System Shock 2 - playing for first time but need some tips?

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So I'm really trying to get in to this game and am quite enjoying it but man it's so tough! I haven't really spent my upgrade currency yet so I'm currently trying to fight everything with my wrench and occasionally using the little ammo I find. This is fine if there are only a couple of enemies with metal bars at a time, but throw in some shotgun wielders, exploding robots and laser turrets and it turns in to a 5 - 10 reloaded attempts to get past certain sections. I've put in 8 hours and only completed 5 objectives. Whilst I like a challenge, I do get frustrated repeating the same part over again and again.

So is there certain skills, powers I should be upgrading to get an advantage?
 
Navy skill tree with hacking is the easiest route IMO. Level 4 let's you hack turrets which you can then run to and they will chew up the enemies.

Maitenance at some stage let's you repair your own weapons as well.

Psionic is the hardest.
 
You're lucky being able to experience SS2 for the first time. Really takes me back to when games required thought.
I can't remember specific skill upgrades but can offer a bit of 'old-timers' advice. SS2 will take a much more cautious approach than modern games. Taking your time going arond corners, opening doors and being wary of cameras is key. Also ammo choice is critical. From memory the amount you get depends on the difficulty level you choose, so don't go shooting AP at the zombie dudes and regular ammo at turrets.

Also, try to cancel any security alerts as quickly as possible as they will bring reinforcements. Good luck!
 
Darkstar said:
You're lucky being able to experience SS2 for the first time.!
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Yes extremely jealous. It was one of the first PC games that I truly fell in love with. Hopefully one day I will forget it enough to be able to experience it again.

Prepare to cack your pants.
 
Thanks for the replies. I think I'm going to start again as I have loads of the upgrade nano things but didn't go back to the upgrade stations to use them as I thought I'd get more of a feel for the game first. However I think I've gone too far as it's just stupidly hard at the moment and it's taking multiple attempts to get round every other corner. I really want to get in to this game but I'm getting more frustration than pleasure at the moment. Yeah, I think I'll park it for a couple of week and start a fresh...

This is another old game that supports 3440x1440 natively by the way...
 
Mate of mine is a huge Bioshock fan but cannot understand why I find it a little dissapointing. I keep telling go and play System Shock 2 and then you will realise why :p enjoy it, it's a real classic!
 
arc@css said:
You may wish to consider applying a mod which removes respawning enemies. I'm glad I did.
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Ah yes I like that suggestion - will check that out. I'm sure in 1999 we were all still used to games being insanely difficult but I have to admit I'm really struggling with it. I think the difficulty level could be knocked down a couple of notches without taking anything away from the game...
 
Personally I'd say leave the respawning enemies in. It's not a ridiculous respawn rate and helps make nowhere feel safe.

Aside from that I'll echo the above.

In the other thread I provided a compilation of mods that provide graphics updates and fixes (but the links may be dead now).
 
I wouldn't ignore psionics completely though, it's been a while but i remember there being a few useful skills not too deep into the skill tree. And the amp can be a useful fallback weapon when you inevitably run out of ammo.

Also - don't go total energy weapons. It leaves you in a bit of a bind later on in the game.
 
This is one of my all time favorites - you might need to do search for mods for it - which will really help update the game graphics.......and hacking really helps :D
 
Took me a number of tries to get into SS2, but I'm glad i persisted as it was one of my best gaming experiences. Can't give any tips or advice as I remember nothing about it. A good excuse to play it again with the mods

ColdAsIce said:
Mate of mine is a huge Bioshock fan but cannot understand why I find it a little dissapointing.
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Currently trying to make my way through this but it hasn't grabbed me at all either. Will keep going as I don't want to restart again in the future.
 
It is a fantastic game and i believe the first one to make collecting audio logs a thing. The telekinesis power is useful for collecting ammo and goodies in the game, but i would echo a focus on hacking. Being able to have turrets on your side really helps in the mid game.
 
The audio logs in the game are incredible. Some of them are really haunting and creepy. They also got in there before the whole audio log exposition thing was totally played out and overdone.

They said it would make a better me... of me...
 
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ironsonic said:
isnt there a fanmade hd remaster of this?
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If you mean a complete makeover mod, then there is one called 'Infinite', but that makes changes to the original story telling experience, so perhaps not quite what you're after. Great mod, though. :)

I haven't played any other complete makeovers for this game, but I expect there are one or two kicking around. Try checking sites like these:

http://www.moddb.com/games/system-shock-2/downloads

https://www.systemshock.org/index.php?board=2.0
 
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ColdAsIce said:
Mate of mine is a huge Bioshock fan but cannot understand why I find it a little dissapointing. I keep telling go and play System Shock 2 and then you will realise why :p enjoy it, it's a real classic!
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I never really got this attitude. You can enjoy both, you don't have to make a choice between the two.
 
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