SShock2.com -- System Shock 2 Community Center -- A Digital Nightfall / TTLG Production

System Shock 2 Reviewed at Game Post - 011:40pm EST - James

Intrusion site: Game Post.
Detected By: Target Surrendered Voluntarily.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: Despite grave complaints about the graphics, the review raves about every other element of Shock 2: "System Shock 2 is one of, if not THE, best games to be released this year. It combines awesome storytelling, a simplistic successful interface, wonderful voice acting, and a noble attempt at graphics considering the limits of the engine to succeed in making an event of a game."
Recommended Countermeasure: Target is essentially friendly but needs new glasses.

Scanning for new targets....

System Shock 2 Reviewed at Adrenaline Vault - 05:25pm EST - James

Intrusion site: Adrenaline Vault.
Detected By: Own Sensor Systems
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: Chris Harding begins was a great story about his depth of immersion into Shock 1. Despite gripes about the game being tough, weapon degradation, lack of multiplayer, and thinking the interface will be intimidating to action gamers, he concludes, "It's a masterpiece of storytelling that is so compelling, you'll want to play it non-stop until you finish it. Irrational Games, Looking Glass Studios and EA are to be congratulated for doing what I thought impossible -- giving us a worthy sequel to the greatest game I have ever played. Is it better than the original you ask? No-- but it's certainly not any worse." He assigns it a 5/5 overall, and claims he'd give the sound an 8/5 if he could. A final quote: "If playing games is more of a religion than a hobby to you, meet your new bible. And on that same point, if you weren't a religious person before you started playing, you will be once you're done."
Recommended Countermeasure: Target is friendly but shows dangerous signs of "independent thinking".

Scanning for new targets....

System Shock 2 Gets a 9/10 at Gamecenter - 05:15pm EST - James

Intrusion site: Gamecenter.
Detected By: Own Sensor Systems
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: Tom Chick writes a review that includes a number of possible spoilers - ranging from commentary on the skills you may need to survive the endgame to veiled commentary on the tales of some of the ghosts (and I haven't looked at the pictures.) The review is filled with negative comments on nearly every aspect of the game, such that Tom eventually comments, "All of these complaints may make it seem as though I don't like System Shock 2, but nothing is further from the truth. I loved this game.... [snip] System Shock 2 is a game that's so good that I'm surprised it isn't a little better."
Recommended Countermeasure: And I'm surprised the review wasn't a little better.

Scanning for new targets....

System Shock 2 Gets 95% at Stereovision.net - 05:30pm EST - James

Intrusion site: Stereovision.net.
Detected By: Target Surrendered Voluntarily.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: Quetzalcoatl writes not only a very positive review of Shock 2, but reviews its compatibility with various pieces of stero headgear as well. Apparently, it works!
Recommended Countermeasure: Target is classified friendly and should be accorded assistance if needed.

Scanning for new targets....

Imaginary Life Gives Shock 2 1000/1000 - 05:30pm EST - James

Intrusion site: Imaginary Life.
Detected By: Target Surrendered Voluntarily.
Threat category: Review Links For System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: Darcy Norman has a vast array of links to review of games - apparently over 1,000 links to over 300 games. I did not count to be sure. 8) In addition to links to four Shock 2 reviews, he assigns a rating out of 1000. Shock 2 has the perfect score!
Recommended Countermeasure: Target is classified friendly and should be accorded assistance if needed.

Scanning for new targets....

System Shock 2 Gets 4.5/5 at The Hive - 05:30pm EST - James

Intrusion site: The Hive.
Detected By: Quetzalcoatl.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: In a review with very few complaints, Rod White praises Shock 2. Interestingly, Rod is a self-confessed action gamer who actually likes the weapon maintenance system; usually, the RPG reviwers like this and the Action gamers do not. A tidbit for all you Quote Junkies (you know who you are 8) : "System Shock 2 is truly game of the year material."
Recommended Countermeasure: Target is classified friendly and should be accorded assistance if needed.

Scanning for new targets....

