System Shock

After playing it for around 35 hours, I can definitely say that it's a damn good game. Would I call it fun? Not exactly, because sometimes I would get lost after performing a task as I don't have a clue of what I'm supposed to do next. However, I must say that this game gives you hell lotta satisfaction each time you use your peanut brain to solve a puzzle or a task, as this game has no quest log like most games. You have to do a lot of reading, listening and need to be attentive to the surroundings in order to progress through the game because your tasks and security codes are written in emails and audio logs. The things that I loved about this game are it's guns, sound design and the art direction that developers went to give it the original look. The look, feel and sound of the guns are soo fantastic that each time I fire my magnum, it's activates my neurons. The only critique that I'm gonna make is about the glitches that you witness in character models after you kill them. It looks like the models are either having a stroke or a drug overdose when I backtrack to previous floors. Overall, a pretty fun immersive sim game that we got in recent times as Prey from Arkane Studios was the last such game that released 7-8 years ago. If you're a first timer in this genre of games, I think this would be a great start for you. Edit: The final boss fight was turbo ass.

This game is extraordinary. Completing this gave me feeling of pure accomplishment I hadn't felt since playing Alien Isolation. The pacing is incredible, with the game being smart about what resources it gives you throughout. You start hiding behind corners, running from everything and then end blasting enemies away in pure gory glee. I love this game so much, being a perfect representation of everything that made the original so good. Playing this really does make you wonder what happened to this kind of game, one where the player has to actually think instead of being handheld throughout. They really don't make em like they used too, and System Shock Remake is a perfect example of the pure excellence we've sadly left behind.

This is an absolute 10/10 game. The original was just as good in its day, but I can't make myself go back and play it today, even with the recent improvements. This remake, though, is a treat to play and gives the original System Shock a bit of control continuity with System Shock 2. There is something interesting going on with the art style. If you are familiar with classic cyberpunk, you'll get that feeling from this game. The oppressive techno-industrial imagery is all there with neon green glowing from all kinds of places. Top notch work on the overall aesthetic! The weapons are varied and interesting to use, though System Shock is not a true action game. It is more akin to a survival-horror experience where you have to be careful about ammo management. At least up until the final segment, where you can finally feel free to unload all your hoarded ammo since it is clear that the game is nearing its conclusion. The game is fairly challenging, mainly in the need to be careful. It is difficult for the same way Receiver 1 and 2 are difficult - it can be tough to be cautious for so long. It isn't like Elden Ring or Super Meat Boy, where the challenge is in speed, reflexes, and reaction time. The villain, Shodan, has got to be a top-ten video game villain for me and, maybe, a top-twenty villain in fiction. Watching her ego unfold through the game's events is worth the price all by itself. Shock 1 and 2 are the games that gave us audio logs and they still do it better than most others even to this day. You can play newly-acquired logs with a hotkey (no need to dig into a menu) and you can walk around and keep exploring while the audio is playing. On top of that, the script is well-written and leans heavily on the idea of hubris, corporate greed, transhumanism, and good old-fashioned horror. In may ways, System Shock is the old story of Icarus, Jurassic Park, the Tower of Babel, and the dwarves of Khazad-Dum - it is entirely possible for our ambition to outrun our best interests. It is, perhaps, an important lesson to consider in a world that is struggling with the ethics and implications of new technologies. At any rate, play this game if you like old school cyberpunk, survival-horror, and careful deliberate gameplay.

Fun immersive sim Metroidvania like game. Cool suit upgrades and mechanics. Fun maze like level exploring. Game dose not hold your hand. (read notes and listen to audio logs.) Game is not for everyone. I was stumped many times especially on the in-between part with the executive and maintenance level (took me forever to figure out how to re-root the power) Extremely loyal to the original. Graphics look great. Great Art style. Wish System Shock 2 got this treatment. Shooting feels great. Shodan is an amazing villain. It's a game from 1994 but with better Controls, shooting, mechanics while staying as true to the original as possible both for better and worse. Any real Gripes i have is final boss is underwhelming. Wish the games lighting was darker and scarier like the original.

What a hell of a game. Nightdive absolutely cooked with this one. It's one thing to make a remaster, it's another to make one so good the original is now pointless (all respect to the original dev). By god is it hard, and at times hair pullingly frustrating. But the aesthetics, weapons, enemies, story, and setting got me hooked like a crack fiend. Had to boot the game back up and beat it in time for the remaster of 2. THANK YOU NIGHTDIVE! I HOPE YOU GET THE RIGHTS TO 3 FROM TENCENT!

