Try to play on XP if you can, there is a patch out there somewhere. Even in 2013 I'd still recommend people to play it. There are a few problems, namely the weapons needing to be repaired too frequently, some upgrades such as exotic weapons not balanced, and perhaps a reduction in the quality of the levels in the late game (but only compared to the high standard of those that come before). All this despite the graphics were not the best going around, even for its day. A simple look out the window from a crew member's cabin reminds you all too well of this. Level design, lighting, sounds, voice acting and music will make for an unparalleled experience: you will feel desperately alone on a massive spaceship trillions of miles from earth. Amazing story-line that couldn't be told better with so many twists that you won't see coming. I've given up finding a game that replicates the feeling I had when I first played this. Amazing My absolute favorite game of all time.
It is the principle of System Shock 2 to continue this game design.
Levels were realistically designed and had logical reasons behind them. The plot was always present, but not so confining as in traditional shooters - there was almost always more than one task to accomplish. Unlike most other first person shooters, the purpose of System Shock was not to kill everything in sight nor was it a "find the key to move onto the next level" game. Like System Shock 1, there will be persistent levels (i.e., drop an item on one level, and you could go back later to retrieve it), gameplay elements like logs, inventory, skills, persistent world, leaning, hacking, rpg elements, multiple weapons and enemies, and a compelling storyline.