Survival horror elements such as inventory management and ammo conservation also appear as well, enhancing the game's tense atmosphere. Combat is akin to first-person shooters in that the player can use different weapons and shoot enemies, while RPG-style character customization is necessary to become more powerful. Navigation is presented from a first person perspective complimented with a heads-up display that shows health, an inventory, and various other displays. System Shock 2 is similar to its predecessor in that it is a hybrid encompassing many gameplay elements from various genres. This has led to speculation regarding the development of a third installment in the series. The development of BioShock has apparently reintroduced interest in the System Shock franchise leading Electronic Arts to renew their trademark on the System Shock name in 2006. In 2007, Irrational (now 2K Boston/ 2K Australia) developed a self-proclaimed spiritual successor to System Shock 2 entitled BioShock that was released on August 21 to mass universal acclaim.

Regardless of the title's legacy, the status of the franchise is somewhat in doubt. Despite poor sales, System Shock 2 has since become a cult classic and is now regarded by critics as one of the greatest games ever made due to its atmosphere and influence. The title was developed by Looking Glass Studios and Irrational Games as a direct sequel to the seminal 1994 PC game System Shock and was released on Augby publisher Electronic Arts to universal acclaim. Taking place on board an adrift starship in the year 2114, the player takes control of a lone soldier who attempts to absolve an outbreak of a mysterious and deadly alien infestation. System Shock 2 (commonly abbreviated SS2 or Shock2) is a science-fiction Horror-themed PC game that incorporates elements commonly seen in first-person shooters and role-playing games.

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