced, and the glitches and stuttering in their voice really lends that creepy "mad" vibe that just gives you this weird tingle in your loins that only a true yandere can give you. I pursue the story but always hoping to hear her batshit rants again telling me how pathetic I am and what they are going to do to me...
I DONT HAVE A DEGRADATION KINK OK?!
Gameplay: If you never played system shock, think deus ex, you have a pop up inventory you need to manage, and upgrades you can alter your character and playstyle with as well as your weapons. But its a little more survivaly than most shooters (there is no thirst or hunger - except my thirst and hunger for Shodan), and food is purely for healing purposes. It plays a bit like the original thief games (in face from what i remember looking glass studios did them both, or at least used the same engine). The mini games/puzzles done in first person are a nice immersive touch.
The meh:
Inventory management - Ugh, its kinda annoying having to drag and drop individual items for scrapping or selling rather than a quick "move item to container" option or key - much like how i can trash all those weird letters i keep getting about "foreclosure" or "final bill due" and other such nonsense. I mean who has time to read that sh*t when I have a sexy AI to tell me how she's going to put big hard things inside me.
The bad:
Honestly, nothing so far, I can't compare it to the original since i never played it (like how you never ask people practising abstinence what that melon with the suspicious hole cut in it was like). So for now I will continue playing and update if required.
Conclusion:
If you liked the original system shock games, original thief games, or deus ex. Get it.
If you liked bioshock but wanted something with a bit more depth. Get it.
IF you want to be called an insect and verbally degraded by a glitching femme voice, Get it. (and if not, what are you even doing with your life?)
Now if you excuse me, I need to research how to remove the ethical constraints of ChatGP