Welcome to the Let's Play of System Shock 2
The 9th Let’s Play for Penny Arcade. I still hope me screaming and jumping at bumps in the night still entertains!
I started this one due to the many that never get off the ground. I thought it would be nice to see it through.
So, what’s System Shock 2 about?
Frankly, I have no idea. I have never played the game. This will be my first time going through it. All I have heard was it was good and well worth playing.
With that in mind, tips and hints would be very much appreciated. I will need them I'm thinking.
The game was sent to me very kindly by Stolls. Thanks so much man!
What's Wikipedia say about it? System Shock 2 is an action role-playing video game, designed by Ken Levine for the personal computer. The title is a sequel to the 1994 PC game System Shock, and was co-developed by Irrational Games and Looking Glass Studios.
The game takes place on board a starship in a cyberpunk depiction of 2114. The player assumes the role of a lone soldier trying to stem the outbreak of a genetic infection that has devastated the ship. Like System Shock, Gameplay consists of first person shooting and exploration. A role-playing system allows the player to develop unique skills and traits, such as hacking and psionic abilities.
The layout
The video will be posted in sets. These will be from 2 - 4 videos and contained in the spoilers.
Should you need it/if it’s available, press HQ for the higher quality Youtube video.
Enjoy!
The videos!
Set 1 - Let's Play System Shock 2
Set 2 - Bang on the glass
Set 3 - Psychic Monkeys!
Set 4 - A Shotgun! Wait...Nooooooooooo
Set 5 - Xerxes is not a real British Computer
Set 6 - To Engineering!
Set 7 - The short one
Set 8 - Hacking Hassle
Set 9 - Why are they waving!?
Set 10 - The fixing has begun
Set 11 - Guns are now useful
Set 12 - It's always the ladders
Set 13 - That's a Midwife?
Set 14 - The Wrench is a Man's best friend
Set 15 - Cool as ice
Set 16 - Eight Legged freaks
Set 17 - Shodan's Lightshow
Set 18 - Aghh! Monster Closet!
Set 19 - When there's trouble...
Set 20 - Code Guessing
Set 21 - Power Rangers
Set 22 - It's the only way to be sure
Set 23 - Snap crackle and pop
Set 24 - Distractions
Set 25 - Bulkhead 43
Set 26 - Oh so it's called the Rickenbacker
Set 27 - Indy never had this problem
Set 28 - Ladders are bad for your health
Set 29 - A curse of insects upon ye
Set 30 - A date with Shodan
Bonus Content - Contra - Rated 'M' for manly
See all of my Let's Plays Here:
Youtube Channel!
Posts
So yeah, Navy is my suggestion. Otherwise OSA.
Also: before entering the shuttle for your final year of training (year 3), pay attention to the robot behind the glass panel (not the one at reception that you're facing as you enter, there's another one further in).
Also also: Fortunately for Helloween, this game has a map.
Also also also: Mantling. Jump at a low object but hold the jump button, you'll grab onto the edge and lift yourself up. That's what you were getting wrong in basic training.
Oh, and I recommend Navy too.
Hacking is also good, and Maintain reduces the wear and tear on weapons (a legendarily cumbersome feature in the game).
Strength is all-important. Inventory space is really quite limited.
Generally, the allure and challenge of SS2 all comes from the fact that it is a game of economics - getting shit done and making efficiency with scarce resources. Take out every shotgun shell even from jammed shotguns enemies drop, use quicksave and quickload so you can defeat those nasty turrets without having to go forward with lots of damage and make sure you search everywhere. Oh, and always try to have some nanites on you.
Edit: There is a mod scene that has done some work on making the game a little better-looking etc. Also, there is a mod that makes weapons wear themselves out slower. Just in case you feel to hampered.
Hopefully this will cheer me out of the sucky place I am in right now.
*edit* One more vote for the Navy here.
Citadel Station?
Is this the setup of a blowjob joke?
I've been hurt before.
(I'm going to come off as such the douchehole if one of JZ's relatives or acquaintances recently passed away or something similar)
Nah, I'm just in a bit of downer mood lately. Nothing horrible.
Although playing Bioshock before this might be a bit of a.... I dunno
I hope I can cheer you up with this again tomorrow then :P
Youtube Channel!
Another vote for navy too.
Bulk up on hacking, maintenance and melee; get the secondary melee strike when the opportunity arises. The anti-poison and anti-radiation skills are really useful too, as is increased agility; but if you go the strength route then you might not need to be fast.
Half the fun is working out your own play style with this game. Your way may not be the best way, but the game will let you play it however you like. I know it took me a while to realize I could even use my psionic abilities. I'm pretty sure the amplifier is the tilde key (~) by default, and then you can cycle through your abilities with the function keys.
Also, just a warning. When you are done playing, don't just quicksave, you actually have to hit ESC and click save or your game wont ACTUALLY save.
Lastly, DOWNLOAD THE HIGH DEFINITION CONTENT PACK! Which replaces models, textures and fixes many bugs and unfinished side missions. There are instructions here - http://www.gnomeslair.com/2007/03/system-shock-2-2k7.html
Say hi to Shodan for me.
I have them both already. It's modded with just them in fact. The latest rebirth and the latest texture one.
Youtube Channel!
/reinstall
Go navy.
EDIT: I agree with the Navy suggestion. Don't take Modify or Research above 1, Repair isn't terribly useful, Maintain and Hack are pretty godly. Standard weapons are the best weapons, but a point in Heavy lets you use the grenade launcher.
I've had many a game ruined by being in an unwinnable situation like that and having to go back to a saved game from two hours ago.
Ok good to note, cheers.
Youtube Channel!
Watching the basic training also provides ample evidence that ladders and jumping sections may prove to be an effective means of entertainment for those of us watching this LP and a severe detriment to Helloween's blood pressure.
I can hardly wait.
Had to be done.
I warn you, the navy you will join will be nothing like this one.
I am quite releaved/dissapointed.
I am spitting up blood already.
Youtube Channel!
Marines isn't balanced very well and makes it for more of a survival horror "oh shit i can't do anything and am out of ammo"
OSA you can really fuck yourself over if you don't do stat allocation right, but in the event you do, congrats! You've made the game far too easy.
(side-note: if anyone ever wants to play the 4-man coop, let me know.)
I forgot about that. With limited resources all round it really forces specialisation if you're going to be playing. I wouldn't suggest going with the whole four though. 2-3 max.
And yeah, Navy's probably easiest for a first-timer, although unless you're playing on Impossible you can branch out and take the cool stuff from the other classes.
That'll be a fun video.
I think he will literally break his wrist from snapping his camera around so much.
Hohoho.
Unless you're starting off in OSA, It's a really hefty investment to even try and get anything from the Psionics branch. I'm not sure I'd recommend it. Weapons, well, you're already devoting part of your training to that when going Navy. Exotics aren't really useful, and as other have said the most useful weapon in the heavy weapon branch is the grenade launcher, but you can get that with 1 point. It won't be doing too much damage, but it'll be enough to conserve the occasional ammo.
Youtube Channel!
You should be.
I'm guessing a solid A#.