System Shock

[darthzack79]

So I really want/need to play System Shock 2 because I hear nothing but good things about it and it seems to have some kind of god-like status in the gaming community.

My question is...do I need to play the original System Shock first or can I just jump right into 2?

 

[MJ12 Commando]

I have played both, in reversed order. I say go play SS2 first. It has crummy graphics nowadays but great atmosphere and challenging gameplay that might be enough to keep you going. SS1 however is now totally archaic. It doesn't have such a strong horror theme and the gameplay is similar to that of original Doom. So play that only if your ready for some serious nostalgia. The games also have storyline contradictions so you won't ruin your experience by playing 2 first.

 

[yonsito]

You can apparently improve the textures with SHTUP (http://shtup.home.att.net/) and some character models with SS2 Rebirth (http://www.strangebedfellows.de/index.php/topic,8.0.html).
3D doesn't age well, unfortunately.

 

[propertyofcobra]

You can just jump right into 2. The only thing you need to know: Citadel Station got taken over by SHODAN in SS1. It went asplode.

Voila. All the important backstory, and even that wouldn't be hard to puzzle out by the time you meet up with your friend in SS2.

Also, while the Rebirth mod worked for me, texture update never did. But whatever, I could play it just fine as its original looks without puking.