This is a true love letter to the original System Shock, which along with TES: Daggerfall, was my favorite PC gaming experience of the 90's. This Remake is so faithful to the original game that I can still use my original game notes and maps from back when I first played the original at release, yet it feels completely fresh. Also, SHODAN is still as terrifying as ever. Highly recommended for any fan of the original, as well as to any players who appreciate excellent game design and immersive sims (this being the grandfather of the genre.)

The remake of a cult classic where hardcore sci-fi horror meets Resident Evil and tactical shooters. You feel every bullet that misses the target, you load every save. You are lost in the endless maze of a space station and a rogue artificial intelligence wants to kill you! You will get a headache at every step. You need to pay attention to every dialogue. It's 90s AF and it will kick your ass. I love it and hate it at the same time. You will suffer and so will the robots and cyborgs from your weapon collection. Suck it SHODAN! I'll hack your ass! This is what you want, this is what you get... RIGHT?!

Who knew wandering (somewhat) aimlessly through a space station could be so fun! While I wasn't always entirely sure what I needed to do next (or where I was going), exploring Citadel Station was always enjoyable. System Shock does a stellar job with how it immerses you into the story and world. I am a sucker for audio logs, and this game is full of them. Shodan is a GOATED antagonist; she's a classic for reason, and here I was always interested in what she had to say and how she would react as the game progressed. Visually, the game is quite nice; I love the work Nightdive Studios does. The gameplay here was simple yet refined and I never found it boring with shooting feeling impactful and satisfying. Even if I was using the pistol, I never thought that it was a bad time. Melee definitely fell off up until you find the laser rapier which I personally fell in love with. The only thing I really was not a fan of during my playthrough were the Cyberspace sections as I felt they were boring, simple, and disorienting. If you're a fan of not having your hand held and having to actively engage in the game while you're playing, System Shock is the game for you.

I am torn on this remake. It was clearly made with a lot of love for the original and is genuinely a great game, but there are quite a few flaws. The big one is the game requires some ini tweaks for enemies and textures to stop popping in. The other concern is the performance in some areas is atrocious, even on decent systems. Overall I would recommend it, but the above issues along with some conveyance issues that were present in the original game make it a bit dissapointing.

Feels amazing to play and seems to be super faithful to the original, The vibe of the whole game is immaculate!

When you sit down to play this, try to place yourself in 1994 and remember that the concepts of environmental storytelling, audio and text logs to tell a narrative wasn't mainstream. Beyond the intro you won't find cutscenes telling the story; the game gives you the freedom and agency to explore and discover its secrets all on your own terms. This game is also *quite difficult* and will not hold your hand. the game only pauses at its pause menu; perusing your inventory, map or journal doesn't stop the action. It's cyberpunk. It's horror. It's a fantastically updated retelling of the fantastic story that inspired a whole litany of games for years to come. Aesthetically, this is absolute, most brilliant way to evoke the memories and feelings of the original System Shock while still retaining its identity and soul. Good art direction will always triumph over the chase of photorealism that ends up all looking like a homogeneous muddy wash of vaseline over the camera that are most remasters these days. One of my favorite things is that Nightdive retained the difficulty sliders per game aspect (combat, puzzle, cyberpsace, and mission) from the original though I will say that unfortunately the difficulty cannot be changed after starting a new attempt. I never got very far in the original, but being a fan of the Shock games and with strong familiarity of Immersive Sims in general, I am beyond pleased at how this turned out. 100% this is my GOTY for 2023. If you have enjoyed Bioshock 1, Dishonored, Prey, or Thief, you owe it to yourself to give this a shot.

I understand the original's importance within gaming and why it's as highly regarded as it is. I respect it heavily. That said, this actually plays like a videogame.

This game is insanely good! It requires a lot of exploring and analyzing though, which I loved but might not be for everyone Ran into the usual Unreal engine issues but can't blame the devs for that

A game that doesn't hold your hand. Refreshing and complex, progress is in the details.

l like system shock. and here's why. they put you in a giant space station. and you must problem solve to get to the next level. well this game is difficult. the spy can difficulty make some more awarding

It's one of the best remakes on the market. The final boss changes were a bit odd, but not in a bad way. It's a 10/10 for me. Nightdive just don't miss.

