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System Shock 2 |OT| A Perfect, Immortal Machine
- Thread starter DocSeuss
- Start date
FrenchMovieTheme
Member
thanks brothers!
i only bring this up because i was interested in buying the physical version a couple years back and read up on some problems.
i also have problems with max payne 1 on steam
the_korben
Member
Dear OP, thank you very much for this paragraph. It summarizes everything I've ever loved about PC games, and also what has been lost in the transition to modern AAA games. I was starting to wonder why I once was so interested in games, but your writing makes it all crystal clear.
PC gaming tends to focus more on virtual reality, while console gaming tends to focus more on abstracting things as simply as possible. There's a heavy dose of simulation elements present in a lot of older PC gaming--even the abstraction is ultimately about abstracting simulation mechanics.
They're both fundamentally viable forms of play, but I personally prefer simulation elements in my games.
If I'm playing a classic console game that's "hard," it's usually a matter of skill that is developed through practice and understanding of a game's mechanics. If I play a classic PC game that's "hard," it's often because I need to think differently. "How would I solve this if it was a real situation?" is the question that has saved my ass quite a bit.
Krappadizzle
Member
I don't even remember the last time I played this. Or if I played it at all. I really need to jump on the bandwagon.
Secret Fawful
Member
Does the co-op work in this version? I see it listed on GOG.
The first major song, MedSci, is both rad as fuck and fits into the game perfectly. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree!
XANDER CAGE
Member
Really enjoying playing through this again after all these years, but man I'm having a hard time with some of the graphics. I can deal with the hilarious cube people but... I dunno, any animation that involves the player character's hand just makes me cringe, which is too bad considering how much you have to rely on the wrench early on.
One day we'll get a glorious SS3, or something, that brings the incredible atmosphere up to date. I can dream.
One day we'll get a glorious SS3, or something, that brings the incredible atmosphere up to date. I can dream.
Alexios
Cores, shaders and BIOS oh my!
You can also do things like enable bloom and change HUD opacity by editing that cam ext file.
Bloom needs to be tweaked from the defaults which are meant for Thief and may be too bright.
But I really like having the HUD semi transparent. It doesn't make it any harder to use for sure.
Here's a pic showing a little bit of both features (with all the basic and faithful to the vanilla mods).
Bloom needs to be tweaked from the defaults which are meant for Thief and may be too bright.
But I really like having the HUD semi transparent. It doesn't make it any harder to use for sure.
Here's a pic showing a little bit of both features (with all the basic and faithful to the vanilla mods).
I haven't played the first SS, how important is it to play that first? Is there anywhere I could read or watch a video of major plot points from the first game?
I don't really like the idea of playing a sequel without playing the first one, but I've heard how amazing this is and I can't pass it up for $10.
I don't really like the idea of playing a sequel without playing the first one, but I've heard how amazing this is and I can't pass it up for $10.
Hydro 1 is probably my favorite track.
You don't need to play the first game to understand the plot of the second, but you will miss out on a few references.
I'm about to start it and invest my friday night into this wonderful game for the first time. I have only one question: Which difficulty should I choose? I have heard little talk of which one is suitable to jump into so I'm not sure which would be good for a first time experience.
Krappadizzle
Member
great question. I'm wondering the same.
ZombieSupaStar
Member
ADaoB yay or nay for a first time player?
Isn't that what the revival stations are for?
I'm with you on the fixed save point thing* but I feel like you'd need source code access for such a big change.
*even though I still like my instant restart Trackmania games!
RiccochetJ
Gold Member
What are your settings in that config file right now? That looks nice!
Alexios
Cores, shaders and BIOS oh my!
For mods I only have the high res object and world textures, dynamic sky and high res space not visible there, a blood splatter and goo mod also not visible (I've tried the tacticool weapons but since not all weapons are redone I reverted, I decided against the Rebirth enemy models and so also skipped the improved egg or whatever from the guy who did the goo and other things), and in cam_ext I set the HUD to 1024x576 (with 720p resolution for the actual game, scale accordingly to your needs instead) enabled all the post processing/bloom stuff and left at defaults for now and set HUD opacity to 0.5. Bloom can be too intense on certain surfaces but not that many (like two so far, one at the intro map and the xerxes face) and I like how it looks most of the time, glowing lights on the door handles in the dark, etc, while reducing it to the point those few intense surfaces are fixed makes it too subtle, might as well disable it. But maybe it's more of a problem in other areas. Just search for bloom and hud in the file and you'll see the relevant lines with explanations on what each does and how you can control it.
ChoklitReign
Member
Played it for an hour with the music off and default monster/weapon values - so good. I'm a master at spanking the monkey, but hybrids are faster than I remember (nothing a little practice and quicksaving can't fix). I've balanced my skills between hacking and combat - 2 Standard Weapons, 3 Endurance, 2 Hacking, and 2 Cyber Affinity. What do I choose next - repair or maintain?
bideogamer
Neo Member
Love the atmosphere, story, music, hate the combat. Its a real bummer I didnt play this back in the day, I would have loved it instead of appreciating it.
Alexios
Cores, shaders and BIOS oh my!
Rebind your keys, there's strafe, just on weird keys by default.
It can be made to control like any modern FPS with leaning and the cursor inventory stuff on top.
Haha I know, just been getting increasingly lazy. Can't afford to be lazy in this sort of game though!
No Mac version on GOG?
