Let's start off with some important information.

On Windows, the "Program Files" folder is a protected folder that works differently from other folders on your computer.

The long story short is that if you have your copy of System Shock 2 located within either the Program Files or the Program Files (x86) folder, you may encounter problems and some, or all, mods may not work at all. This varies from machine to machine and some people may not have a problem at all.

If you think you might be being affected by this, try moving your copy of Shock 2 from the Program Files folder into another folder like 'C:\Games' and launch it. If mods are installed correctly, they may start working for you.

If this is the case, you can make another Steam Library Folder using the Storage feature. Click Steam in the top left > Settings and Click 'Storage'.

Click the + Icon, and make a new SteamLibrary folder anywhere you want. Here is where I keep my games when I'm gaming on Windows.



Once you've done this, you can either reinstall System Shock 2 into this new folder and move any save files and mods you have from your old installation into this new installation, OR you can have Steam move everything over for you by going to the game's Properties, and in the "Installed Files" section, choose Move install folder...

SS2Tool is a great program that allows you to apply multiple fixes to the game as well as getting the game fully up and ready for using mods.

SS2Tool Download Page[www.systemshock.org]

Download this tool, run it and point it to your System Shock 2 installation. This tool will not function if your copy of System Shock 2 is installed in the Program Files folder. You will need to follow the steps in the Program Files section above.



PERFECT MODE will likely be the only thing that you can select at this point. Click Next >

Now you get to Choose your Components...



Click on the + next to Game options. Be sure to read through every setting and tweak available.

Multiplayer is not disabled in the Steam version of the game. However, if you use SS2Tool without Enabling it in the Game Options list, it will become disabled again. If you intend to play Multiplayer co-op, remember to enable it.

Multiplayer comes with it's own set of Issues, and isn't going to be touched on in this particular guide.

Once you click install, SS2Tool will connect to the internet, download some updates, and install the "SS2 Blue Mod Manager" for you.

HOWEVER, Blue Mod Manager has been deprecated. So we'll be updating that to a newer tool called "Dark Mod Manager" (This might sound confusing, but I'll guide you through it)

SS2Tool will install the "Blue Mod Manager" for us, but this has become deprecated. It's been replaced instead with the "Dark Mod Manager".

The Dark Mod Manager will be doing all the mod managing for us.

Blue Mod Manager, and Dark Mod Manager will be abbreviated to BMM and DMM for the rest of this guide.

Go into your System Shock 2 folder (You can quickly go there by, in Steam, going into System Shock 2's properties and clicking "Browse Local Files" on the Local Files tab)

You'll see SS2BMM.exe and SS2BMM.cfg in your SS2 folder. You can delete these.

Here is a link to the Dark Mod Manager[www.systemshock.org]

DMM is designed as a Drop in replacement for BMM. Put DMM.exe in your Root folder and run it



DMM just created a new folder in your SS2 installation called 'DMM'. All your mods will go inside their own folders inside this new DMM folder.

You can install mods in one of two ways, let DMM do it for you, or do it manually. Both are pretty easy:

DMM has a 'Install mod archive(s)...' button that will allow you to simply select an archive, and extract it into its own folder in the 'DMM' folder in your System Shock 2 directory.

DMM supports extracting mods from .7Z, .ZIP, RAR, and .CRF files.

Be aware that whatever the archive file is called, DMM will extract it into a folder of the same name, so be sure to rename your archive to something you can recognise. You can always rename the folder later.

Simply download a .7z, .zip, .rar, or .crf file, and extract it into a folder. Rename that folder to something you can recognise, and move it into the 'DMM' folder. The mod will magically appear in DMM under whatever name you gave the folder you put the mod in.



Which ever way you choose to install mods, as soon as DMM detects files in the DMM folder, DMM will update with the name of the folder that the mod is installed in. Again, be sure to name the folders so you can recognise them easily, and don't use more than 30 characters in the folder names.

You can also see all the 'Status' of the mods (is it Active or Inactive?) on your current copy of System Shock 2, and what type of mod it is.



To activate a mod, simply select the mod in the list, and press "Activate / Deactivate" or double-click on the mod in the list.

Clicking the X in the top-right will save the settings, close DMM and will not launch the game.

Having more than one active mod in the list will allow you to change the 'priority' of the mods. The order of the list determines when it will be loaded against all the other mods.

Mods that are higher up in the list take priority over mods that are further down the list, so you will want the most gameplay changing mods as low down the list as they can go: Apply your Base, then add the smaller modes on top!



Some mods may have 'Gamesys' listed in the Type column. This means that the mod in question uses a custom Shock2.gam and only one Shock2.gam can be used at a time. If you have two mods that have a custom Shock2.gam file, DMM will inform you that the two mods conflict with each other, and recommend you only have one Gamesys mod active at a time.