The Powergamerz Look at Shock 2 - 05:30pm EST - James

Intrusion site: Powergamerz.
Detected By: Quetzalcoatl.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: The review is positive, yet somehow lukewarm. I'd guess the reviewer is more of an action gamer, who enjoyed the break of having a plot, but, as the reviwer puts it, "The game is great fun, especially in lul before the Dreamcast and Tiberian Sun." Spelling and grammar are optionals in the review, which gives Shock 2 a piddling 7.5 out of 10.
Recommended Countermeasure: An alpha strike would normally be indicated, but given their passivity, do we care?

Scanning for new targets....

GameOver Reviews System Shock 2 - 05:30pm EST - James

Intrusion site: GameOver.
Detected By: Quetzalcoatl.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: This site produces reviews by a pair of gamers, Pseudonim and Wolf. Both are underwhelmed by Shock 2, giving it an overall 82%. Pseudonim has this gem: "I got bored of that [Half-Life] faster than I got bored with SS2". Both compliment the plot, then whine about graphics; and they are both most incredibly peeved at the lack of multiplayer out of the box. It's kind of strange, in this and the previous review (PowerGamerz), to see reviwers who cannot manage to express the reasons that Shock 2 failed to grab them. They like the bits, yet are clearly unenthralled by the package.
Recommended Countermeasure: Cyborg Detachment 3: Bring these dirty no-techs to justice!

Scanning for new targets....

System Shock 2 Reviewed at GameSpot - 10:40pm EST - James

Intrusion site: GameSpot.
Detected By: Own Sensor Systems
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: Desslock writes a strangely hot-and-cold review, praising many aspects of Shock 2, yet is unimpressed by the initial aspects of character generation; he thinks the Navy character is the easiest to play in the early going. The overall score of 8.5 seems to reflect Desslock's liking the game overall, yet not quite considering it truly awesome, as shown by a "reviewer's tilt" score of 8. This is the least positive review of Shock 2 yet. If you go read the review, you can also write your own review and submit it.
Recommended Countermeasure: Target is Disagreeable. Commence "Player Reviews" immediately.

Scanning for new targets....

SS2 Gets a Silver Award from GamesDomain - 10:40pm EST - James

Intrusion site: GamesDomain.
Detected By: Digital Nightfall, Marci.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: [Note: This is on the basis of a summary provided to me by Digital Nightfall.] This is a fairly positive reivew - some aspects of it, in fact, very much glow: "no other computer game has ever had the horrific effect on me that System Shock 2 did." On the other hand, Daniel Roy complains about "showstopper" bugs and the lack of multiplayer; this, apparently, being enough to keep a game he otherwise raves about from getting GDR's Gold Award. However, the big failing of this review is that it apparently contains major spoilers from the endgame in its screenshots. This is a stunningly bad move on the part of the reviewer; every other review I have seen has been careful to avoid spoilers.
Recommended Countermeasure: AVOID THIS REVIEW UNLESS YOU HAVE FINISHED THE GAME because of major spoilers, from the endgame, in the screenshots.

Scanning for new targets....

System Shock Spotlit at All Games Network - 10:40pm EST - James

Intrusion site: All Games Network.
Detected By: Catalyst
Threat category: GameTime Episode on System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: The article crashes Netscape for me. Due to this antisocial behaviour, I can only inform all units that the site exists.
Recommended Countermeasure: Further investigation required.

Scanning for new targets....

System Shock 2 gets 92% - 10:40pm EST - James

Intrusion site: GA-RPG.
Detected By: Digital Nightfall.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: David Gallay reviews Shock 2 from the perspective of a role-player, and is very well pleased with what he finds. He considers the voice-acting to be "professional"; "There were many times where a certain voice bit was so good, I would just play it over and over again to immerse myself deeper in the plot and the role." Another quote: " it offers up more atmosphere, tension and genuine chills than anything since an old Infocom text adventure" - which, for those of you old enough to remember them, is high praise indeed. David's complaints are essentially that the game is very difficult, especially for people used to point-and-click RPG/adventure games.
Recommended Countermeasure: Target essentially friendly but should be monitored from observation point "west of house".

