Four things to know:

1. You want this game. This game is great. All-time great.

2. You want to install visual mods that really make the game sparkle on modern displays. This mod pack packages up all of the best visual mods in one collection: http://neutralx2.com/2013/07/14/system-shock-2-mod-pack

These mods are as faithful to the original look as possible. They just make the game look like it should on today's high resolution displays.

3. Load the "standard FPS" control preset. It will save you a little remapping.

4. Turn off the music. Pounding techno music (like in Med Sci 1) stomps all over the rest of the game's lonely, isolated atmosphere.