Once you're done prioritising your mods, click Apply changes at the bottom at you're done!

So now you know all this, all that needs to be done now is to choose what mods you want to use. Here are some of the best ones...

Shock Community Patch
by The System ShockEd Community
Current Version – Beta 6
https://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=7116
The name pretty much says it all. This is an unofficial patch created by the community to fix bugs, tweak balance issues and essentially continue to improve the game in the way Looking Glass / Irrational Games could have done if given more time on the project.

Also included is the latest version of the SHTUP mod

Olfred's Fixed Objects
by Olfred
Current Version – v14
https://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=5982.0
Small fixed to a lot of System Shock 2s items and objects. Worth it to keep the immersion levels at their highest.

System Shock Infinite
by Xdiesp, Captain LKL et. al
Current Version - 2.41b, October 29th 2015
https://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=6277.0
http://www.moddb.com/mods/system-shock-infinite
An Unofficial sequel to System Shock 2. This Total Conversion weighs in at over 1GB.

SHTUP
by ZylonBane et. al
Current Version - Beta 2-ND
https://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=22.0
This mod upgrades all of the object textures as well as fixing typos, graphical errors and continuity errors. This mod sticks to the Shock 2 artstyle very closely and is highly recommended for all players.

Four Hundred
by ACC
Current Version – Release 21U
http://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=4240
http://gaarabis.free.fr/index.php?catid=2
This mod upgrades the terrain textures in the game. This mod is a relatively new one as altering terrain textures was not possible until the arrival of the 'NewDark' patch. Highly recommended for all players.

Hi-Res Space Textures
by Vurt
Current Version – v1.1
http://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=4135
For a game set in space, you'll need some brand new space textures! A huge improvement over the original textures and definately worth checking out. Highly recommended for all players.

Flora Overhaul
by Vurt
Current Version – v1.0k
http://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=3181
Upgrade the plantlife onboard the Von Braun with his very nice collection of improved models and textures. Highly recommended for all players.

Hi-Res Water
by Vurt
Current Version – v5.1, older versions available
http://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=4167
Water water everywhere so let's all upgrade the old water textures with these hi-res, better animated water textures. Highly recommended for all players.

Organics / Goo - Potential Spoilers
by Vurt
Current Version - Varies
http://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=4139.0
Improves the visuals of the annelid goo, egg textures and other smaller elements. You can mix and match from many different pieces of this one. Recommended for all players.

Tacticool Weapon Replacement Mods
by Mercurius
Current Version – 1.05 (Eldron's Psi-Amp included)
http://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=691
Here are some of the best weapon mods out there. Looking extremely cool whilst staying very close to the original's look and feel. Grab the complete pack to download everything you see or mix and match which weapons you want from individual downloads.

Enhanced Psi-Amp
by Eldron
Current Version – v2
http://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=82
Every OSA agent will want to wrap his mind around this new Psi-Amp model. It stays faithful to the default look and feel of the original Psi-Amp. Highly Recommended.

Rebirth 02
by Cyberblutch, ZylonBane, Voodoo47
Current Version – 05a
http://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=8
This mod package vastly improves the models and textures of all of the monsters aboard the Von Braun and the UNN Rickenbacker including the Hybrids, Midwives, Assassins and Rumblers. It is worth seeing the default monsters first before you decide on using this but if the thought of looking at an enemy model made with less than 100 polygons fills you with disgust for your fellow man then go ahead and apply this mod.

Alternate Hybrid RebirthSkins
by ImpyNickers
Current Version – v2
http://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=4219
If you feel that you want a Hybrid texture that looks closer to the original game's version then simply apply this set of textures over your installed copy of 'Rebirth 02', it will not work unless you have that installed first.

SS2 Vintage Song Remake
by Vaxquis
Current Version – v1.0
https://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=6849.0
Shock 2 uses dymanic music recorded at a very low bitrate and split into many small pieces. This mod replaces the music files with higher quality versions taken from the soundtrack of the game. Highly recommended to all players.

Impossible Multiplayer Difficulty
by Crion
http://www.systemshock.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=61.0;attach=1750
This mod will, upon creating a co-op session, set the difficulty to Impossible over the standard 'Hard' difficulty setting the game defaults all co-op sessions to. If you intend on playing co-op with this mod installed, make sure any people playing with you also have this mod installed.

No Spiders
by Jocke
Current Version – v2
http://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=134
Attention all arachnophobiacs! Now you need no longer fear the corridors of Deck 4 and beyond as all spiders have been completely removed from the game. If you intend on playing co-op with this mod installed, make sure any people playing with you also have this mod installed.

Fixed Objects
by Olfred
Current Version – v12
https://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=5982.0
Fixes a lot of object texture and collision issues. A good compliment to the SHTUP mod.

