Putting the shock back in your system

If you were a fan of first-person shooters back in the 90s, chances are the System Shock games might sound familiar. When it comes to hybrid games, System Shock 2 is quite possibly the best FPS/RPG game hybrid created to date. In my opinion, it's a game that stands the test of time magnificently, alongside other FPS classics like Quake 2 and, of course, Wolf 3D. OK, so maybe the latter didn't stand the test of time as well as Quake did, but hey; Activision did consider it big enough to churn out a re-make.

But coming back to System Shock 2, just because the game does well enough as-is, doesn't mean its reeeeeeally hardcore fans aren't trying to do everything within their power to put some additional "oomph" into the game by giving it a bit of a "next-gen" makeover.

The Random Gnomes' Random Lair -- an awesome name for a blog, I might add -- recently compiled a list of various resources bored SS 2 fans could tap into in order to enhance their system-shocking experience.

Here's the list:

1. Official Patch
2. Windows 2000/XP fix
3. SS2 DeepFriedBeer mod (for sound upgrades)
4. Straylight mod (for numerous bug fixes)
5. Shock Texture Upgrade Project (hi-res textures)
6. System Shock Rebirth (more detailed polygons)

A nice, well-rounded set of updates and you'll be on your way to "next-gen" ecstasy (see before/after pic here) with a game that is "more engrossing than the whole porn DVD collection of planet Earth." (I would have to agree) Not sure if System Shock 2's cult, purist fanbase will appreciate applying these numerous updates, mods and patches to their beloved object of affection, but hey; this is what PC gaming is all about.