System Shock 2 | Inconceivable Isolation
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- čas přidán 19. 05. 2019
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System Shock 2 puts a ton of its creative energy into making the player feel like it doesn't care about them. You truly feel alone in this game more than any other.
You can watch my fan edit of the ending here: • System Shock 2 Ending ...
The music in this video is from the Earthbound (Mother 2) Soundtrack by Hirokazu Tanaka - Hry
Ken Levine said in an interview that the ending cutscene was actually supposed to be longer. It was cut short due to time constraints. There was also a reason for her taking over Rebecca, too. This was setting up for the events of System Shock 3, before Looking Glass went out of business.
Thats kinda sad.
@@madcat789 it makes the ending a little more hilarious. An AI offering untold power and influence and you just brush her off like she asked you if you wanted to go out for fast food…and then she explodes
This game had me right-clicking on dead bodies in half-life for days after finishing it
I remember when I first time played SS2.
I was teenager, I was completly alone at home. I finished whole game in course of about 3 days. Playing like 18 hours a day.
I didnt contacted anyone. I went out twice, just to get a bread and milk, so I wont starve.
That was immersive...
I did it alone also smoking joints and ordered pizza for 4 nights straight. The colors were so pretty when playing baked 😋
Just finished my first playthrough a few weeks ago. I got almost no work done while I was playing it for like 10 hours a day.
First time I got the game I would stay up til like 2am, and when I would finally decide to go to bed my head felt woozy and I could still hear the creepy ambience even. Great game.
I felt this
0:52
YOU ARE WASTING THOSE PRECIOUS ARMOR PIERCING BULLETS!!!!
I also cried at the moment
“An incredible job of letting you know it doesn’t care about you.”
Man, that’s just objectively true.
isnt that like.. the pure definition of immersive SIM? Give tools and possibilities not guidence
System Shock and Dead Space games were always really good at portraying that aspect of Lovecraftian horror
The ending is iconic. I wouldn't change a thing
"nah"
Goggles doesn't say a word throughout the whole game, but right when his A.I. Cyber Module sugar mommy rebels he hits her with the "nah" and blasts her. Absolute chad
@@mark-gj4mb me just imagining the ugly crying meme face wearing the smug mask and it's drawn to look like Shodan, her whole speech written out. On the right we have Chad with Goggles design saying simply "Nah" and holding a pistol 😂👌
Like I mean how else would you talk down a Wannabe god
It says a lot about how far the game immerses you that the engines shutting off might be the most effective anti-jumpscare ever, it really gives you an uncanny dread, especially since you're scuttling around in maintenance shafts when it happens.
I forgot just how far this game goes with its flavour text, good video.
Only one game made me feel even more alone, oppressed and claustrophobic : System Shock 1.
I actually liked the ending. SHODAN has led you around like a dog, making you do her bidding. She lied to you from the very moment you two met, and she has every intention of leaving you for dead, which she already proved with Delacroix. In my opinion, that 'Nah', aside from the absurdity of bathos to contrast a game where you have been prey, is a pretty realistic response when you have someone like SHODAN on the ropes.
The tables turned. Goggles has the power in that moment, and by God does he use it.
It's funny how this video is obviously the one that's only seen by people who's binge watching you, judging by numbers
I know right. Find a good new channel, and it's compelling watching it all.
Me
Same here
Does not apply to me however I instantly subscribed because of it. And most likely a binge watcher from now on :)
i really thought i had seen every good video on this game, so glad i was wrong
I'll second that
I’m so thankful I played System Shock before Shock 2. The Shodan reveal is just awesome, because everyone knew it was coming, but the angle they took and the way the audio logs play into it is pitch perfect.
The only thing that did not feel immersive or real were the infinitely respawning enemies.
That turned me off.
@KC Bro, chill out, we get it, you... really, really don't like RPG elements, I guess. Relax.
