Forum Overview :: System Shlock 2
 
Influential? by Mischief Maker 06/13/2005, 4:19pm PDT
Universal Plan B wrote:

It was a good game that deserves it's "underground classic" status because it was influential in making the FPS a deeper game.


How?

Half-Life introduced cinematic atmosphere to FPSs.

Thief introduced the concept of sound design being more important than graphics for atmospheric effect. And in my opinion, the biggest fuckup this game made was not the skill system, but rather using the thief engine with the thief AI and making the enemies UNAVOIDABLE.

While, in theory, adding skills should give a FPS the "escalating power" feel of RPGs, in practice all those skills do is make you really bad at everything until you save a zillion experience points to finally make the game control like a regular FPS. A stumbling crawl towards competence. As I said in another forum, DX1 is actually more enjoyable if you use the cheat that raises all your skill levels to maximum. Besides SS2 and DX1, skill levels were only used in, what, Daikatana?

System Shock 1, by the way, gave you that escalating feel of power through increasingly powerful cybernetic upgrades like jet packs and rocket skates without nerfing the actual game controls one bit. The OS upgrades in SS2 were just fucking sad. OMIGOD!!! THIS ADDS 3 SPACES TO YOUR INVENTORY! OH CHRIST!!! WITH THIS UPGRADE YOU LEARN HOW TO LIFT THE WRENCH ABOVE YOUR HEAD BEFORE SWINGING! THAT IS SO... SO... *SPLORT!*

Degrading weapons is just irritating. I can't think of any game ever which would become funner/scarier if you caused the weapons to fall apart after 10 shots.

So what's left? Message logs? I guess that must be it! The secret to making your FPS go deeper is message logs!

Caltrops seems to prefer an uninspired "me too" game to one with original idea that doesn't reach perfection.


So I take it you're a fan of the Derek Smart games?

I believe it was Erik who said this first, but video games can't overcome a crippling flaw like movies can. You can let your mind wander or hit fast forward while Neo and the Senator are having some long cryptic conversation about nothing. But in a video game YOU ARE Neo, standing there fighting your way through the senator's noodle-logic and you cannot progress to the ass-kicking parts until this conversation is concluded!