Scanning for new targets....

Insomniax Loves System Shock 2 - 10:40pm EST - James

Intrusion site: Insomniax.
Detected By: Digital Nightfall.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: Gaylen Della calls System Shock 2 "a perfect blend of all the elements gamers want". If you want to read a review with no complaints about Shock 2, here it is. The only sour note in the review is a caveat that not everyone will necessarily like the blending of RPG and action.
Recommended Countermeasure: Any target that says "This is a perfect game" must already be a wholly-owned Trioptimum subsidiary.

Scanning for new targets....

GamePrix Rates Shock 2 9.4 - 10:40pm EST - James

Intrusion site: GamePrix.
Detected By: Own Sensor Systems.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: This review begins by calling Shock 1 "one of the high points in the history of gaming" and ends by calling Shock 2 "undoubtedly one of the best games this year". In between these crunchy outsides is lots of chewy sweetness and light about how wonderful Shock 2 is.
Recommended Countermeasure: Finance Division is being interrogated regarding this site's status: suspected to be a wholly-owned subsidiary.

Scanning for new targets....

SS2 Gets Thresh's FiringSquad's Editor's Choice Award - 04:00pm EST - James

Intrusion site: Thresh's FiringSquad.
Detected By: MistaCool, Catalyst, Matthew Rorie.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: Thresh is well known as the master of Quake deathmatch. Written by Bob "CalBear" Colayco, the review raves about System Shock 2. The review begins with the sentiment that "System Shock 2 isn't really a game. It is fear and paranoia packaged in a shrink-wrapped disc". After a detailed and careful look at the game, noting minor complaints about the monster models and the hacking, the review ends by giving Shock a 4.5 out of 5: "System Shock 2 is a gaming triumph. Looking Glass and Irrational Games have expertly melded a variety of different genres to create one of the most involving single player experiences we've had in a long time."
Recommended Countermeasure: We have infiltrated the target and it is now allied.

Scanning for new targets....

System Shock 2 Reviewed at Intelligamer - 02:00pm EST - James

Intrusion site: Intelligamer.
Detected By: Own Sensor Systems
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: "Fans of first person shooters owe it to themselves to try System Shock 2." So Christian Schock informs us. He does complain about difficult combats, lack of multiplayer when-it-shipped, and claims the character class differences even out by the end-game. Nonetheless, this is, you guessed it, another quite positive review, assigning 4.5 stars.
Recommended Countermeasure: Target is classified non-hostile and should be monitored.

Scanning for new targets....

System Shock 2 Reviewed at Wewp! Entertainment - 02:00pm EST - James

Intrusion site: Wewp! Entertainment.
Detected By: Own Sensor Systems
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: Mike Simmons continues the triumphant march of System Shock 2, producing possibly the most positive review to date: his only complaint is that some battle late in the game was too tough. He writes with a sarcastic touch at times, as seen here: "Shock 2 isn't the prettiest game you'll ever play, and that's no problem with me. Quake 3 is beautiful, too bad it's the same thing they've shipped now for the past 4 years." Oddly enough, the sarcasm is always directed at titles other than Shock 2. He rates it 9/10, and concludes, "My advice? Run out. Buy it. Play it with the lights off, and the volume up. Nothing else released this year comes close. And I doubt at this point that anything will before the year is up."
Recommended Countermeasure: Target is classified friendly and should be accorded assistance if needed.

Scanning for new targets....

Computer Games Online Reviews System Shock 2 - 02:00pm EST - James

Intrusion site: Computer Games Online.
Detected By: Identity Withheld by Trioptimum Corporate Security.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2 .
Threat analysis: The review begins, "Finally, a true action/RPG that gets both parts right" and continues in a very complimentary vein from there, with the odd complaint about weapon repairs and graphics. Robert Mayer does award it a 5 out of 5, though, and concludes, " If all PC games were this good, we reviewers would be out of business."
Recommended Countermeasure: Target is classified non-hostile and potentially friendly: site should be monitored.