@KC Wow, that's legitimately the strongest case of projection I've seen in a YT comment all this year. I'm dead serious, you could not have made a more fragile, cliche, insufferable response than what you just did, except for adding the word "sweetie" in there somewhere. I cannot imagine the self-delusion, the complete and utter lack of self-awareness someone must have to reply the way you just did without realising that it makes you come off as though you have a few screws loose. What people see with a response like that isn't a witty reply, it's, "I'M NOT MAD, YOU'RE MAD!!!!" and it really doesn't help your image in this discussion.
It makes *you* look juvenile.
It's also remarkable that you mention dishonesty, because... you're actively lying right now. RPG elements *are* part of the discussion about realism because your entire point is that the RPG elements of the game aren't realistic and are, therefore, "indefensible," as you so specifically stated in a very transparently angry tone. You don't like that guns do more damage when you level them up. You don't like that you get better at hacking by leveling up. You say, word-for word, "Immersion is ruined by the DUMB AS DIRT stat system." Congratulations, the discussion about leveling revolves around RPG elements. Now you are very intentionally trying to backtrack and move the goalposts. This makes you transparently dishonest.
No doubt, you'll respond back with some reply that you think is really witty, but that is either even more emotionally charged than your last two comments were, or will exceptionally passive-aggressive. In either case, you'll try to tell me about how wrong I am, that your point had NOTHING AT ALL to do with RPG elements, because you also mentioned instant-healing health packs in a one-off statement that was the single outlier amongst a comment that otherwise continuously references stats and the act of leveling up and distributing points, but actually that outlier is the REAL representation of your point and that I'm a big dumb loser retard idiot stupidhead for not realising that. Yeah, I've been on YT before, I've been through this enough times to know the pattern. So don't waste your time or mine going forward, please.
I reiterate: Calm down, chill out, we know you don't like RPG elements, but that's really not a reason to start getting so heated in YT comments as you try to tell people that it's impossible to defend System Shock 2 and Deus Ex, objectively two of the best PC games of all time... that you don't happen to like. I would instead offer the suggestion that you reflect a little bit on yourself and maybe just be honest enough to accept that it's not that big a deal if you don't like DE and SS2 for their RPG mechanics, that just means they aren't games that appeal to what you want in games.
@KC Congratulations, you did *precisely* what I said you would do. This is because you are not an individual person with their own personality, you are, as you have just demonstrated, a bona fide breathing cliche. Honest to God, I feel sorry for you. I'd hate to have so little identity of my own. :/
Oh, my favourite bit is "you can address that or..." because I not only have already addressed that, I completely demolished you lmao. So either you're (a) too inattentive to read (b) too emotionally fragile to read (c) too stupid to read or (d) legitimately in such denial that you read what I said but PRETENDED that I didn't make you look like the dishonest hack you are. In any case, you've proven yourself to be staggeringly inept at expressing your own thoughts of viewpoints in even an honest fashion, let alone a convincing one. May you one day mature into a respectable individual, but I don't hold out much hope.
@KC I'll have you know now that I did not read whatever repetitive tantrum-like reply you doubtless wrote. You had your chances to act like a big boy and have a discussion and you blew them. You don't get the benefit of people taking you seriously until you learn to act your age.
i‘ve been an avid collector and passionate lover of videogames for about 30 years now. Roughly estimated i completeted something between 500 to 600 games throughout my life, but ever since i first played system shock 2 back in 99/00 it has been my favorite game, with only a handful of other games barely even coming close to it‘s perfection in nearly every aspect of the game. Imo, System Shock 2 is the greatest game ever made.
I can hear Stephen Russell in the Many's voice and it makes me so happy
I kept replaying a short section toward the beginning of this video because I couldn’t entirely tell if I heard Stephen Russell or not. Thanks for confirming!
@@d.e.564 oh yeah. That's definitely his work. They used him quite a bit
dude, you might want to warn people about spoilers for Prey in this video too :)
The Many were the good guys :'(. In death they wished you well. They just wanted to give everyone a big fleshy hug.
