Matt Chat

System Shock 2 (1x34)

: 16, 2009

This week, I look at Irrational Games' System Shock 2, a cult classic hybrid of FPS and RPG. Set in a cyberpunk landscape of robots and mutants, System Shock 2 might be classified as survival horror--yet its RPG system seems distinctly inspired by the likes of GDW's Traveller role playing system. In any case, System Shock 2 inspired many later FPS hits, particularly Bioshock. In the video, I give the history of the game's development, showing footage from Ultima Underworld, System Shock, and Thief: The Dark Project.