System Shock 2, the atmospheric shooter Bioshock developer Irrational Games, will be available for download from the Good Old Games (GOG) service later today, according to RockPaperShotgun.
First released in 1999, System Shock 2 was an early example of blending RPG stat-building and FPS gameplay. When first released PC Zone called the game a "fabolous example of a modern-day computer game," and was one among many to declare it "a sci-fi horror masterpiece."
System Shock 2 played a critical role influencing many of modern gaming's standard character archetypes. The game's omnipresent antagonist Al SHODAN was a prototype for characters like Portal's GLADOS, or Halo's 343 Guilty Spark. Despite the game's age, SHODAN regularly lands on "Best Enemy" lists years after "her" emergence.
With it's creepy atomsphere, narrative tropes, and cyberpunk aesthetic, many consider the highly influential Deus Ex the spirtual successor to the System Shock. Of course, Irrational's Bioshock also serves as a spritual successor in many respects as well.
Though it looks a bit dated, if any one of the previously mentioned games struck a chord with you, make sure to give System Shock 2 a try. At $9.99, it's a great way get to see the where many of your favorite games came from.
Take a look at the clip below to see what you're getting yourself into.