Scanning for new targets....

GamePen Reviews System Shock 2 - 02:00pm EST - James

Intrusion site: GamePen.
Detected By: Kyote.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: Cenk Sensoy coments at one point that "this may be one of the scariest and most intense games I have ever played." Thus it is no surprise that this is a positive review. In contrast to many, Cenk notes that the weapon degradation is "an incredibly refreshing and different aspect to the gameplay." While Cenk can't refrain from criticizing the graphics and the respawn rate, he also says Shock 2 "has taken what I am calling first person role playing games to a new dimension."
Recommended Countermeasure: Target is classified non-hostile and potentially friendly: site should monitored.

Scanning for new targets....

PC IGN Reviews System Shock 2 - 02:00pm EST - James

Intrusion site: PC.IGN.
Detected By: Mark Allman, MistaCool.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: Trent Ward registers mere niggles at some aspects of respawning and weapons repair. Other than that, there's not an unkind word to be found in this review, and an awful lot of rather kind ones: "Brilliant" sound; "Great 3D models that have very quick, life-like movements"; "I would recommend this title for just about anyone who's over the age of 16 (this game is really scary) and who likes deep rich play adventures."
Recommended Countermeasure: Target is classified friendly and should be accorded necessary assistance.

Scanning for new targets....

3D Action Planet Reviews System Shock 2: "Engrossing" - 02:00pm EST - James

Intrusion site: 3D Action Planet.
Detected By: Kyote.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: From my logfile: "SHODAN has proven herself a brilliant biochemist. This review is like.... like nothing I've ever seen. I asked some of the crew to go into the review and find a real complaint, and they just looked at me like I was crazy." Even the criticism of the graphics engine is muted. In the course of a lengthy, in-depth, thoughtful review, we are told that "SS2 has more atmosphere than any other twenty games combined", and "criticizing SS2 for having no deathmatch mode makes about as much sense as criticizing Curse of Monkey Island for not having building queues". And thus Quake-land joins the campaign to bring our lord SHODAN to power.
Recommended Countermeasure: Target is classified friendly and should be accorded necessary assistance.

Scanning for new targets....

Next Generation Online Reviews System Shock 2 - 02:00pm EST - James

Intrusion site: Next Generation Online.
Detected By: Pyro Blackflame.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: In a short review that reads like a press release, another site bows down before the awesome might of Shock 2. "At its best, it is intensely frightening and suspenseful; at its worst, incredibly difficult." Interestingly, the review does not mention the delay of multiplayer, merely noting in its summary sidebar that the game will support 4 players.
Recommended Countermeasure: Target is classified probably friendly and should be monitored.

Scanning for new targets....

System Shock 2 Reviewed at Speedy 3D - 02:00pm EST - James

Intrusion site: Speedy 3D.
Detected By: Identity Withheld by Trioptimum Corporate Security.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: Mark Jackson rates Shock 2 at 95% in a very positive review, conlcuding, " Put simply, one of the best games I have EVER played in my life, it's a rich combination for all elements of gameplay, pieced together perfectly and served up on a plate that anybody can eat from." That despite disappointment with wimpy weapon effects!
Recommended Countermeasure: Target is classified non-hostile and potentially friendly: site should be monitored.

Scanning for new targets....

And Finally, GamePower Reviews System Shock 2 - 02:00pm EST - James

Intrusion site: GamePower.
Detected By: Shawn Hanson.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: "System Shock 2 represents computer gaming at its pinnacle, combining unsurpassed graphics with genre-bending action and the best plot this side of Half-Life." Indeed, Rick Broida calls Shock 2 "the thinking man's Half-Life" and praises the plot, along with nearly every other aspect of the game, rating it 4 out of 4. Despite noting troubles with the music cutting in and out, and thinking the lighting could have used some work, he ends with a sentiment we can all agree with: "Here's hoping we don't have to wait another five years for the next installment."
Recommended Countermeasure: Target is classified friendly and should be accorded assistance as necessary.

Scanning for new targets....