For the record, Aliens Vs Predator controlled just like any regular FPS, made all your shots connect with whatever was in your crosshairs, started you out with an assault rifle (with underslung grenade launcher) and plenty of ammo, and was possibly the scariest FPS ever made.
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Something Awful forum posters attempt SS2 love-in, encounter FABIO by Man in Gorilla Suit 06/13/2005, 1:41am PDT NEW
    I have it on good authority that SA fags are worse at games than flabio. NT by Creexul :( 06/13/2005, 2:10am PDT NEW
    I don't even remember writing half this stuff -_0 by FABIO 06/13/2005, 2:49am PDT NEW
        Re: I don't even remember writing half this stuff -_0 by Universal Plan B 06/13/2005, 10:46am PDT NEW
            Re: I don't even remember writing half this stuff -_0 by FABIO 06/13/2005, 12:22pm PDT NEW
                All the proof you need that FABIO has a SS2 vendetta. by Arbit 06/13/2005, 6:22pm PDT NEW
                    Re: Arbit being gay by bombMexico 06/13/2005, 7:51pm PDT NEW
                        Congratulations on coming up to date with news from 2 years ago. by Arbit 06/13/2005, 8:56pm PDT NEW
                            you put me in my place by linking to another thread detailing how much SS2 sucks by bombMexico 06/14/2005, 3:53am PDT NEW
                                Why am I so hostile :'( by Arbit 06/15/2005, 12:15am PDT NEW
                        Re: Arbit being gay by FABIO 06/14/2005, 8:42pm PDT NEW
                    wow NT by FABIO 06/14/2005, 8:53pm PDT NEW
            Influential? by Mischief Maker 06/13/2005, 4:19pm PDT NEW
                This is way too fucking long by Universal Plan B 06/13/2005, 11:05pm PDT NEW
                    I'm pretty sure Morrowind took it's inspiration from Daggerfall. NT by Worm 06/14/2005, 12:25am PDT NEW
                        its omgomogmog I mean its SKY FALLING NT by Worm 06/14/2005, 12:26am PDT NEW
                    Far Cry had flaws that made people hate it? by motherfuckerfoodeater 06/14/2005, 8:26am PDT NEW
                        Re: Far Cry had flaws that made people hate it? by Universal Plan B 06/14/2005, 10:46am PDT NEW
                            Re: Far Cry had flaws that made people hate it? by motherfuckerfoodeater 06/14/2005, 11:32am PDT NEW
                                Secondly, I was able to shake enemies all the time. UPB just sucks. NT by Fussbett 06/14/2005, 1:42pm PDT NEW
                                Re: Far Cry had flaws that made people hate it? by Universal Plan B 06/14/2005, 4:41pm PDT NEW
                                    Re: Far Cry had flaws that made people hate it? by motherfuckerfoodeater 06/15/2005, 7:29am PDT NEW
                                        Re: Far Cry had flaws that made people hate it? by Universal Plan B 06/15/2005, 2:23pm PDT NEW
                    Jedi Knight 2? by Voyons Donc 06/14/2005, 2:12pm PDT NEW
                        Re: Jedi Knight 2? by Universal Plan B 06/14/2005, 4:18pm PDT NEW
                            Re: Jedi Knight 2? by Voyons Donc 06/14/2005, 5:48pm PDT NEW
                    Re: This is way too fucking long by FABIO 06/14/2005, 9:30pm PDT NEW
                    Re: This is way too fucking long by Mischief Maker 06/14/2005, 9:57pm PDT NEW
                        Re: This is way too fucking long by Arbit 06/15/2005, 1:34am PDT NEW
                            Arbit needs to get laid NT by binkbot 06/15/2005, 2:55am PDT NEW
                                binkbot is acting up again. NT by binkbot maintenance guy (w wrench) 06/15/2005, 6:50am PDT NEW
                            Are you high, autistic, or just republican? by Mischief Maker 06/15/2005, 2:21pm PDT NEW
                                Re: Are you high, autistic, or just republican? by Arbit 06/15/2005, 4:05pm PDT NEW
                                    Re: Are you high, autistic, or just republican? by FABIO 06/15/2005, 6:25pm PDT NEW
                                        Re: Are you high, autistic, or just republican? by Arbit 06/15/2005, 8:39pm PDT NEW
                                            Everyone just calm down. God, we can debate this like adults can't we? by bombMexico 06/15/2005, 10:22pm PDT NEW
                                you caught me! by Zseni 06/15/2005, 5:49pm PDT NEW
                                    Re: you caught me! by Arbit 06/15/2005, 8:53pm PDT NEW
                            I get it, you're the devil's advocate around here, right? NT by new guy 06/15/2005, 8:36pm PDT NEW
                                No, he's just really passionate about his love/lust for crappy games/FABIO NT by Mischief Maker 06/15/2005, 11:32pm PDT NEW
                                    Don't forget utter hatred of great games like us by Deus Ex, Freespace 2 06/16/2005, 3:06am PDT NEW
                                        Re: Don't forget utter hatred of great games like us by Arbit 06/16/2005, 3:28pm PDT NEW
                                            Re: Don't forget utter hatred of great games like us by Horace Goes Skiing 06/16/2005, 8:10pm PDT NEW
                                    The obsession for me would explain the Zseni theory NT by FABIO 06/16/2005, 5:29pm PDT NEW
                                        And still the world turns by Arbit 06/16/2005, 7:55pm PDT NEW
        they made Freedom Force by bombMexico 06/13/2005, 8:13pm PDT NEW
    I didn't have enough keys to bind all the functions: 0/10 NT by Weyoun Voidbringer 06/13/2005, 1:02pm PDT NEW
    Could someone with a SA login post this for me? by Mischief Maker 06/13/2005, 4:22pm PDT NEW
        Wouldn't be worth it. by Creexul :( 06/14/2005, 12:00am PDT NEW
    Universal Plan B is annoying me in this thread by I need clarification 06/15/2005, 4:23pm PDT NEW
        Re: Universal Plan B is annoying me in this thread by Universal Plan B 06/16/2005, 11:44am PDT NEW
            Re: Universal Plan B is annoying me in this thread by Entropy Stew 06/16/2005, 1:37pm PDT NEW
            jesus by FABIO 06/16/2005, 2:14pm PDT NEW
        INC on games by Fussbett 06/18/2005, 8:51pm PDT NEW
    I'm bumping this thread! by Ice Cream Jonsey 09/13/2007, 3:02am PDT NEW
        Did I mention I tried the demo? if so it's up there somewhere NT by Grumah 09/13/2007, 12:39pm PDT NEW
    I forgot how gay and humorless something awful readers were until this was bumpe by Jhoh Clbbl O_____O 09/13/2007, 8:09pm PDT NEW
 
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