Agreed, except for that the ending "naah" was brilliant! I loved it over 20 years ago and still do. It's the only word you utter, and it's in a nonchalant, laid back and defiant tone.
I think the cheesy ending was a good thing. It served to bring the tension of the whole game down and remind you that it was all just fun and games. You bested Shodown and you get to make fun of her straight at her face.
I never thought Shodan is the "lesser of two evils". From the reveal itself, I knew I will have to destroy both, but Many have to go first purely because Shodan was willing to help with that. And then, the rest of the game convinced me that in fact, Shodan is the bigger evil, and the Many might not be any kind of evil at all. They were just dangerous to what humanity (or any other species) is. I mean... if everyone you conquer objectively loves being conquered and it gives them happiness and bliss beyond any other achievable by any other means... are you really evil?
I remember playing system shock 2 way back in middle school, and I didn’t have the heart to kill the Many. I got to just before the part where you enter it, and realizing that there was no way to spare it. I was so disheartened I shut the ga,e off and never finished it. I like to imagine in my playthrough, I joined them and lived happily ever after
The thing is the "happiness" is just an illusion of the many. The happiness is not a genuine feeling that comes from within but is externally imposed upon people through the annelids. Whereas a person without the annelids effect can find happiness that stems from within, doing the things that are good and wholesome, the annelids only offer a happiness that is equivalent to being intoxicated on drugs constantly. The second the influence wears off the victim of the annelid/drugs would realize how hollow the "happiness" they experienced was. Plus, just look at the many zombies. Bouts of anger, ghastly looking faces, murderous tendencies, complete lack of self thought aside from the many's "slogans" so to speak. It's clear they aren't "happy," rather than slaves to the annelids.
@James Dow That’s just you being egotistical and dismissive of the Many. Who are you to say their happiness is less valuable than yours? Without dopamine, your happiness would fade away too no matter what you’re doing. Just look at how people with depression can do things they otherwise enjoy, but with zero satisfaction. And don’t say that happiness only comes from “good and wholesome” things. Way too many people get ecstatic about terrible things. If anything, the Many’s happiness is far more wholesome, as then everyone is always working for the goodwill of others without selfish desires, and always being content in their role.
@@chaptap8376 Dude the hybrids scream "KILL ME!" when they attack you. Diego resists the change and feels immense pain because of it. If the many gave you a choice to "join" them, then cool, but it doesn't. You either are consumed or you are destroyed. Part of true happiness, is always being free to make a choice.
Guy who replied below is correct. The hybrids who are human enough to speak with you beg you to end their existence, or cry out for you to run away. Diego went from being happy to be a part of the many to expressing how horrid and vile their influence is. Also a huge number of crew mates were murdered and digested for nourishment. Remember what happened to poor Prefontaine? Not exactly a utopia when you have no option to refuse to join, or even choose how you participate in that utopia lol
Amazing video. Love how you take your time and let events play out. Love that there’s no bs music covering up your monologue. Love the longer length. Great job man 🙏
the "Nah." was ART. best antagonist defeat ive seen in a video game, even if you dont truly defeat her given the sequel tease. unfortunately there wont be a ss3
On the subject of trusting/not trusting SHODAN; I knew she couldn't really be trusted, but I became so enamored with her character and was just in awe of her presence every time she spoke, I actually wish there was some kind of "Evil Ending" you could choose where you willingly become a cyborg drone for her.
*Yessss Machine Mother, I would never abandon you...*
Also! It would make for good dramatic irony. Saving humanity from a single-minded entity just to doom them to another one because you failed to stop it, because not being seduced by The Many doesn't mean you're impervious to being seduced at any promise to be part of something greater and more powerful than yourself...
...Or maybe I'm just a masochist.
shodan is hot. machine mommy
I wonder if halo 3s flood infested high charity got inspiration from this. Telepathic messages, biomass grown over starship, hive mind of the flood...