Review of SS2 Demo at Strikezone - 02:30pm EST - James

Intrusion site: Strikezone.
Detected By: Aaron Eskam (Subject surrendered voluntarily).
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2 Demo.
Threat analysis: Aaron Eskam has written a very positive review of the demo for Shock 2. Among the noteworthy opinions expressed, Aaron praised the skill and cunning of the AI: "This aspect alone plays a vital role in making the player feel like the hunted, instead of the hunter as in most other first person shooters."
Recommended Countermeasure: Target is classified friendly and should be accorded assistance as necessary.

Scanning for new targets....

First Impressions of SS2 at One Gamer's Voice - 02:30pm EST - James

Intrusion site: One Gamer's Voice.
Detected By: David Long (Target surrendered voluntarily).
Threat category: First Impressions of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: This would count as a full review at many sites. It is long, detailed, and very positive. One summation of the game: "This game is like a great film. It will affect you and take you somewhere you've never been. You'll be a part of the crew of the Von Braun. You will feel betrayed and left for dead. You will feel outnumbered a million to one with only a wrench and your wits keeping you alive." Excellent, thoughtful review - er, first impression.
Recommended Countermeasure: Target is classified friendly and should be accorded assistance as necessary.

Scanning for new targets....

Review of SS2 at Gamers Central - 02:30pm EST - James

Intrusion site: Gamers Central.
Detected By: Kyote.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: Chaos writes a very positive review of System Shock 2, praising everything from its atmosphere - Fear and paranoia all of a sudden seem to be your best pals, they just follow you everywhere." - to the GamePig: "Only trouble is that you may get a bit carried away with this little gadget and fail to notice that mutant creeping near."
Recommended Countermeasure: Target is classified friendly and should be accorded assistance as necessary.

Scanning for new targets....

System Shock "one amazing game" - 04:00pm EST - James

Intrusion site: GamesMania.
Detected By: FunkyBitch. Detection Window Narrowed By: GibMonkey, Cosmic.
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: Jason MacIsaac, the self-proclaimed "world's biggest System Shock junkie", very clearly is also a System Shock 2 junkie. Among other comments, he notes of the level design that, "It's very easy to believe that people worked and lived in this place. It's uh...even easier to believe that they died in this place." He concludes, "If you at all like any of the following genres--action, RPG, and adventure, especially when they borrow elements from each other, this is the game you should be playing. Now if you'll excuse me, I haven't tried playing as a pure tech guy yet..."
Recommended Countermeasure: Target is classified friendly and should be accorded assistance as necessary.

Scanning for new targets....

System Shock: 100% - 04:00pm EST - James

Intrusion site: Antagonist Games Network.
Detected By: Namrok (as well as others, but he was the 1st - Dan)
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: ANT Caustic rates System Shock 2 100%. Review includes the phrases: "It is as close to perfect as I believe a computer game can get."; and "System Shock 2 is the best game I have ever played."
Recommended Countermeasure: Target is classified friendly and should be accorded assistance if needed.

Scanning for new targets....

"System Shock 2 is every bit as thrilling as the original" - 04:00pm EST - James

Intrusion site: Next Generation Online
Reporting Unit: Ken Levine
Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.
Threat analysis: Review is a tad short. While the reviewer is unimpressed by the graphics, "All these elements combine to create a mood so immersing that, before long, the technical issues dissolve, and the player is enveloped and involved in an often-terrifying and suspenseful plot."
Recommended Countermeasure: Site is currently friendly but shows signs of infiltration. Vigilance is necessary.

Scanning for new targets....

System Shock 2 Pulls In A 9.6 - 01:30pm EST - James

Intrusion site: Monolithic Illusions.

Threat category: Review of System Shock 2.

Threat analysis: Review gives a 9.6 out of 10 overall. Review characterized by phrases such as: "SS2 has what most shooters do not - a good story"; " virtually endless replay value", " I truly commend Looking Glass", and " One of the most remarkable aspects of SS2 is the AI."

Recommended Countermeasure: Target is non-hostile but all units should visit the site to ensure this remains the case.

Scanning for new targets....