This game is very much in line with the spirit of the original game (98), with all the visual improvements of modern games. No unnecessary additions: you have to find your way, note elements on the map (including codes). Beautifully made, fully functional under Linux (via Proton), without blocking bugs. It's a nice surprise, bravo to the studio.

It's a really beautiful tribute to the original game. Please watch out for the System Shock 2 remaster coming out in a week - it should be even better. Playing SS1 is like walking into a genius' personal office - you feel completely bedazzled and overwhelmed by how much is going on, but you're also impressed. It's a meaningful and beautiful tribute to gaming, especially in the present age, when everyone's attention span is lacking. Thank you for making this.

Good remake that's very faithful. Only downsides are the confusing and bit tedious cyberspace levels, and the Shodan 'boss' level. I don't know why you would restrict saving to before an unskippable 'cutscene'. Level designs can be confusing, but i can't fault it too much since it's very faithful to the original.

This is how a remake should be done! It is so true to the original that I was immediately reminded how much harder games were back then and how much you are on your own. There is no path or objective markers to follow in this game. You have to think for yourself and do detective work to find out where to go and what to do. I had to use a walkthrough twice. Something that hasn't been necessary for any game in the last 20 years for me. Its a tough game, but extremely well made and fun!

What a great remake. It does feel old with a modern twist. What I like about is is the feel of the game. It is a classic shooter with a good selection of weapons and tough decisions to make as your storage is limited, healing is limited and ammo is also a management thing. It was a tough game as when you make mistakes you can really feel the stress of I could have done it better and some parts require several respawns to complete. At the end it is a satisfying experience with that boomer shooter feel, less systems to help heal etc and a good story.

I played OG and never finished it. However I remember it as one of the best games I've ever played. It's a specific kind of survival horror in SF / cyperpunk settings. It has elements of both FPS and RPG. There's a lot of resource management, lot of different weapons that can be modded, lots of types of ammo and usable stuff. Also some interesting puzzles with wires and switches. Also - a cyberspace taken directly from William Gibsons novels. The main story is engaging. Also - figuring out how to defeat Shodan is pretty challenging for the first time. Also, each time revisiting the game after a while ;) BTW, the main story reminds me "Neuromancer" by William Gibson. If you're a fan, you will love this game. What is the new System Shock? JUST FUGING AWESOME!!! The game is ALL the OG but made with stunning, mind blowing graphics that runs with over 120 FPS on my old PC, using RTX like crazy. Just everything about the game is absolutely the best! UI that was clunky in the OG is improved to be very intuitive and I get used to it in a minute of playing. Did I mention graphics? I'm in shock and awe for beautiful models of just everything in the game world, especially cyborgs. Sound design is the best. Guns are loud, explosions are even louder. Just as I like. Puzzles are much better than in OG. Fun. The combat mechanics is awesome. Everything in this game just click perfectly. Now the weird part. I haven't played this game for a while, like over a year. I replay it and I see - I'm not sure if my memory is failing me, but the game looks COMPLETELY DIFFERENTLY from what I first played. Is the graphics remade AGAIN? To be even more AWESOME?! My mind is blown. Also with lighting and colors, and all that ray tracing stuff. I still can't believe how can it run without stuttering in 2K? This is an example how game should be made! Look, other game studios - THIS! This is how a modern game can run. It doesn't need to have a PC with a price of a new car! And NO BUGS / GLITCHES can be actually pretty normal! OK, now the gameplay for a person younger than me could be challenging, however, there is an option to make it a bit easier. I like it hard ;) However, I probably find medium combat settings a bit too harsh considering like I'm constantly out of ammo for all weapons. It's worth noting that the headshots play important role in the combat system. So well aimed shots save ammo. Also different types of ammo work on different types of enemies. EMP grenades disable robots temorarily, but they need to be destroyed with conventional weapons. There's a single thing I dislike about the game, and it is taken from the OG: it's how the most annoying types of robots respawn all the time in places I need to revisit a couple of times. It would be OK if they left ammo after being killed (sometimes they do, but it happens rarely), but one revisit in a hopper infested area and I'm out of everything. And I know robot production can be disabled on research deck, but it doesn't work on others. Or maybe I haven't found how to do it yet. Also, you need to write some things down (numbers, codes), because they are not stored in the game notes. You just see them on screens in the game. I thought I would remember, then I had to back up 3 levels and go across all maps to read the code again. But if you take notes, that it's not a problem.

