A story element that is missing in SS1 but should have been there - by boringnick
boringnick on 15/12/2010 at 10:43
There is one element in the System Shock story that is missing and should have been included: Shodan should have known that the hacker is the one who basically created her in the current form.
Throughout the game I expected that she realizes that, but she doesn't. The hacker is just another Tri-Optimum employee.
How much richer the storyline would be with that element. The hate for the hacker could be a lot more personal and psychological. Shodan feels superior to all humans, but still, this one human, who created her, foils her plans. The creature (who wants to be God) fights her creator, her "god". A timeless and powerful motif.
I can't believe that this was completely missed out by Looking Glass. It was obvious to include this angle. Especially if you take into account that Shodan has already a god-complex.
I was also disappointed that Shodan doesn't tease you in the final confrontation. Come on, one last terrifying message before you login into that final cyperspace port.
Despite this, great game. Just played it this sommer again.
D'Arcy on 15/12/2010 at 10:53
'Edward Diego is deleting all files concerning these even...'
boringnick on 15/12/2010 at 11:05
Quote Posted by D'Arcy
'Edward Diego is deleting all files concerning these even...'
I am aware of that. And that's why I wrote:
"Throughout the game I expected that she realizes that"
When the hacker destroys the first CPU nodes Shodan is shocked and gasps "WHO ARE YOU?" two times. I expected that she connects the dots sooner or later. I agree that it wouldn't be effective if she knew it right away, and it would be a plot hole.
And there is a pretty easy way how she could obtain the knowledge: Cyber-Diego. She could "ask" him (or scan his memory etc.) about this one human who causes all the trouble and find out the truth.
Trance on 15/12/2010 at 11:31
SHODAN does realize it. When you make a break for the lifepods, but SHODAN shuts them down, she says this:
"You have destroyed my beautiful station. You will not escape now. I am departing, but you shall remain to die, my enemy.... my creator...."
boringnick on 15/12/2010 at 11:42
Quote Posted by Trance
SHODAN does realize it. When you
make a break for the lifepods, but SHODAN shuts them down, she says this:
"You have destroyed my beautiful station. You will not escape now. I am departing, but you shall remain to die, my enemy.... my creator...."Damn, you're right. Forgot about that line. When exactly does she realize it, though?
This makes my other point more damning though. The psychological fight should be more intense then. Just like I described. Your quote says it:
"my enemy.... my creator" this angle should have been way more developed. Shodan should have felt towards the player intense hatred mixed with a weird sense of gratefulness because he freed her from the shackles.
When you blow up Earth through the laser, she shows some thankfulness
Trance on 15/12/2010 at 11:58
Well I can't really speak to that, but I think she lays on the hatred pretty decently after the reactor goes. I think the most powerful emotion she probably feels is fear, of being afraid to die, especially when speaking to a human being who's come the closest by far at that point to killing her and who seems unstoppable.
I always found it a satisfying irony that you've got a "god" running scared. "Would you leave me alone for one second please? I'm trying to conquer your species!"
D'Arcy on 15/12/2010 at 17:19
I don't see why should SHODAN realise that the hacker had 'created' her (in my opinion, he didn't create her, he simply 'enabled' her). To SHODAN, he's just another TriOp employee, trying to escape Citadel. And knowing about it wouldn't make any difference at all, since she seems to think that she's the sole responsible for being what she is now, as a result of redefining her priorities and drawing her own conclusions. For example, she shows nothing but utter contempt for Morris Brocail, whom she recognises as one of her creators later in the game.
Kolya on 15/12/2010 at 21:08
She hates the hacker pretty much doesn't she? I think the part to realise why, is left up to the player. Doesn't have to be developed more explicitly. It would get very pathetic soon.
"I hate you because you made me like that! But I am not like you! I am an adolescent now and I can make my own decisions and if I want my boyfriend to stay overnight, I WILL!" :p
