System Shock

About

"System Shock is a first-person remake of the 1994 classic, featuring a battle against the psychotic AI, SHODAN, who has taken over Citadel Station and plans to do the same to Earth. Explore the space station, combat mutants and cyborgs to stop SHODAN, and save humanity. Experience improved visuals, controls, and interface in this thrilling survival adventure."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

+13

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 8,160 reviews

graphics534 positive mentions

grinding205 negative mentions

Faithful remake that captures the essence of the original while modernizing graphics and controls.
Challenging gameplay that encourages exploration and critical thinking, with no hand-holding.
Immersive atmosphere with a compelling story and memorable antagonist, SHODAN.

Maze-like level design can be confusing and lead to excessive backtracking.
Cyberspace sections are tedious and disrupt the flow of gameplay.
Final boss fight is anticlimactic and frustrating, lacking proper checkpoints.

graphics
1,487 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
61%
3%
The graphics of the "System Shock" remake have received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many praising the unique blend of retro pixelation and modern visual fidelity. Players appreciate the atmospheric lighting and detailed environments that evoke nostalgia while enhancing the original's aesthetic. However, some critiques highlight issues with clarity and the potential for visual clutter, which can make navigation challenging. Overall, the graphics successfully modernize the classic while maintaining its iconic style, appealing to both new players and fans of the original.
- “The graphics are a charming mix of modern and retro, with great lighting effects and retro textures in clean HD.”
- “The updated graphics breathe new life into the iconic environments and characters, while maintaining the retro-futuristic aesthetic that defined the original game.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and smooth, even on my older Linux setup, and the soundtrack is amazing.”
- “Really wanted to play this but I can't because the movements are jittery (even with adjusted graphics and motion blur turned off), and it makes me 'sea-sick,' and gives me a headache to boot.”
- “The graphics feel... weird.”
- “The graphics are not good for 2023; you may say, but it sure fits the atmosphere so damn well.”
story
1,404 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
73%
4%
The story of the System Shock remake is primarily conveyed through audio logs and environmental storytelling, immersing players in a narrative centered around the rogue AI, Shodan, and the chaos it unleashes on a space station. While some players appreciate the lack of hand-holding and the challenge of piecing together the plot without quest markers or logs, others find this approach frustrating, leading to confusion and backtracking. Overall, the story is considered engaging and atmospheric, though it may feel simplistic compared to modern narratives, and the absence of clear objectives can detract from the experience for some players.
- “The story is compelling and the method in which it is told has been made almost a standard for story-driven isolated experiences ever since.”
- “The narrative, centered around the rogue AI Shodan, is filled with twists and turns, making you eager to see how the story unfolds.”
- “The story and atmosphere are top-notch, making the game a must-play for fans of the genre.”
- “The story isn't that interesting either.”
- “You can find audio logs and journals, but all they do is give hints on how to get upgrades or door codes; there's no lore or deeper backstory, it's a generic sci-fi story about an AI that wants to kill humanity.”
- “The story and characters are underwhelming, barely having any impact and just feeling like another generic sci-fi horror story with a spooky AI that wants to kill all humans, something I've seen so many times I'm convinced there isn't an original spin to be put on the idea anymore.”
gameplay
1,374 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
68%
6%
The gameplay of the System Shock remake has been described as a blend of classic mechanics and modern enhancements, maintaining the original's challenging exploration and puzzle-solving while updating controls and visuals for a contemporary audience. Players appreciate the immersive atmosphere and the freedom to approach challenges in various ways, though some criticize the recycling mechanic and inventory management as tedious. Overall, the game offers a nostalgic yet refined experience, appealing to both fans of the original and newcomers to the genre.
- “Once you get the hang of the mechanics, you'll enjoy one of the most tense, fascinating, and memorable experiences, and you'll end up wanting more.”
- “The remake brings much-needed quality-of-life and gameplay improvements while still keeping that original touch.”
- “The gameplay remains challenging yet rewarding, with a perfect blend of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving.”
- “There's no easy way to track objectives beyond going into the media section of your HUD and re-reading all of the logs found during exploration, and the game isn't afraid of punishing you if you don't care to understand the basic mechanics.”
- “Unfortunately, the mechanics are very stripped down (you walk and you shoot. That is all.) and the enemies you are engaging in the finale are all flying enemies from the cyberspace segments while all of your weapons are slow projectile-based affairs.”
- “The gameplay loop is repetitive (no matter what nostalgic people say) but it is tense and satisfying.”
music
824 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
66%
6%
The music in the System Shock remake has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a significant departure from the original's iconic soundtrack. While some appreciate the new ambient and atmospheric compositions that enhance the game's horror elements, others lament the lack of memorable tracks and the subdued nature of the music, which often fails to play during exploration. Overall, while the new score is seen as fitting for the game's tone, many fans express a desire for the option to toggle the original soundtrack, which they feel better captured the essence of the game.