I had lots of fun playing this game. Can't say anything about the "remake" part, didn't play original. Tough there were several places where I couldn't figure out stuff by myself. Also journal with tasks (bullet points or smth) or at least a tab with voice messages from SHODAN and other still alive characters wpuld be nice.

-The atmosphere and style are amazing! -Puzzles are a bit hard but rewarding. -Most rooms have loot or something interesting, so the game has no unnecessary filler. -The shooter aspect is not that good since the AI is really simple and you can just find cover and wait until the enemy stops attacking. So it's more about finding different ways of defeating them, whether it be with a gun, one of the many different grenades, or a melee attack with a mix of temporary boosters This game is all about letting you figure your next steps through reading logs and audios you find throughout the map. It's not crazy hard but you do have to be paying attention to most of them or else you might be stuck, very similar to Prey. If you like those kinds of games then give it a try if its on sale!

If you like a full remake of the amazing game from 1994 this game rocks with only improvements but keeps original map and everything else.

Cool game and stylish, but frustrating to play. (Played on Hard) My biggest gripe: terrible gunplay. Nades throw arcs are trash. A.I. have hitscan so peeking/cover is almost pointless as most fights become a trade resulting in the difficulty stemming from always being low on health and getting punished by how the game places enemies on top of you constantly. It definitely feels like a relentless Machine is hunting me as I play this game; however low lighting and muddy textures make it feel like I am playing tarkov when I suddenly die and have no idea what killed me.

Loved this game! Warning: It does not hold your hand, you will need to take notes if you want to know what is going on, what your objectives are and what the codes for doors are supposed to be!

immersive sims are great, today theres so many games in the genre that there will probably be no shortage for the next 10 years with how replayable they all are, but what about the original immersive sim? the one to start it all spoiler alert: it holds up very well especially considering its more than 30 years old christ this is such a great remake, really faithful and well put together, its biggest downfalls are the downfalls of the original being dated, but even then its still very accessible game for many to play by all means go play it, please ((Still not better than Prey 2017))

I never played the original and the remake never seemed to hold my hand. This game is as much of a deduction, discovery game as it is a first person shooter. It starts out a bit bewildering as you emerge from unconsciousness on the ship and have to piece together the clues of what this AI "SHODAN" is all about. It is a great experience, at times frustrating due to the challenge of enemies, scarcity of ammo etc. But if you are willing to play patiently it provides an experience unlike most other games. I definitely recommend.

Very good game, did not play the original, but after playing on 3233, i can say that I enjoyed the challenge of figuring everything out.

Meh. There's a lot of work put into this remake, but I kind of hate the creative direction Nightdive took it into. Gone is the clown-vomit color scheme and the toe-tapping music. It's taken away the cyberpunk undertones in favor of the Cronenberg body horror of the sequel. I get it: the sequel is more popular, System Shock 3 is theoretically going to come out eventually, and they want to unify everything. But that's just not System Shock to me. The gameplay is basically unchanged, but that's the WORST part of SS1 in my opinion. I wish they trimmed down the maps a bit and made the areas a bit more unique, but no. That's basically the same. This is the exact opposite of what I wanted from this remake. Should you play this over the Enhanced Edition original? If you want a survival horror game, go ahead and pick this up. If you, like me, want cyberpunk Ultima Underworld, stick with the Enhanced Edition.

System Shock — главная игра моего 2023 года. После прохождения я переосмыслил весь свой игровой опыт. Атмосфера и иммерсивность — на высшем уровне: ты будто действительно на заброшенной станции с SHODAN. Уникальный визуальный стиль — ретро-футуризм с кислотной палитрой — создаёт тревожную ностальгию. История разработки вдохновляет: ремейк ждали годами, и он оправдал ожидания. Музыка -- 🫦. Стиль.

Amazing. I never got a chance to play the original but this has been a good mix of retro and modern. Amazing how well the overall game design holds up with modern controls and improved graphics.

This is truly a gem of a game. As someone who played the original when it came out this game captures the essence of the original very well. Some aspects are modernized and updated, some are not, and that balance is what keeps the game with one foot in the past and one in the present. Something that can be hard to get correct. The devs have done a commendable job here and I think its worth a play for fans of this genre.

I had such an incredibly great time playing this game. The highest difficulty introduces a time limit to beat the game, which only helps to sell the sense of urgency and tension the game is trying to portray.

An absolutely incredible and extremely faithful remake of the original game.

