I also enjoyed the cyber-space parts as well. The mini-hacking pieces also took more thinking than just the trial and error clicking of 2. In SS2 Delacroix pretty much walks you through each step with her leading you by the nose until the 'big reveal.' One had to search for those clues and the logs gave you just enough info to know in which direction to look. The original's puzzles felt just challenging enough with the clues planted throughout the station in a logical fashion. The puzzles win hands down when comparing 1 vs 2.

This is totally subjective but 2's level layout didn't seem as cohesive as 1's with 2's last several levels (Rickenbacker and The Many) falling flat fairly quickly and forcing a totally different play style onto the player (the jumping!!). Citidel Station felt like an actual space station with each level laid out in a fairly functional way that made sense and just 'felt' more cohesive. I enjoyed the level design of 1 the best. Now this isn't intended as a full review of each game and their various parts but rather a quick impressions-type look at each games strengths (and weaknesses) with one emerging as the 'winner.'

With the recent announcement of a SS3 being led by Warren Spector I began comparing the games to each other.

I just recently finished both System Shock 1 & 2 and started thinking which one did I enjoy more. With all the GotY polls flying fast and loose around here recently I got the itch to create a poll myself.

System shock 1 level 2