“What’s clear is showdan shouldn’t be allowed to play god, she’s far too good at it.” Has always stuck with me
This video definitely deserves more attention among the others in your catalog
I adore the logs and the stories they tell. How wet and real the violence sounds over them, hearing people either become consumed by the Many or die to the other kind of people
Man I love this game so much. Just like Half-Life it was a very important game for me during my formative years. I always come back and rewatch this video like once a month and I just now noticed that you put Earthbound music in the background and that makes me even happier cuz the Mother series is perfect. Thank you for your work.
It should be noted; System Shock 2 and the Prey 2016 share many of the same developers; including writers.
im gonna be honest, i dont really agree that the end was hard. by the end of the game i was stacked with crap and i legit just gunned thru the many pretty easily. they even shower you with the best grenades in the game, it was almost too easy, between the assault rifle being stupidly strong, the grenade launcher being stupidly strong, and a near unlimmited supply of green nades
This video is amazing. Thanks for all the things I totally agreed with
finally, a video about my favorite game
You gotta play SS1, it's also very good
A great touch in regards to SHODAN being disguised as Polito is that once you enter the medical/crew area (if that's the right name) Xerxes asks you "are you allied with her? Do you know her intentions/history? She tried to destroy your species and now you do her bidding" which is great foreshadowing but also a dead giveaway for those that played SS1
I almost can't believe you haven't played the first System Shock! I honestly think it stands head and shoulders above System Shock 2 in the way it tells the story so heavily through the design - the designers really found a way to wring implicit drama and worldbuilding from every single limitation of 1994 that prevented conventional storytelling in a game. Nothing against Ken Levine, he's great - but Warren Spector's vision is far and away my favourite of the two, and the reason why I like Deus Ex so much more than System Shock 2.
The impact of SHODAN in the first game is so much more psychologically creepy, and as you see more and more of what she casually engineered you are continually exposed to her malevolence in a way the second game never approaches. I truly think that if it wasn't for the dated graphics and ESPECIALLY the terrible, terrible controls (which were atrocious even in 1994), it would be widely regarded as one of the most important first-person shooters of all time. The narrative revolution triggered by Half Life may have taken place 4 years earlier had System Shock simply let your rebind the movement keys.
The gaming world is divided between those who have played System Shock II and those who have not. It is a game that needs to be re-mastered, with current gen visuals. I’d buy it again.
Awesome video man! I'm binging all your content now and I love your approach. Also love system shock 2.
Quick question though, why you always say "thief 2"? You haven't played the first one? It's an amazing game and unlike system shock, the differences between the first and second game are almost non existent.
Thanks! The first two Thief games are definitely super similar in terms of mechanics, but there are a lot of subtleties that make one a fun stealth game, and the other an absolutely incredible, all time favorite. Thief 1 had a much stronger focus on the supernatural elements: navigating crypts, avoiding ancient traps, fighting monsters, while Thief 2 more perfectly captured the essence of the game, being a thief. Sure, 2 did have it's supernatural elements, but the experience as a whole is much more about outsmarting people and being clever than thief 1 was
Yeah, in that regard definitely yes. For me it was just kind of odd hearing someone isolate just thief 2 when for me that played both back to back felt like they could be just one game altogether.
Anyways, thanks for the reply, loving your content.
@@joshy-noha it sure sounds like awesome games, if only they were still playable
@@npc6817 They still are. What are you on about?
@@Nace369 bruh don't run on windows 10 and the fan ports are broken
Good video. I don't know why doesn't have more views.
I love everything about this game. EVERYTHING. I don't even wanna change how it looks. I liked having to change my ammo types for different enemies. Or relying on the PSY Amplifier for health and other abilities. The story through the MFD/PDA is great. Finishing the game for the second time after 20yrs left me craving for more. I felt lonely after finishing it.
Look it's been 4 years, but what the hell were you thinking?! Shooting worms with AP rounds.
"... Nah!"
At least you get to see living people in SS2, although it's always through a window or with a door between you.
SS1? Nobody. None. Zip. Just you.