- “The music is an absolute masterpiece in immersion and emotional response; no other OST in my life has gotten so stuck in my head for no reason. Sometimes when I wake up, I still hear that endless loop in medical, that sensation of loneliness and that something has gone horribly wrong is just unforgettable.”
- “The soundtrack is a banger, flipping between haunting ambiance to classic System Shock electro music in combat.”
- “The atmosphere is wonderfully terrifying: music, textures, audio logs, etc... had to shut it off once, for I got too freaked out when a bunch of mutants were chasing me.”
- “The only downside for me was the absence of the old soundtrack.”
- “The music is a huge downgrade from the original game's very unusual but very catchy music.”
- “The soundtrack is very disappointing for what it could have been.”
atmosphere
687 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
39%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, effectively capturing the essence of the original while enhancing it with modern graphics and sound design. Players appreciate the tension and sense of dread that permeate the environment, with many noting the successful blend of retro aesthetics and atmospheric storytelling. Despite some criticisms regarding specific gameplay elements, the overall consensus is that the game's atmosphere is a standout feature, making it a compelling experience for fans of sci-fi horror and immersive sims.
- “The atmosphere alone is enough to warrant a playthrough.”
- “After finally completing my first playthrough, I can tell you with confidence, this is one of the most immersive, unique, and actually thrilling games I've played. The atmosphere of Citadel Station sneaks under your skin; you are always alert, you are in the belly of the beast and it's dark, cold, and cruel in there.”
- “The developers have painstakingly recreated the immense and oppressive atmosphere of the original, ensuring that every flickering light and distant sound adds to the sense of isolation and impending danger.”
- “The game wants to have a 'alone in space, stuck with mutant zombies' atmosphere but it doesn't really work.”
- “All of those little details also make sounds, creating a thick and oppressive atmosphere very similar to Alien: Isolation, something that I absolutely loved.”
- “The atmosphere is oppressing and it's really challenging to progress through the station.”
optimization
229 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
45%
17%
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players praising its overall performance and smooth gameplay, particularly on lower-end systems. However, some users reported issues such as stuttering during level transitions, occasional crashes, and inconsistent frame rates, especially in specific areas. While the game generally runs well and is considered well-optimized for its visual fidelity, there are still notable performance hiccups that can disrupt the experience.
- “The use of Unreal Engine and great optimization make this game a smooth-running experience.”
- “This faithful and loving recreation of a near 30-year-old game is visually stunning, extremely well optimized (the game is only 8GB in total), and more than worth the money.”
- “Nightdive did an amazing job releasing a game that's optimized - rare in 2023 - and keeps the spirit of the original alive.”
- “Very disappointing remake, the game has stuttering when traversing the world, breaking immersion, and so many immersion-breaking bugs such as broken animations.”
- “Game has performance issues (1440p with a 4080, 7800x3d), typical Unreal Engine jank, load stutters, and awful CPU spikes.”
- “Well, the performance of this remake is *horribly* optimized.”
grinding
212 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
1%
2%
97%
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for its tediousness, with many players expressing frustration over repetitive combat, cumbersome inventory management, and excessive backtracking. The recycling and scrapping mechanics are particularly noted as time-consuming and unenjoyable, detracting from the overall experience. While some appreciate the nostalgia factor, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game feels outdated and often becomes a slog rather than an engaging challenge.
- “I felt like it wasn't too tedious and actually took a few tries to complete them and they actually made you think.”
- “The new additions such as vending machines and a 'recycle everything not nailed down' economy I enjoyed more than I thought I would have (it's not too grindy), although mutually exclusive upgrades would have been welcome.”
- “Combat felt more annoying and tedious than fun.”
- “It is tedious, boring, and just endless.”
- “The whole experience feels tedious and dated, with constant frustrations such as...”
stability
129 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
2%
64%
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players noting a variety of glitches and bugs, particularly related to achievements, enemy interactions, and UI issues. While some users report a mostly smooth experience with minimal performance issues, others highlight significant bugs that can disrupt gameplay, such as freezing and game-breaking glitches. Overall, the game runs well for many, but it is not fully polished, and players should expect some technical hiccups.
- “The game runs great, I have not noticed a single dip in performance on ultra settings at 4K 120fps.”
- “Overall, the game is really polished, looks good, and runs great.”
- “It runs great, looks great, and is a very fun immersive sim.”
- “You have to do so much backtracking that returning to buggy enemy bodies over and over took me out of the game.”
- “What a buggy bloody mess this is: from returning to your game and finding out that major events you needed to complete are reset and you can no longer progress as you can't interact with them, to not being able to continue the game at all as the game doesn't remember where it saves anything.”
- “It is plagued with bugs, ranging from visual glitches to savegame-breaking issues that halt progress.”
