Been a while since we had an update and that update happens to be the first PC game featured on GTTS. System Shock 2. Released back in 1999 by Looking Glass Studios and Irrational games, this game really set the bar that year for action adventure and in my eyes is still the prime example of cyber punk done right!.

For those of you familiar with BioShock 1 or 2, you probably somehow stumbled upon its earlier predecessor, System Shock. The first game was a shot in the dark, back in 1994-95. This later installment really pushed up the graphics and game play, and for the time, they were top notch. One of the first FPS/RPG games to really bring the best to the table, no two players would be exactly the same in the choice and development of their abilities. It should be noted that while not the first game to bring these things together, this game did perfect it, and is the basis for numerous games, BioShock obviously, but also Mass Effect, Morrowind, Oblivion, etc etc.

Story wise, this game in convoluted and complex as hell. Taking place after the first game, you play a protagonist who either specializes in weapons, technical hacking and stealth, or psychic powers. Along the way they battle infected humans, monsters, robots, and eventually the big baddie the A.I. SHODAN. It's not the strongest writing or pacing in the world, but the story was excellent, if a bit cliche. Mixing in equal parts adventure and FPS, as well as horror survival, the game appealed to every since of PC gamers at the time.

Gameplay on the other hand does lean more towards horror/survival. Though the coarse of the game, you will acquire currency in the form of "nanites" which you will spend on ammunition, health, items, etc. Also the game featured "quantum-rebirth chambers", this is where you go when you die to be respawned... if you have the currency to spend. If not, you will be reset to the last save point which are few and far between.

None of this is new. So why is this game on a blog about games taking skill? Many gamers are spoiled now. Playing BioShock 2 or Mass Effect 2, if you die, there is little consequence. You start back over at a save point good as new. In System Shock, if you die, you had massive penalties to pay. The ammo you used, gone; the health items you consumed, spent; and the currency used to revive you was forever lost. And these rebirth chambers weren't just around every corner, no, they tended to be so far back that it was often easier to just restart the level.

And set backs will occur. Enemies can soak up some damage like you wouldn't believe. A few headshots would put anyone else down, but here, you'll spend more time checking corners, running backwards, and shouting for help than you'd like. The difficulty curb never slackens either. Instead, it just keeps going and going until it reaches murderously hopeless. But it's never the games fault, never relying on cheap deaths, instant kills, or enemies that have gimmicks. No, it's just hard. And depending on weather or not you go into a situation prepared usually is the deciding factor on if you continue on or not.

The game hasn't aged well, I'm sad to say. The graphics and gameplay are before the revolutions of the following decade. But sufficed to say, back then, this game was a test of skill, and it still holds true today.

Cheers everyone, and I'm sorry for the long delay. Comment and enjoy and I hope to see you next week!