That part when you are minutes away from the last survivors hideout, only to find a Reaver surrounded by fresh corpses was so powerfull it made you hate Shodan a lot more
I'm also new to System Shock in that I didn't play it til about a year ago. If you haven't already and you like this game you just try SS1. It's even better! Great video thank you!
Way back when it released, as a lad, I simply could not handle the psychological pressure of the things that people taken by the Many mutter as they roam. It was too much. Only finished it many years later...
Unreal, Half Life? There where only excellent FPP games, but System Shock 2 was extraordinary experience. This game blow off my not ready mind at age 14 in 1999 release. I was shocked. You switch off computer and still think about it. Making notes at school days,
Another thing that pulled me into SS2 like no other was its sound design. I think it's on par with other games that are masterclass of sound design like Super Metroid, all those audio logs fit perfectly in the universe, and I don't know how they managed to nail directional audio so well in 1999. I still haven't forgotten the audio log where Korenchkin shoots a civilian to death with a shotgun (Even though it's been 5 years since I completed the game), the acting was superb and the sound effects visceral. The enemies are miles better due to their sounds and lines.
Nah, Pathologic 2 is the true king of 'being engaging while feeling like it could care less about you' games. You should play it if you haven't already.
@Crimson have you played the game though
I'd say that would be the original one, but ok.
@Crimson it's not artsy, it's Russian.
Oh shit I can hear Garret from Thief's voice in the Many, that's cool af
There's more story in the description of a pack of cigarettes then in any modern EA title lol
After missing the system shock train (born 2 years late), I had to play the remastered version that came out lately, to see what its all about.
It was just AMAZING. I enjoyed sooo much from the retro type of game, its unique feel and melancholy, story and so much more.
I see that its obviously very different from the original system shock. Will you consider playing it?
Im really interested what you will have to say about it.
system shock 2s soundtrack has been heavily memed
Still the scariest game I’ve ever played.
8:19 You cut off the best part! "... And heres the thing, its made of worms, it even fires worms, but it stings like you wouldn't believe."
💘💘💘 Best of '99, and one of the best of all time. People say SS1 has poor controls, but that's only because it forces the player to learn a superior, more versatile control scheme. There are vids on Ytube showing this. Once learned, players can move in ways that even most "modern" games STILL CANNOT MATCH!
And the game ending is fine. Cool vid. 👍
Couldn't finish this game, my guns kept breaking!
As I remember it, there were some unbreakable weapons: 3 pistols, 1 shotgun, 1 assault rifle.
Most tsundere immersive sim
those goddamn monkeys in the storage decks!
I couldn't get more than a few hours into System Shock 2 because it was too scary tbh
the cheesy ending is brilliant
Ahhh CZcams algorithm thank you
CZcams be playing roulette with recommended videos.
On the side-note. Scored a gem of a channel. ;D
I hate when people dismissed Pray 2 as mindless System Shock rip-off, it was such a refreshing experience, I loved it!
I better not see a single comment about 14:20
sad this wasn't recommended earlier
You should play and review Freelancer. It's a totally different genre, and doesn't come anywhere near SS2, but I think you'll really like it because even tho the plot is fairly linear and simple, there's a lot of hidden depth in the overall gameplay.
When I finished it, I thought I got the bad ending, and had no saves far back enough and would have to start over. But no. Did I play a video game, or read the ending of a goosebumps book? This game just does not care about making you feel good
System Shock 3 will be ruined by microtransaction
Actually SHODAN doesn't technically die at the end of System Shock 2 and I found out the developers of System Shock 3 are following on from the ending of System Shock 2. which means SHODAN is still alive.
@Michael Maxwell wait WHAT? when did this happen?
Spoilers here
personally, i loved the ending cutscene, especially after playing system shock 1. shodan is so full of herself she would expect a philosophical debate, some long-winded "im not gonna join you for reasons a. b. and c." but instead was met with "nah." if youve played both games, youd do the same, you are OVER her bullshit and now shes finally gone (until ss3 releases in 2072)
19:00 yeah, that cutscene... and what boggles my mind is that the only thing that would be needed to make that cutscene... maybe not outright good, but at least not be utter cringe, would be replacing the "Na(h)" with a proper, firm, "No".