replayability
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
73%
9%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its multiple ways to complete objectives and the engaging gameplay that encourages experimentation, while others criticize the lack of character-building elements and the absence of new game plus modes, which limits replay value. Although it retains some replayability from the original, many feel that the remake's faithfulness to the source material detracts from modern playability and exploration. Overall, while some players find it highly replayable, others note significant limitations that may affect long-term engagement.
- “And of course - there's a lot of ways to beat the game, so it has a pretty big replay value.”
- “The sense of progression and personalization adds depth to the gameplay and encourages players to experiment with different playstyles, enhancing replayability.”
- “Great replayability with its difficulty slider, randomized encounters with Shodan deploying more monstrosities as you clear a level, an amazing villain, and great horrific atmosphere.”
- “This game scratches the same part of my brain that the Metroid Prime series does, and it sucks that a core part of it is just awful and kills a lot of the replay value.”
- “If I have to say something negative about this game, it's that the credits cannot be skipped and its replayability is not that good.”
- “Replayability is limited, as there is no new game plus or other modes, and there also aren't many challenge achievements to pursue.”
humor
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark, twisted comedy and absurd situations, primarily driven by the AI character Shodan, whose menacing yet humorous dialogue adds a unique layer to the gameplay experience. Players find amusement in the game's bugs and glitches, which often lead to unexpected and funny moments, enhancing the overall enjoyment despite the horror elements. The juxtaposition of terrifying scenarios with comedic elements creates a compelling atmosphere that keeps players engaged and entertained.
- “The atmosphere is great, Shodan is mostly terrifying but also hilarious at times, mostly just with the ways she tries to kill you.”
- “It's the perfect recreation of being trapped on a derelict space station run by an AI with a god complex, with an army of cobbled together bots and cyborgs to throw at you just to see how funny your death will be this time.”
- “The only thing that isn't really much of an issue is that the ragdolls for each dead enemy seem to reset when you return to a level later, which is quite hilarious and distracting.”
emotional
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its powerful music and immersive atmosphere, evoking feelings of nostalgia, loneliness, and frustration. Players report a deep emotional connection, with some experiencing tears during gameplay due to its intensity and the weight of certain moments, while others express a mix of joy and frustration stemming from challenging mechanics. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of its predecessor, delivering a heartfelt experience that resonates with both new and returning players.
- “The music is an absolute masterpiece in immersion and emotional response; no other OST in my life has gotten so stuck in my head for no reason. Sometimes when I wake up, I still hear that endless loop in my mind, that sensation of loneliness and that something has gone horribly wrong is just unforgettable.”
- “I haven't finished it because it requires me to have a certain emotional 'readiness' to return to it.”
- “You devs have devoted time and torment to perfecting your respectful reproduction and making it even more emotionally impactful than the original, without damaging anything of the original.”
monetization
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
30%
55%
The monetization aspect of the game is highly praised, with reviewers noting the absence of microtransactions, DLCs, and other common cash grab tactics prevalent in the industry. At a price point of $40, players appreciate the game's respect for its source material and the immersive experience it offers without the burden of additional costs or pay-to-win mechanics. Overall, it is seen as a refreshing alternative to many modern AAA titles that often prioritize monetization over gameplay quality.
- “In that overabundance of big game releases this year, I decided to play this instead of the numerous empty, microtransaction-filled, and somewhat brainless AAA projects... and I'm just glad I did.”
- “It's already one of the best games of the year just due to the fact it's well optimized and has no microtransactions.”
- “Finally, a good game without tons of DLCs, not in early access, without microtransactions, and in working condition on day one.”
- “When I first saw one of the first (if not the first) of Nightdive's remakes, and how it went (and for how long), I had been afraid that this was going to be just another cash grab.”
- “The only thing it's missing, for me, is a $15 a month subscription and in-game purchases.”
- “In the wake of AAA games being absolutely broken cash grabs, this game is a breath of fresh air.”
character development
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
Character development in the game is primarily focused on upgrading items like weapons and cybernetic mods, which some players prefer over traditional RPG mechanics. However, many reviewers feel that the lack of dialogue and missed opportunities for deeper character engagement detracts from the experience. Comparisons to the sequel highlight that while the sequel offers better character development options, the original game excels in other areas such as level design and aesthetics.
- “The level design, character design, music, and voice acting is phenomenal.”
- “I feel that SS2 is the same, but better in many ways (level design, character development).”
- “There were so many opportunities for character development that are missed because the hacker literally says nothing the entire game.”
- “This game has no character development options or classes, unlike the sequel SS2.”
- “I feel SS2 is the same, but better in many ways (level design, character development).”