10 Video Games That Were WAY Ahead Of Their Time

2. Customisable Characters - System Shock 2

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During the 1990s, it seemed like every FPS was copy-and-pasting the layout and style of Doom. But when System Shock 2 came out, it proved there was more than one way to make a first-person shooter.

Even though System Shock 2 had crystal clear sound and high-function NPCs, that's not what made it stand out. This sequel's secret weapon was its Dark Engine, which allowed you to change your character's abilities.

By performing certain tasks or acquiring upgrades, you could enhance your strength, agility, and endurance. Because your customisations have a direct effect on game, it kept the player more invested in the gameplay. It also encourages the player to perform multiple playthroughs so they could experiment with different customisation options.

Also, the way the story is mainly told through the audio clips that you find was an effective method to keep the player informed of the bigger picture without it getting in the way of the gameplay. Even though performances in video games during this era could barely compete with a school play, the voice acting is excellent, which helped keep the player immersed.

System Shock 2 may have been a commercial bomb, but its influence has allowed it to take its place in the annals of gaming history for all time.

Contributor

James Egan has been with Whatculture for five years and prominently works on Horror, Film, and Video Games. He's written over 80 books including 1000 Facts about Horror Movies Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about The Greatest Films Ever Made Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts about Video Games Vol. 1-3 1000 Facts About James Bond 1000 Facts About TV Shows