Note that we always assume that you begin with an unmodified SS2 game, which means an original CD or an image of the original CD (eg ISO).
We don't care where you got the game but repackages with pre-applied mods/fixes/patches/cracks are definitely NOT supported here, because it is impossible for anyone to know the quirks of every repackage.
Get a clean copy and we'll get you running and modded to your heart's desire. It will save your time as well as ours. Please post problems in the Helpdesk forum.
Installation & Getting mod ready- To install the game just copy the "shock" folder from the CD to your computer.
(80 characters maximum path length. On Vista & Win7 do not copy to Program Files.) - Install the SS2Tool
- Recommended: Install the SS2 Modmanager
Installation & modifikationsbereit machen- Um das Spiel zu installieren, kopiere einfach den Ordner "shock" von der CD auf deinen Computer.
(80 Zeichen maximale Pfadlänge. Auf Vista & Win7 kopiere nicht nach Programme.) - Installiere das SS2Tool.
- Extrahiere den SS2 Deutsch Patch in das Spielverzeichnis.
- Empfehlung: Installiere den SS2 Modmanager.
Troubleshooting- On Vista/Win7 start the game as administrator
- If the game crashes at the start, try renaming the file LGVID.AX to LGVID.AX.BAK and see the Videos / Cutscenes Guide
- If you just installed and the game crashes after the loading screen, reboot.
- Do not use compatibility modes, it won't work. (Note that compatibility settings survive re-installation.)
- Don't install cracks, it's unnecessary.
- Broken Use/Shoot Mode Problem (If you cannot drag items in the inventory)
- If it runs too fast, turn on v-sync. Usually it can be set in your graphics driver options.
- If you cannot see the menu but hear it humming, disable your second monitor and/or second graphics card.
- Sound problems
- Multiplayer Guide
- English Manual
- The Mother Of All Guides
First LoveIf you're playing SS2 for the first time, we envy you. You're in for one hell of a game. Just don't make the mistake to play in
multiplayer mode first, save that one up for later. Now to the point:
ZylonBane's Newbie Guide to System Shock 2 is a
spoiler free guide on how to get the best out of your first System Shock 2 experience. It includes a number of worthwhile tips and tricks that are usually unknown to first timers but make quite a difference in the game. It's a great idea to point people to this guide that you want to introduce to System Shock 2 (which is also a great idea).
For a first-timer we recommend just one mod:
SHTUP - a faithful recreation of the original textures in high resolution.
How to install modsYou will find a wide variety of
mods and some of the best
FMs here. Usually these are packed into compressed file archives (ss2mod, zip, 7z, rar). There are 2 ways to install a mod:
1. Modmanager (recommended): Not all mods/FMs work well together. Some overlap in the files they modify. Also installing and (even moreso) uninstalling mods/FMs can become a bit of a hassle. The
modmanager solves this with these features.
- Overview of existing mods and FMs
- Easy activation of mods and FMs
- Automatic conflict check
- Separate save-game sets for FMs or mods
2. Manually: This is recommended for mods you want to keep permanently active in your game, i.e. never play without.
SHTUP comes to mind.
Download the compressed archive, decompress it with an unpacker of your choice (
7zip is free & recommended). Then place the contents of the archive in the "DataPermanentMods" folder of your
mod-ready game.
How to run mods with the modmanager- Change the file extension of the downloaded archive to .ss2mod, confirm the windows note box. The icon will change. (Help) Alternatively you can add mods via the modmanager's File menu.
- Doubleclick the file. It will get copied to the modmanager directory at Sshock2\SS2MM\MODS\.
- You can delete the mod/FM after that. Or keep it for new installs or for friends.
- Activate the mod or FM within the modmanager by marking it and clicking the "Activate" button.
Which mods are compatibleMost SS2 mods are compatible, including weapon, mesh, texture, object, and sound mods. Watching the
°tags can help you distinguish mods in advance.
When mod files overlap, the modmanager will throw a conflict warning. Take that as a hint to check compatibility. But note that in many cases the mods can still work together. The mod you activate last will have all it's files intact then, while previously activated mods will be partially overwritten. This might not be so bad or even wanted, eg you can always use the texture mod
SHTUP as a base and then activate other mods containing textures on top of it.
There's one strict rule to mod compatibility though: One
gamesys to rule them all! You can always only have one mod containing a gamesys file activated, because this single file controls most aspects of gameplay. Overwriting it breaks any previously activated gamesys mods.
For an in-depth explanation of how to make mods compatible, see
SS2 Modding mechanics & compatibilities.
Information on how to
create and upload mods that work with the modmanager can be found in the
Upload Guide.SS2 mod tag legendSome common tags of SS2 mods and what they mean.
- gamesys = Gameplay mod, incompatible with other mods containing a gamesys.
- mis = Contains one or more mission files (levels), compatibility depends on whether missions overlap.
- mesh = AI models (NPCs). Or sometimes a player model.
- texture = Mod that consists solely or mostly of textures. High compatibility. Note that other mods often contain textures as well (eg object mods usually have textures attached to the object).
- weapon = High compatibility.
- object = Contains one or more objects. High compatibility.
- sound = Music, ambient, weapon sounds, etc. High compatibility.
- string = Replaces texts, eg descriptions, help texts, log texts in the game.
- motion = Replaces the file motiondb.bin that solely controls the motion animations of NPCs. Quite rare. Incompatible with other motion mods.
- translation = SS2 was released in English and German. Other translations are usually pure text translations while the audio is still English.
- recommended = Recommended mod.
- veteran = Mod that changes the game a lot and only really becomes interesting when you've beaten the original game a few times.
