System Shock 2 Cooperative Speed-run in 24:37

[Liquidize105]

This is really cool - it's a speed-run of System Shock 2 (http://speeddemosarchive.com/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=pcgames;action=display;num=111880152 4) (our 1999 GOTY (http://www.irrationalgames.com/shock2/default.cfm)), in 2-player cooperative mode, in under 25 minutes. The side-by-side version of the 2-part demonstration video provides the vantage point of both player views with synchronized sound and gameplay.

Watch it, the level of cooperation is out of this world. Even If you've never played the game, it has novelty for being the first of its kind.

Let's keep the System Shock 2 speedrunning interest going with a release of our co-op speedrun. I've gone ahead and uploaded the SS2 videos to my university's personal webspace. Don't worry, you should get good connection speeds.

The video is in two parts in both splitscreen (2) and seperate (4) versions, for a total of six videos. The splitscreen versions are very busy, so you may want to grab the seperate videos for more "relaxed" viewing.

Without further delay, the URL (it's a directory listing):

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mminuth/avi/sda_ss2_coop/

Note: XVID codec required.

We're working on comments, too, but unless some people express real interest in reading about our endeavours, we're holding up until we get an SDA acceptance.

However, some important things to note:

My side of the screen goes black in part1 split screen because I finish training before D, so I am technically given a loading screen until he finishes.
While doing the research-reclaim trick on HydroBC, D gets a graphical glitch and you can't see the upgrade text. He mouse-overs each category, though, so you can see what is what.
-dirtyminuth
Good job to speedrunners dirtyminuth and D.

But lordy, is the Thief engine an old fossil or what?

[kizke]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know where I can find a copy of this game? I've been checking games stores every time I'm in for years, and it seems to be the most elusive thing ever created. Everyone I know rants and raves about how it's one of the scariest/most fun/overall best games ever made.

[Liquidize105]

You're fast. I just posted this :eek:

Anyway, check out the movie. It will spoil it for you as much as a speedrun would.

[carneconcarne]

kizke, check out www.the-underdogs.org , you can get it for free there. It's a great place to go for a classic gaming fix.

[bgivnin]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know where I can find a copy of this game? I've been checking games stores every time I'm in for years, and it seems to be the most elusive thing ever created. Everyone I know rants and raves about how it's one of the scariest/most fun/overall best games ever made.

You can find it on Ebay for fairly cheap. There are 8 total listings for the game for sale and 5 of them are in the USA, ranging in price from $4 to $25. :)

[screwtape]

I seem to remember Fileplanet or some other big gaming site released System Shock 2 for free a year or so ago. I can't find a link now, but I'm positive it wasn't a warez site or something like that. My buddy and I played most of the way through on co-op. Good times.

And carneconcarne: I'm pretty sure linking to abandonware sites is not allowed on EA.

[Skjef]

The link in the quoted text doesn't work, it should be:
http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mminuth/avi/sda_ss2_coop/
not: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mminu.../sda_ss2_coop/
Otherwise, nice post. I love this game.

[carneconcarne]

oh, what's wrong with abandonware?

[51|RandoM]

The environments in fear kept reminding me of ss2 for some reason.

[screwtape]

oh, what's wrong with abandonware?
Abandonware is usually lumped into the same category as warez. Maybe a site editor can clarify if an official policy exists.

I think System Shock 2 was the first game to make me actually scream out loud.

I'll tear out your spine.

[Voodoo]

System Shock 2 rocks! It'll be interesting to see what they have done with Bioshock.

I remember playing through coop with my two nephews (8 and 10 at the time). It was one of the best gaming experiences ever. It is a sad state of affairs when gameplay is 2nd to graphics. Then again, the market chooses who is to win and who isn't...

[DeadPixel]

I recently played this in coop with my buddy while traveling. This game runs fine on my crappy 5 year old IBM ThinkPad and was a blast to play through even thought the graphics are dated.

The best thing about coop is you can specialize in say hacking, while your buddy does weapons. In single player I was torn on where to spend points, but here I complimented the team very well.

[Mondopest]

Dont forget to download the "Rebirth" mod for th egame. It really gives it new life, graphically speaking.

[The Iron Weasel]

I had a friend that said that SS2 graphics were on par with Jedi Knight 2's......I almost hit him.....I just couldn't get into the game. I'm installing again now, maybe i'll have better luck this time.

[Tia]

oh, what's wrong with abandonware?

Abendonware is not legal. But the-underdogs are pretty ok about it and will remove downloads of games when asked. If no one asks... well then... still most forums don't appriciate posting links to abandonware sites.

[Busted_Astromech]

System Shock 2 is an amazing game. Scariest game ever, bar none. You can see its influence in Doom 3 with the logs left all over and the general atmosphere. Of course, where Doom 3 ruined any scare factor by inevitably having a monster in every single room, System Shock 2 kept you constantly on your toes.

Still the best survival-horror game, and one of the best games ever, period.

[Voodoo]

I liked how the zombies & monsters wondered all througout the floors, instead of jumping out of closests...

