Half-Life v. System Shock 2

[Imran Siddiqui]

So, I have a choice. I haven't really played many FPSs, though I have played the demos of these two great games. What attracts me to them is the idea of a story with the action.

So, my question is which of these two would you recommend and why?

[Apocalypse]

Half Life. There is more replayability and if you ever get into multiplayer, HL is better at that.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I'm not a multiplayer guy really...

I like the roleplaying of System Shock 2.

[CapTVK]

I've played both. HL is an action shooter, no more, no less. System Shock2 is far better thanks to it's RPG aspects, has realistic skills and cool weaponry (it will wear down after use). Plus the story is well paced in the way you find logs and msg's from the former crewmembers on the ship. The game is really cool when you have 5.1 speaker setup, the SFX are truly excellent in the way you hear something slowly creeping up from behind.

SS2 also has a multiplayer option, but I've never tried it.


I'd go for SS2 if you want a good single player adventure

[Imran Siddiqui]

Cap, how would you rate the story of both games?

[CapTVK]

Story wise?
I would say SS2 because you have the freedom to roam and solve the mystery by yourself and choose your own path thanks to the RPG bit.

Halflife scores high on presentation and execution but it's actually very linear. You'll be taken for a ride, oh yes. But unless you totally dig multiplayer don't except anything more.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Ah, thanks .

I've never done multiplayer really. I may in the future, but multiplayer really doesn't matter much to me.

[CapTVK]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
Ah, thanks .

I've never done multiplayer really. I may in the future, but multiplayer really doesn't matter much to me.

I dare you to mention that in the Civ2MP forum!

[Jethro83]

In terms of plot, realism, and involving elements I definitely say System Shock II. However, in terms of replayability, Half-Life is definitely the better one. Modding Half-Life is somewhat easier than modding System Shock II

[Pythagoras]

Re: Half-Life v. System Shock 2

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
So, I have a choice. I haven't really played many FPSs, though I have played the demos of these two great games. What attracts me to them is the idea of a story with the action.

So, my question is which of these two would you recommend and why?

Id get both! System Shock 2 is better IMO, but Half Life has significantly more replayability and you can DL many good single player missions. But if you arent into fps Id go with Sys Shock 2 since the 'replayability' of HL is meaningless if you arent really into FPS.

[Skanky Burns]

I'll agree with SS2.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Id get both!

Yes, but I have to get one first .

I've played Deus Ex, btw, and loved it. I understand it follows the System Shock legacy. So I'm not totally unknown to FPSs. I also played Duke Nukem 3d (who hasn't ).

[Guynemer]

Ahhh, so you're already played Deus Ex, then. Well, neither are as good, but SS2 is probably a little closer in the feel of the game. HL has no RPG elements. SS2 is scary as hell--I mean really, really, don't-play-this-at-2AM-with-the-lights-out scary. The prevailing mood of HL is similar to Deus Ex; the mood of SS2 is that you're stuck in an absolute nightmare.

As many have said, given your preference for single-player experience, SS2 is probably the better way to go. But if you have the opportunity to get both, don't hesitate. Half-Life is also very good.

[Kassiopeia]

System Shock II all the way! I've never been too keen on MP (shoddy connections etc. have plagued me). SS2 has a way better storyline, well, there was one plot device that was probably meant to be big but I thought it was predictable...
It could be just me...

Also, with the aforementioned audio logs et. al., the roleplaying element is intriguing... and the atmosphere, the audiovisuals, it's incredible, especially considering that it works on my piece of antiques some still call a "computer"... get it!

The first and only FPS'ish game I have ever played through.

And like Guynemer said, it's just so bloody scary... Resident Evil? No biggie.

I just can't help but to think of all the little almost harmless critters that have terrified me to death and because of that met their fate coming from the barrel of my fusion cannon.

Btw, the fusion cannon was IMO the only disappointment of the game. In most cases the Grenade Launcher with Incendiary Grenades was better.

I started to play it again last night with a Techie-tilted character, we'll see how I'll fare... if I dare play it at all, that is.

[DinoDoc]

What's a good FPS to get if you've never played an FPS on the PC before?