This is where the game gets extremely annoying, because in order to “beat” the command level, you have to return to previous levels (such as operations and engineering) to accomplish various tasks. Hey, I just work here, I don’t make policy. This involves getting to the bridge and helping to regain full control of the ship from Xerxes so that SHODAN can blow it the heck up. With the last escape pod gone (why would I want to go to Tau Ceti V anyway?), I resign myself to doing SHODAN’s bidding once more. One thing that System Shock 2 has taught me is that even in the future, even in deep space, even on a high-tech vessel, there will still be people sucking on cancer sticks. I turn around and fiddle with the trash on the ground, finding yet another pack of cigarettes.

It seems like a bit of a jerk move on their part, since they’ve obviously seen me at least once. Since my character is incapable of shouting, “Hey, wait up guys!” the escape pod takes off and I’m left behind. It’s not terribly noticeable since most everyone’s dead, but once you do spot it, it becomes hard to ignore that you’re on a ship of clones. One of System Shock 2’s limitations is the fact that all of the men share the same look and the women share the same look (with one exception in the latter case). Naturally, I’m behind a force field and can’t help or join them, so it’s just like the last dozen or so times that I’ve encountered NPCs. That’s not a comforting thought.Īs I make my way through operations, I spot the last two humans on the Von Braun fleeing from one of the big muscley dudes. Me and SHODAN are the thin cyber line between the homeworld and this threat. While I take a ride to the first stop, the Many tell me (how?) that they’re looking forward to getting to Earth and wiping it clean of us free-thinkers. Happily, the inventive level design hasn’t ceased - the command deck has a tram system! Ooh, I love trams and trains and all assorted public transportation goodness. It’s very nerve-wracking, so I usually find a hidey-hole and hope that I can live to see another day. If you don’t get these cameras quick enough, the game goes into a two-minute security alert while mobs bum rush you and the klaxon goes off.

Right off the elevator, I trigger a security camera that sends out an alarm. Wait a second, the Von Braun is the only ship with a FTL drive. SHODAN pops on the comm to tell me that we might as well give up on this ship, as it’s a lost cause, but before we blow it up we have to transfer everything over to the Rickenbacker. We’ve finally made it to the penultimate deck of the Von Braun, command. You can follow the entire series on the Nostalgia Lane page.) (This is part of my journey playing through System Shock 2.

System shock 2 command control