French Translation
by Koyla
Current Version - Beta 17
https://www.dxm.be/navigator.php5?lang=en&content=215
Translate your copy of Shock 2 into French with this mod.
Traduire votre copie de Shock 2 en français avec ce mod.

Italian Translation
by Koyla
Current Version - v1.4
http://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=1593.msg8034#msg8034
Translate your copy of Shock 2 into Italian with this mod.
Tradurre la tua copia di Shock 2 in italiano con questo mod.

Spanish Translation
by Arkero99, Darkpadawan
Current Version - v2
http://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=683.0
Translate your copy of Shock 2 into Spanish with this mod.
Traduce tu copia de Shock 2 al español con este mod.

Polish Translation
by Unknown
Current Version - v10
http://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=659.0
Translate your copy of Shock 2 into Polish with this mod.
Przekłada kopii Shock 2 język polski z tego moda.

Czech Translation
by Vex, Miracle.Freak
Current Version - 0.99 'NewDark' edition
http://www.systemshock.org/index.php?topic=662.0
Translate your copy of Shock 2 into Czech with this mod.
Přeložit kopii Shock 2 do češtiny s tímto módem.

The cam_ext.cfg file contains a collection of hidden settings to add things such as Bloom and Anti-Aliasing effects.

Simply find the file in your Shock 2 directory and Open it with Notepad. Find the D3D9 render options section about halfway down and have a look at what you can alter.

To enable commands simply remove the semi-colon in front of it. Example:
;multisampletype 8
becomes
multisampletype 8

You can have a good read and decide what options you want to enable. I like to enable the following:

multisampletype 8 - Enables Anti-Aliasing
postprocess 1 - Enables Post Processing Effects
bloomscale 4
bloom_range 2
bloom_saturation 0.7
bloom_threshold 0.85

Please note however that if you are running the game on a machine that has an Intel graphics chip, the game will probably not work properly if Anti-Aliasing is enabled. You will see a black screen and the game will be playing in a tiny window in the corner of your screen.

If you want to try something a little different after you've played System Shock 2, you could always try one of the many Fan Missions released for the game.

You can find System Shock 2 missions at the Thief Missions[thiefmissions.com] website

Once you have a few, you may be wondering what to do with them. You may even try to extract them into your Shock 2 folder. Fan Missions (FMs) will not function properly if you simply dump them into certain folders and try to do things yourself. You will end up breaking things!

Luckily, The NewDark version of System Shock 2 comes with a built in Fan Mission loader called FMSel.

To use FMSel, Start System Shock 2 in your Steam Games list and choose "Launch Fan Mission Selector" from the list of options.



FMSel will start and ask you to create an FMs directory. Click Yes.



Once you've done that, FMSel will ask you to specify a folder in which you keep your FMs so put all your FMs in one folder and have FMSel use that folder.



Once you've done that, FMSel will list all the FMs it finds in that folder.




From here you can do many different things:
Skip FM - Will Launch System Shock 2 without using any FM.
Play FM - Will Launch System Shock 2 with the currently selected FM. It will ask you to Extract Archive which, when Yes is selected, will install the FM into the FMs folder.
Start FM - Will Launch System Shock 2 with the currently selected FM and set your Status to 'Playing' (I presume this is used for things like Windows Live Messenger and other software)

You can also rate your FMs, Search for an FM in the Name text bar, Read any Readmes inside (Right click > View Info File) and many other things.



All my System Shock 2 save files have gone! What have you done?!
Don't Panic! Your save files are still there. When Shock 2 is launched with an FM, you get to have seperate saves! These are stored in your FMs folder and every time you launch that FM, you'll see your saves there again from the last time you played.

Will my installed mods work with an FM?
They should do! As you can see from the screenshot above, I'm using the Assault Rifle from the Tacticool bundle whilst playing 'Shocking Ruins'.

Can I install mods this way too?
No.

Can I play Multiplayer with any of these FMs?
That depends on the FM. Read the readme and see if it mentions Multiplayer support.

Can I hold you responsible for anything daft I do like try to install Thief 2 FMs into Shock 2?
Nope.

Thats all the mods I'll list for now. If you know of any others, leave a comment below and I'll consider adding it to the list.

Thanks for reading. If you want to see comparision shots of all of the mods listed above, you can visit http://www.saleck.net/creations/gamefixguides/systemshock2mods.php#graphicalmods to see them. You can also donate anything you feel like here too :)

Be sure to check out some of my other guides:
http://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=144319596
http://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=113158282
http://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=113169312

If you liked this guide, and would like to support me in the upkeep of all my little projects that I do, you can send me a monitary donation through the link below. I appriecate it!

https://www.paypal.me/saleck