ss2

System Shock 2, abbreviated SS2, is a science fiction action role-playing game released in 1999. It was developed by Looking Glass Studios in collaboration with Irrational Games and published by Electronic Arts. The game is a standalone sequel to System Shock (1994) and builds on its blend of immersive sim design, role-playing character progression, and first-person action.

Set aboard the starship Von Braun in 2114, SS2 follows a nameless soldier awakened from cryosleep to find the vessel overrun by a genetic engineering outbreak and controlled by the rogue artificial intelligence SHODAN. The player must survive, combat the threat, and uncover the ship’s conspiracies while managing resources, choosing alliances and paths that affect the narrative and endings.

Gameplay emphasizes a hybrid of first-person shooter combat and role-playing mechanics. Characters develop through a classless system with attributes, skills, and cybernetic implants that grant new abilities. Players can specialize in combat, hacking, psi powers, or stealth, and decisions influence both immediate challenges and later outcomes. The game features a nonlinear environment with multiple terminals, dialogue choices, and loot-based progression; it is noted for its atmosphere, tension, and emergent gameplay.

Development utilized Looking Glass’s Dark Engine, and the game shipped for PC in 1999. It received a revitalized release through Night Dive Studios' System Shock 2: Enhanced Edition (2015–2016) with updated compatibility for macOS, Linux, and modern Windows platforms, as well as later Steam and GOG ports.

System Shock 2 is widely regarded as a landmark title and has a lasting influence on later first-person RPGs, including Bioshock’s spiritual lineage and the broader immersive-sim genre. It enjoys a dedicated cult following and is frequently cited among the best games of all time.