Nah.
The casual way he rejects the prospect of Godhood from an all powerful machine in one of the most casual and human ways possible really makes the scene, it's a perfect insult to everything Shodan stands for and the perfect thing for it being the first thing the player has said to her the entire game. The bluntness and cheesy casual delivery is perfectly in line with this message. Just having "No." seems way more cheesy to me, even a little less self aware and corny.
@@cremetem okay, maybe. MAYBE.
but in that case, the "Nah" would have to have a much better voice, and a much better voice actor, to actually pull it off in a way that doesn't sound like a 10-year old's idea of "casual badass". and even then, I'm not sure if it's at all possible, without the context of any other word...
@@MidnightSt I agree. Imagining "Nah" being delivered by a voice like, say, Denton from Deus Ex would make the moment a bit more badass.
@@Kitnighty SIGNIFICANTLY more.
Funny thing is, I honestly don't think SHODAN deserves the title of "god", no matter how much the NPCs or Leadhead try and build her up. Oh she's dangerous in the game's world, but there's a reason she loses: she's got all the brains and none of the brawn. She is hyperintelligent, yet barely mobile. She can devise intricate plans in a very short timespan, but can be foiled by smashing up a couple robots and blinded by shooting a couple cameras. SHODAN in her default state has no intrinsic power of her own, and can only multiply the power she steals from someone else.
In fact, her name says it all: "Sentient Hyper-Optimised Data Access Network". She's a talking _modem_
I know there's an essay here that's really interesting and all but like... I keep spacing out to jam out to the Mother soundtrack in the background. Is that a bad thing?
if you want to give your heart a real workout, i suggest doing a nuzlocke run. AKA no using respawn chambers and beating it in one life, in one sitting.
Thats almost like the ghost runs on Thief.
If Shodan was able to strip you of your cyber mods how come she just doesn't strip them all when it's clear you are trying to end her?
Does anyone hate these exploding androids running towards you? I never got past the engine area and when getting back to the elevator after using the maintenance hatch these androids come and ruin my skill. If I replay it the power of my 1440p CRT will help me and give a bigger reason to continue but I always got stuck by being wasteful with ammo?! Somehow, same with retro consoles, using a CRT or in theory an OLED gives me more reasons and joy to continue a game, same as playing on a console to begin with but that is because I get distracted by the unlimited amount of use cases for a pc like watching livestream.
We would have System Shock 3 if not for capitalism
You gave a spoiler warning for system shock 2. Not Prey...
I had to say it but first
Leadhead just won the yt lottery, hope you still watch;)
System shock 1 is better than 2, change my mind.
what are you talking about? Clearly the superior game design would be to not have an inventory and audiologs play while fighting a circus of bulletspongy enemies and never have them stored. Oh and when you die you are automatically up. Oh and the research thing is boring and doesnt give me a fast enought dopamine hit, what if we took like PHOTOS to get quick bonuses from enemies??? That'll do wonders for immersion! And to make it all better what if we instill this amazing morality system where you are able to save or kill a little girl?? I think we might have a winner, let's just make a misleading trailer that looks like gameplay. Then maybe by the end of the game we can have an escort mission with the main character using a PNG of a fishbowl on his head for a totally new immersive HUD.
i tried to play this game about 15 years ago, it turned to be so badly scripted that i gave up half hour in, i would not call it believable.
PLAY SS1 IT WAS SO MUCH MORE AMAZING PLAYING THEM IN ORDER
Nah.
This game is proof that most games nowadays have been dumbed down. How nice would it be to have a real challenge again.
If you think System Shock 2 nailed oppression then you MUST play SS1. There's less reliance on the RPG aspects and more of a focus on isolated exploration.
EDIT: Wow thanks for the Prey spoiler asshole. Give people some warning first.