System Shock 2 is a 1999 first-person action role-playing game developed by Irrational Games and Looking Glass Studios, and published by Electronic Arts. Set aboard the starship Von Braun in 2114, players awaken from cryosleep to find the crew slaughtered by a genetic alien infestation and a rogue artificial intelligence known as SHODAN. As a soldier with customizable skills, the player must fight, hack, and use psionic abilities to survive. The game is renowned for its immersive atmosphere, deep RPG mechanics, and pioneering use of audio logs to convey story. It is considered a landmark in the immersive sim genre.

The Vault · 1999
System Shock 2
The thinking person's horror FPS. And it will get under your skin.
DeveloperIrrational Games / Looking Glass Studios
PublisherElectronic Arts
ReleasedAugust 11, 1999
Players1 Player
System ShockWindows 95/98RPGShooterSurvival Horror
First-PersonRPG ProgressionSci-Fi HorrorImmersive SimInventory ManagementOpen-Ended Gameplay
In the News3 mentions
Aug 121999
System Shock 2 Navy Character Details Announced
System Shock 2 Navy Character Details Announced landed today, giving players another thing to circle on the calendar. Electronic Arts is behind the announcement....
ReleaseAug 111999
System Shock 2 Ships
System Shock 2 Ships is the news today, which means another box, download, or retail shelf just got busier. Electronic Arts is behind the announcement. Electronic...
ReleaseAug 101999
System Shock 2 OSA Character Details Announced
System Shock 2 OSA Character Details Announced landed today, giving players another thing to circle on the calendar. Electronic Arts is behind the announcement....
ReleaseHow to Play TodayYour options for running this game in 2026
Original Hardware
Original CD-ROM copies for Windows are available on eBay and at thrift stores. Requires a Pentium 166, 32 MB RAM, and a 3D accelerator (Voodoo2 recommended). The 1.15 patch is essential for modern play.
Modern Re-release
Available on GOG and Steam for $9.99, regularly discounted. The GOG version includes the game pre-patched for modern systems with widescreen, high-resolution text, and the soundtrack.
Emulation / Other Options
The game runs natively on Windows. For the original CD, use SS2Tool to patch for modern Windows. Alternatively, the NewDark engine mod enhances visuals and compatibility.
Game Record
| Platform | Windows 95/98 |
| Released | August 11, 1999 |
| Developer | Irrational Games / Looking Glass Studios |
| Publisher | Electronic Arts |
| Genre | RPG, Shooter, Survival Horror |
| Players | 1 Player |
| Series | System Shock |
Original PC Specs
| OS | Windows 95/98 |
| CPU | Pentium 166 MHz |
| RAM | 32 MB |
| GPU / Display | 3D accelerator with 4 MB VRAM (Voodoo2 recommended) |
| Storage | 300 MB hard drive space |
| Drive | 4× CD-ROM |
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