Those Doom 3 creatures must have some serious social issues for having to always wait and hide in a closet, not to mention the need to have to use the restroom or have a casual stroll through a hallway or two looking for some good eatin'.

Best lines of System Shock 2...

Random zombie guys with 2x4s, pistols & shotguns
"Gaahhhh! Kill me!!!"
"Run away..."
"I foooolllooowww..."

[kizke]

Thanks for all the help guys! :) I can't wait to play it.

[The Iron Weasel]

I liked how the zombies & monsters wondered all througout the floors, instead of jumping out of closests...

Those Doom 3 creatures must have some serious social issues for having to always wait and hide in a closet, not to mention the need to have to use the restroom or have a casual stroll through a hallway or two looking for some good eatin'.

But they came outta the closet....THEY'RE FREE!

Well until you fuck them up....shotgun style....

[DeadPixel]

Best lines of System Shock 2...

Random zombie guys with 2x4s, pistols & shotguns
"Gaahhhh! Kill me!!!"
"Run away..."
"I foooolllooowww..."

I personally love the "I'm soooooorrrrrryyyyyyy" quote from the zombie crew.

[Dirty Harry]

yeah i recently bought this game and got it working for xp, so im roughly on the hydroponics deck after i find out dr politio is actually the alien mind or something ooooh but im cheating, i dont care, hacking is part of the normal game so i figure i might aswell hack me up some items, but i only summon more ammo and nanites and the such.

[Subbacultcha]

Note: if anyone is going to start playing System Shock 2, don't play as a PsiOps. Your Psionic wand-thingy will be out of batteries 90 percent of the time.

[Skjef]

Note: if anyone is going to start playing System Shock 2, don't play as a PsiOps. Your Psionic wand-thingy will be out of batteries 90 percent of the time.
Agreed. Start as a marine, and if you feel like replaying the game, try one of the other disciplines.

[spacerat100]

navy is fun cuz you can always open eveything plus you can still get some good weapon skills. Really once you start playing you find more than enough upgrade modules to be whatever you want. I always turn off degrading equipment though. I can't stand that.

[Namielus]

Psi ops is for the tactical fps player out there, and after replaying SS2 every 2 months since it's release, I still find new ways to play and enjoy the game.

[kid cabelgo]

System Shock 2 is an amazing game. Scariest game ever, bar none. You can see its influence in Doom 3 with the logs left all over and the general atmosphere. Of course, where Doom 3 ruined any scare factor by inevitably having a monster in every single room, System Shock 2 kept you constantly on your toes.

Still the best survival-horror game, and one of the best games ever, period.


Absolutely. Although I did feel that F.E.A.R. was the first game to almost give it a run for it's money. I felt that FEAR borrowed from SS2, but did it right .

[jpublic]

FEAR is the first FPS since SS2 to get a decent *scary* atmosphere going without resorting to cheap shock tactics.

[Stormwatcher]

Navy is the best first-run-profession, you can shoot guns and hack the machines, lockers, alarms... It rocks. Psi should be played by veterans only.

SS2 is the best gaming experience ever made. Even with sub-par graphics (even for its time) that however do their job really well, it is the single most immersive FP experience I ever enjoyed. The ghosts were really saddening and scary, the zombies were both very scary and a challenge even later on, the Cyber-nannies were terrifying... And nothing beats that feeling of loneliness and despair that you get from being alone in a huge spaceship filled with enemies... and everytime you try to meet or save someone, a bad surprise happens. I really felt like crying when our dear you-know-who was found dead. And was shocked to discover that the best PC game villain ever had returned.

The fact that you were nothing but a pawn in the war between two horrendous factions and that you could do nothing to change that was also great.

This game was scary 6 years ago, and ir remains immersive and scary today.

Doom 3 was a very sad failed attempt to use some of its elements. I dream that some resourcefull people will make a TC of SS2 with Doom 3's engine. THAT would be really excellent.

[Acleacius]

Dont forget the texture upgrade patch
http://home.att.net/~shtup/index.html
and and the skin upgrade patch
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/etienne.aubert/sshock/sshock_rebirth.htm

They make a big differrence in the aged graphics.
Plus if your inclined you can turn off gun degrading (was the biggest mistake/regret according to Ken Levine) or slow down respawing enemies (especially good for newbies)
Just open notepad or the like and make a file called User.cfg and add these 3 lines then save and put it in your main Shock2 directory.
--------------------------------------
gun_degrade_rate 0
no_spawn
safe_texture_manager
--------------------------------------
The safe_texture_manager is a necessity for many to get the game running properly in Win XP.

If your new also try it on easy mode first, no difference in the game, just makes upgrades cheaper, enables a more rounded game experience as you afford more skills from all classes.
If you experience trouble getting it to run this is a great site for help and guides for trouble shooting.
http://www.ttlg.com/forums

Another reason to hate EA as they refuse to make a sequel or sell their rights.
Ken Levine had even written a sequel for System Shock 3, orginal writer and lead designer for System Shock 2.
He also wrote the orginal story for Thief The Dark Project, he is a very talented writer/designer/cofounder of Irrational Games.