System Shock 2 Guide

System Shock 2 is the sci-fi RPG masterpiece before Bioshock. Intricate story, Psi powers, character development, ability perks, tons of loot and dark atomosphere. Sounds like Bioshock doesn't it?

sshock84.png


Follow my step-by-step guide on installing, configuring and optimizing System Shock 2 in Linux with PlayOnLinux.

Note: This guide applies to the GOG.com version of System Shock 2. Other versions may require additional steps.

Tips & Specs:

To learn more about PlayOnLinux and Wine configuration, see the online manual: PlayOnLinux Explained

int 17 64-bit
PlayOnLinux: 4.2.4
Wine: 1.6.2

Wine Installation

Click Tools
Select "Manage Wine Versions"
wine01.png


Look for the Wine Version: 1.6.2
Note: Try using stable Wine 1.8 and 1.8-staging

Select it
Click the arrow pointing to the right
wine02.png


Click Next

Downloading Wine
wine04.png


Extracting

Downloading Gecko
wine05.png


Installed
wine06.png


Wine 1.6.2 is installed and you can close this window

PlayOnLinux Setup

Launch PlayOnLinux
Click Install
sshock01.png


Click "Install a non-listed program"
sshock02.png


Click Next

Select "Install a program in a new virtual drive"
Click Next
sshock04.png


Name the virtual drive: systemshock2
Click Next
sshock05.png


Check all three options:
  • Use another version of Wine
  • Configure Wine
  • Install some libraries

Click Next
sshock06.png


Select Wine 1.6.2
Click Next
sshock07.png


Select "32 bits windows installation"
Click Next
sshock09.png


Wine Configuration

Applications Tab
Windows Version: Windows 7
Click Apply
sshock10.png


Graphics Tab
Check "Automatically capture the mouse in full-screen windows"
Check "Emulate a virtual drive"
Desktop Size: 1024x768
Click OK
sshock11.png


Installing Packages (DLL's/Components)

Check the following libraries:
  • POL_Install_corefonts
  • POL_Install_directx9
  • POL_Install_d3dx9_43
  • POL_Install_gdiplus
  • POL_Install_msvcrt40
  • POL_Install_tahoma

Click Next
sshock12.png


Note: All libraries/packages will automatically download and install

Installing System Shock 2

Click Browse
sshock13.png


Select "setup_system_shock2_2.1.0.19.exe"
Click Open
sshock14.png


Click Next

Check "Yes, I have read and accept EULA"
Click Options
Uncheck "Create desktop icons"
sshock16.png


Installing...
sshock17.png


Click Exit
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PlayOnLinux Shortcut

Select "SHOCK2.EXE"
Click Next
sshock19.png


Name the shortcut: System Shock 2
Click Next
sshock20.png


Click Next

Configure PlayOnLinux

Back to PlayOnLinux
Select "System Shock 2"
Click Configure
sshock21.png


General Tab
Wine version: 1.6.2
Note: Click the + to download other version of Wine. Click the down-arrow to select other versions of Wine
sshock22.png


Display Tab
Video memory size: Enter the amount of memory for your video card/chip
sshock23.png


Installing Patch

Miscellaneous Tab
Click "Run a .exe file in this virtual drive"
sshock24.png


Select "patch_system_shock2_2.1.1.20.exe"
Click Open
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Click Update
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Click Exit
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Launch System Shock 2

Select System Shock 2
Click Run
sshock28.png


Click Options
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Click Video
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Select Resolution to match your Linux Desktop
Click Done
sshock31.png


Conclusion:
System Shock 2 played extremely smooth on my GeForce 550 Ti and supported 1680x1050 resolution. It still looks great and was a lot of fun to play. Since its DRM free from GOG, you can install it on a few computers and play cooperative.

Video:

Screenshots:
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Last edited:
Click to expand...
Daerandin
This game is awesome! The co-op mode is pretty cool too. It plays exactly as the regular single player game, except the game is locked on hard difficulty. Being more players allow you to focus on skills so each player can specialize more than what the single player game allows.

There is not really any penalties for dying when playing co-op mode, at least to my memory. You simply respawn with all your stuff at the beginning of the level, or at the respawn machines if one has been activated on the current map.

The co-op mode do suffer from some sync issues between players, but these are all visual. I would strongly suggest having the mini-map open at all times if playing co-op as it will correctly display everyone's location. The sync issues are not that frequent or problematic, but it may sometimes appear as if your team-mate is stuck running into a wall while he is actually following you, but these issues are not too common and resolve themselves fairly quickly. Most importantly, they are only visual.
 
booman
That is Great!
I wish more games focused on cooperative because its fun to play a single-player campaign, but its even funner to play it with a friend.
There are more and more games today with cooperative included, but sometimes its just bots running around.
 
Z
I know this is a pretty old guide, but I think it should work. I don't have the above mentioned msvcrt40, or anything starting with msvcrt, only msvcXX stuff. I didn't find anything about it on playonlinux, or anywhere else. What do I do wrong? Is there a workaround or another selectable POL package that would help?
 
booman
Try using Wine 2.0 or Wine 2.0-staging. Where exactly do you get stuck?

You probably won't need all of these packages:
  • POL_Install_corefonts
  • POL_Install_d3dx9
  • POL_Install_d3dx9_43
  • POL_Install_gdiplus
  • POL_Install_msvcrt40
  • POL_Install_tahoma
You might just want to try the packages without the strike through.
 
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