A great tribute to the original, great gameplay and using the voice actor was such a good choice

I've always wanted to play the original, but the ui and controls looked so horrible. Glad Nightdive remade this. Highly recommended.

I don't leave many reviews, if at all and honestly I think this remake is amazing I always wanted to play the System Shock Series but was hesitant because of the age and I think they did a phenomenal job. But what really gets me is how fucking based it is that they gave us the sequel for FREE they didn't have to do that at all. While it's not a remake (which I would still pay money for) It *is* a remastered and updated version of the 2nd game. That’s just the cherry on top for me personally. We need more devs like this, thanks Nightdive!

It's a good time. A fun sci-fi dungeon crawler that poses you as a rat trying to escape a maze that wants you dead.

Nightdive does it again, folks! Probably their finest work, if I'm being honest.

It is an incredibly atmospheric Game. Well deserves the positive reception!

An absolutely stellar remaster and upgrade of the original. The art design is incredible through out and shows some inspired updates to the original sprites. The audio is amazing through out, peaking of course, with SHODAN and her glitchy malice. The environments can be quite confusing, but if you discover a certain email you'll realise that it's MEANT to be! You do learn your way around but sometimes it can feel a bit directionless unless you're paying very close attention to the logs, emails and messages you receive (that's where you objectives are!) Highly recommended and a gold standard for what a remake can be.

This isn't really a remake, it's basically just a remaster. Apparently the people who funded it on kickstarter demanded that almost everything remain the same as the original, so the story is boring and shoved into notes and audio logs, the level design is god-awful and the gameplay is either far too easy or basically impossible without using exploits and not playing the way you're meant to. Really disappointed.

You might enjoy it if you like backracking through lookalike areas while being punched and shot at by respawning powerful enemies, all while having extremely limited resourses, even on Normal. Otherwise it's a chore of a game. There is a good atmosphere at first, a pretty aesthetic and a fun recycling mechanic, though given the limited resourses (even at the vending machines) you frantically run around with hundrends of cash with nothing to spend on. The very first level is practically impossible to beat on your own, since you have to essentially 100% collectibles (shoot all the obscured cameras) in the area, and get stuck on the last 20% with fully open map and no idea how to procceed. Baffling and exhausting game design, in my opinion, which made playing feel like I'm doing a crappy job.

The game shows its age. The gameplay is very lackluster with repetitive corridors and dumb AI and very little variety.

There is just too much backtracking and time wasted. The atmosphere and immersion are great, but prepare to waste time.

The textures are so busy its difficult to even understand what I'm looking at half the time. The environments throughout the map are so generic they feel almost procedurally generated in areas. People were supposed to be living and working on this space station prior to the events of the game, but what little information is available about them seems to have been an afterthought. The game is also not frightening and my initial assumption was that it was supposed to be a horror. It feels very empty overall. Atmospherically this is not a success. Enemies are poorly programmed and most fights are won by shooting a couple times then hiding behind a corner until they stop shooting. Though it seems most people play this primarily with the mele weapons and I did not so that may be more enjoyable but I don't feel its worth playing this a second time to find out. Puzzles are very easy and most of them you don't even have to solve because theres an item that will skip them for you. The most difficult parts of the game are remembering where a generic looking room is on your map and listening to elevator music 300 times. There are a handful of really interesting ideas like the Cortex Reaver and the customizable UI that I wish I saw more of. Unfortunately this doesn't feel like a finished game. I haven't played the original system shock but I assume it has more to offer

If you are a low skill player like me, this game may not be for you. My sticking point is at the cyberspace terminal. If you die before you can complete this part, you cannot progress in the story. Practice does not necessarily make perfect. The more I tried at the cyberspace terminal, the worse I performed. By all means buy this game when it is on sale at a steep discount, this is otherwise a good first person shooter game. I am currently stuck at the executive level, unable to unlock the beta grove elevator. I bought this game after I finished the demo. The main game is actually much harder. Maybe I should replay the game at the easy difficulty, rather than at the medium difficulty where I am right now.

listen, I get that it's a remake of an older game, but I'm pretty sure 36 fucking whatever enemies in cyberspace, half of which have shields, and the others just charging you straight down, in the SMALLEST FUCKING SPACE KNOWN TO MAN, wasn't even possible when System Shock first released. if Looking Glass saw this shit, they'd probably roll their eyes, what a fucking joke. I want my money back.