Away from my PC for a of couple months, I'll have to wait to play it.
For Mac users, apparently you can use a Wineskin wrapper to get the game up and running on OS X: http://portingteam.com/files/file/7570-system-shock-2/
forknknife
Banned
Hmmmm... tempting, but I really don't have time to play nowadays so I better wait for the Steam version.
I could kiss you right now. With tongue even. I'll try this and if I get it running I'll PM you to schedule it.
Started playing this today for the first time. I am maybe 4? hours in and it is already one of my favorite games of all time. Completely holds up today. I decided to be a little reckless and went for OSA on my first playthrough and don't regret it at all. Once I figured out how the systems worked I am completely loving PSI. I am playing with the music on and plan on keeping it on because I find the music just makes things more tense. When the music kicks in I get more scared because I associate the music with bad shit happening. The music itself beyond just the associations I think fits the mood perfectly.
Considering how difficult it was just just to re-release the original game and how much it would cost to retool for consoles, I'm pretty confident in saying that this will never, ever happen.
Stallion Free
Cock Encumbered
Haha maybe in like 10 more years.
scorpscarx
Member
Ok so all of a sudden EVERYTHING just came together for me, this game is awesome, it's not even hard to learn all of the shit it throws at you. It just happens, real talk.
Finally playing a good game, can't tell you how long it's been.
Finally playing a good game, can't tell you how long it's been.
IT WORKS! You'll need to fiddle a bit with the WINE configurations to get it running with GOG's version though.
If anyone else is interested here are the instructions:
Before installing the game you'll need to:
Right click wrapper > Show Package Contents > Wineskin > Advanced > Tools > Config Utility > Applications, and set the Windows Version to "Windows XP".
You can now install the game:
To instal Game with Wineskin Installer (right click wrapper -> show package contents -> Wineskin.app -> Install Software) - select GOG's setup.exe file
Than you again for the tip!
doctorcdcs
Member
With all this talk about System Shock 2, I'm finally going to start playing it....
...system shock 1 that is. I downloaded SSP and just put in about 10 minutes or so, but I'm liking it a lot. I was going to install it with my original CD, but I figure that since I already own a copy, I can use this, and it already has been tweaked to run pretty well as is. I just need to do some more adjustments with the setup, and hopefully it'll run fine.
After I (hopefully) complete it, I'll take my second run at SS2. I played it quite a bit (I think I got near the end), but I ended up stopping for some silly reason and I never went back to it.
...system shock 1 that is. I downloaded SSP and just put in about 10 minutes or so, but I'm liking it a lot. I was going to install it with my original CD, but I figure that since I already own a copy, I can use this, and it already has been tweaked to run pretty well as is. I just need to do some more adjustments with the setup, and hopefully it'll run fine.
After I (hopefully) complete it, I'll take my second run at SS2. I played it quite a bit (I think I got near the end), but I ended up stopping for some silly reason and I never went back to it.
Fried Food
Banned
Yeah I had to turn the music off. I can't take any more of that.
cartman414
Member
How about Deus Ex under "successors"? (Though it stands as a peer by contrast to the others.)
The more streamlinedness of console gaming works for games/game genres created for/on consoles in the first place. Stuff transitioned over from the PC to console space tends to suffer for the most part (controls, mechanics, etc.).
It's one reason why I was so fond of the mid/late 80s through the turn of the millennium. Both spaces evolved on their own terms and provided more diversity for the gamer.
I don't think the problem these days though is multiplatform in itself as it is increasing budgets forcing across the board same-y ports, with consoles higher on the priority chain.
The more streamlinedness of console gaming works for games/game genres created for/on consoles in the first place. Stuff transitioned over from the PC to console space tends to suffer for the most part (controls, mechanics, etc.).
It's one reason why I was so fond of the mid/late 80s through the turn of the millennium. Both spaces evolved on their own terms and provided more diversity for the gamer.
I don't think the problem these days though is multiplatform in itself as it is increasing budgets forcing across the board same-y ports, with consoles higher on the priority chain.
As I said in the GOG topic, while quite a bit of the soundtrack does consist of those thumping techno beats, it would be wrong to say that the music doesn't fit the game at all. MediSci 2, Ops 1, Hydro 2, Ops 3, Command 1, Command 3, and Recreation all definitely add to the horror atmosphere of the floors they play on, and I seriously couldn't imagine playing the game without them. They're just that good.
Just recently tried out co-op with the bf and got to the Operations Deck with him. Quite a bit of fun with another person and it frees you to focus on certain skills more freely - he handles psychic stuff while I take care of hacking - but it definitely takes away from the horror feel of the game. Everyone's first play through of this should be solo.
Just recently tried out co-op with the bf and got to the Operations Deck with him. Quite a bit of fun with another person and it frees you to focus on certain skills more freely - he handles psychic stuff while I take care of hacking - but it definitely takes away from the horror feel of the game. Everyone's first play through of this should be solo.
She was on the cover of the box if I remember correctly.
Dude she is in the opening cutscene...
Not to mention the first game. What's the issue here.
phantomspiker
Member
That, and she is plastered all over GOG's front page right now.
She's on the box art and the very very first thing in the game is a monologue from her, it's not a spoiler.
It's not a spoiler, it's just pointless to detail the character in anyway. The game does a decent job at explaining itself, there doesn't need to be a section on a character like they're a selling point.
and box art doesn't mean jack shit