Tagging

Lore & Background

In the dystopian future of System Shock, tagging emerged as a practical adaptation by Citadel Station's security personnel and later by survivors like the Hacker. Originally a diagnostic tool for tracking maintenance drones or hazardous materials, it was repurposed by SHODAN's victims to identify hostile cyborgs and mutants in the chaos of the station's collapse. The mechanic reflects the grim resourcefulness of those who must navigate SHODAN's twisted domain, where every corner holds a threat and a quiet marker can mean the difference between survival and a bloody end.

In Their Own Story

The Hacker's visor flickered as a groaning cyborg shambled from the shadows. With a quick tap of the tagging interface, a glowing marker appeared above its head—a silent promise. 'Tagged,' they muttered, stepping back into the ventilation shaft. Later, in the medbay, a flickering display showed the tagged enemy's position, still patrolling the corridor. A small victory in a station of nightmares—a thread of order in the chaos.

Reader's Guide

Tagging is a non-combat utility that lets you mark enemies, objects, or locations with a visible indicator. In System Shock 2, you can tag enemies by aiming and pressing the designated key, which places a persistent marker on them. This marker appears on your HUD and map, allowing you to track their movement or return to a location. In the 2023 remake, tagging is streamlined: you can tag enemies by looking at them and pressing a button, and the marker remains until the enemy is killed or you remove it. It's especially useful for keeping tabs on patrolling enemies, marking lootable containers, or highlighting key doors in complex levels. Tagging doesn't affect enemy behavior—they remain unaware of the marker—but it gives you a tactical edge in planning routes or ambushes. Use it to avoid surprises in dark corridors or to coordinate your approach in areas with multiple threats. The mechanic is simple but vital for players who prefer stealth or methodical exploration over direct combat—a quiet tool for those who like to stack the odds before the shooting starts.

Did You Know?

• In System Shock 2, tagging an enemy also displays its health bar, letting you gauge damage at a distance.
• The tagging system in the original System Shock (1994) was limited to map markers, not real-time enemy tracking.
• Tagging is often overlooked by new players but is a favorite of speedrunners for marking key objectives.
• In the 2023 remake, tagged enemies remain visible through walls on the HUD, aiding in ambush avoidance.