I wanted to make a quick guide for players who are experiencing the game for the first time.

HOW TO PLAY

System Shock 2 is essentially a First Person Shooter with roleplaying elements. As you complete tasks you will be rewarded with Cyber Modules which can be used to upgrade your character at the STAT, PSI, WEAPON and TECH terminals.You will also have an inventory to manage which will include weapons, ammo, implants, armor and hypos.

Weapons - Used to kill enemies obviously. They degrade in condition as you use them and will require maintenance tools to keep them functioning.

Ammo - There are different types of ammo for most weapons. Different types of ammo will be more useful against different enemies.

Armor - Reduces damage taken passively.

Hypos - Med hypos replenish health over time. Psi hypos replenish psi instantly. Anti-Rad and Anti-Toxin remove levels of radiation or toxins. Other hypos can provide short term benefits like increased speed.

Implants - Most of them provide +1 to a statistic. Others can provide odd benefits like using worms to replenish health.

DO I NEED TO PLAY SYSTEM SHOCK 1 FIRST?

Not at all. This game is set 42 years after the first one with a completely new character. It does have relevance to the first game but you will be informed of the events which occurred.

BASIC BUILD

You won’t be able to purchase every upgrade in System Shock 2. Instead you will have to specialize your character in different areas. Upgrades cost more at higher difficulty levels. The following build is a great way to start the game if you're new.

Choose Navy as a career.

YEAR 1 – 1 HACK 1 STRENGTH
YEAR 2 – 2 STANDARD WEAPONS
YEAR 3 – 2 ENDURANCE

You will now be earning cyber modules. Upgrade your abilities at the special terminals

HACK 1 > 3 (Tech)
AGILITY 1 > 2 (Stat)
MAINTENANCE 0 > 2 (Tech)
STRENGTH 2 > 3 (Stat)
AGILITY 2 > 3 (Stat)
PSI TIER 2 UNLOCK (Psi)
PSI TIER 2 – REGENERATION (Psi)
CYBER 1 > 3 (Stat)
HEAVY 0 > 1 (Weapon)
ENERGY 0 > 1 (Weapon)

This build gets most of your basic statistics rolling, lets you hack ValueReps (the vendors for the game) and security consoles (which power down security devices in the area) and gives you the psi regeneration power which restores health at the cost of psi. It also lets you use the laser pistol and grenade launcher which are two of the most valuable weapons. Keep investing in STANDARD, STRENGTH, AGILITY, ENDURANCE and MAINTENANCE later on so that they are all at level 4.

AVOID THESE SKILLS

REPAIR – Repair kits do it for you.
MODIFY – French Epstein devices do it for you.
RESEARCH – Upgrading weapon skills is better.
EXOTIC – The weapons are terrible.

BASIC TIPS

-Watch out for cameras. If they go yellow either shoot them out or try to lose their sight. Red means they’ve gone on alert and you need to use a security console to turn the alert off
-Always be upgrading. Spend your cyber modules whenever you can
-Turn on Regeneration Chambers and keep 5 nanites on you so you can revive if you die
-Use the maintenance skill and tools to keep weapon conditions good
-Hold spacebar to mantle onto higher places
-Avoid the red nodes while hacking as they can break the device
-Use the wrench on Decks 1 and 2 as this will help stockpile ammo for later
-Pick up all audio logs you can find as they will sometimes tell you about hidden stockpiles or door codes
-Power down security using the terminals so you can smash cameras or turrets before they can harm you
-Enable the automap to help you find your way around
-Purchase ammo and medical / psi hypos at ValueReps

ALL AUDIO LOGS
http://www.systemshock.org/shocklogs/

CHALLENGES

Pacifist – Complete the game while killing only the mission related targets like the red cyborgs

Speed Runner – Beat the game in under an hour. Using the maintenance access code early is allowed.

Wrench Run – Use only melee weapons to beat the game.

Psi Power – Use only psi abilities to beat the game.

Ironman – Don’t use any regeneration chambers.

I hope that wasn't too much information. Enjoy the game!

Here's an in-depth online guide I found some time ago.

Are the shotguns part of standard weapons? I just found the first one that isn't broken.

Also what weapon type is best used against the robots? The shotgun with non pellet ammo seemed slow.

Previously I had used the pistol with AP rounds for turrets which worked well, should I do the same for robots?

And is there a way to unload a weapon from ammo (to use ammo from almost broken guns in good ones)?

Depends. There are not nearly enough devies around and Modify 3 which let's you upgrade almost any important weapon (except Laser 2 and Assault Rifle 2) does not cost that much. Again, there are more than enough CMs around to easily get this to level 2 or 3 which is enough for most things. If one has a high enough research skill, the Crystal Shard is more than worth the few CMs vor Exotic 1.

1 - With cameras. Yes when they turn yellow shootem or losem. But when red and the alarm is set off you dont actually HAVE to do anything sept defend yourself outta view of it from the oncoming onslaught of enemies 1 at a time. As the alrm will only be going off for a set amount of time. Which you can view in the bottom left of your monitor as part of your HUD.

2 - dont always be upgrading. Upgrade wisely. If need be, be patient on spending cyber modules so you can get enough to actually upgrade sumthang worth upgrading.

3 - turn on Regeneration Chambers is yes correct but you will want more than 5 measly nanites for it to properly work. As it doesnt always jest cost 5 nanites. Sumtimes it requires more.

4 - you dont need the maintenance skill really. There are other means to repairing weapons. Or better yet jest search on dead enemies for a replacement its that simple.

5 - I unno what mantling is honestly for you but my definition of that word is related to clothing only. So to reach higher places I would say climb the ladder as expected but to get off it sideways you cant simply jest look in that direction you will have to also press Space then.

6 - The game tells you bout the red nodes when hacking so why would you even consider adding that to your list of basic notes?

7 - I recommend using the wrench at as much as possible especially if you got training in standard weapons. Not jest for Decks 1 & 2.

8 - you would think after the whole doom series and what not its pretty clear to pickup audio logs as much as possible.

9 - NO you DO NOT have to power down security to destroy or avoid it. You jest have to know where it all is located.

10 - the automap feature is optional. In all honesty me personally I dont use it. As for me its a distraction and confuses me.

11 - the purchasing of anything is pretty clear obviously where to buy it. So this is goes with your red notes tip.

Mantling is climbing, like in Thief, on places that don't have ladders but also are a bit too high to just jump on them.