Pc Games | Ken Levine wanted System Shock 2's final level to be set in outer space, but the idea was shot down by its senior designers: 'They're like dude, we have 14 months to make this game'

[-CosmiNNe]

System Shock 2 is a PC gaming classic, but much like its spiritual successor Bioshock, its final act isn't as strong as the rest of the game. Its final level—The Body of the Many—swaps out the twisting spaceship corridors of the game's earlier levels for what is basically a giant intestine, with you fighting through a resource-draining gauntlet of enemies. Unless you're extremely careful, this can leave you ill-prepared for your showdown against Shodan.

While undeniably memorable, The Body of the Many is generally considered one of the weaker parts of System Shock 2. And according to System Shock 2 designer and Bioshock creator Ken Levine, this is entirely the fault of…Ken Levine.

Speaking to Nightdive Studios' Lawrence Sonntag in a video deep dive Levine says this all started with an even wilder idea for System Shock 2's finale. "I was at home one night, going for a run or something, [and] thought 'Oh my god, it'd be great if you went outside the ship [in] the zero g environment', he explains. "I was so inexperienced I had no idea what that would take."

https://www.pcgamer.com/games/fps/ken-levine-wanted-system-shock-2s-final-level-to-be-set-in-outer-space-but-the-idea-was-shot-down-by-its-senior-designers-theyre-like-dude-we-have-14-months-to-make-this-game/