System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster

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Accolades About the Game System Shock® 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster by Nightdive Studios brings to you the modernized remaster of the FPS/RPG classic, featuring Cross-Play Co-Op multiplayer, Mod Support and more. It’s the year 2114 and as you awake from cryo sleep on the FTL ship Von Braun, you are unable to remember who or where you are… and something has gone terribly wrong. Hybrid mut…

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89%

Audience ScoreBased on 852 reviews

graphics40 positive mentions

stability18 negative mentions

The remaster features improved graphics, animations, and sound, making the classic game feel fresh while preserving its original charm.
Multiplayer functionality has been enhanced, allowing for a more enjoyable co-op experience, although some bugs remain.
The game retains its engaging atmosphere and storytelling, with quality of life improvements that make it more accessible to new players.

The multiplayer mode is currently plagued with bugs, including issues with saving and invincible enemies, which detracts from the overall experience.
Some players have reported performance issues, such as low frame rates and crashes, particularly in co-op mode.
While the remaster offers some enhancements, many feel it doesn't justify the price compared to the original game with mods.

graphics
132 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
68%
2%
The remastered graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising the subtle yet effective updates that enhance the original's charm without overshadowing it. While some players appreciate the cleaner visuals and modern quality-of-life improvements, others feel the graphics still appear dated compared to contemporary titles. Overall, the remaster successfully balances nostalgia with modern enhancements, making it a worthwhile experience for both new players and fans of the original.
- “The high resolution characters and environments look great and bring the visuals to a nice mix of nostalgia and modern legibility.”
- “What Nightdive has done with System Shock 2’s remaster has not reinvented Looking Glass’ 1999 masterpiece, but instead polished it to a mirror sheen — implementing quality of life improvements and a new coat of paint which remains faithful to the original’s art style.”
- “The graphical uplift is subtle and respectful — higher-poly models, tasteful shaders, ambient occlusion, and fully remade cutscenes that preserve the iconic look without overwriting it.”
- “Even with the remastered graphics, the game looks extremely dated compared to modern games.”
- “While a great remaster and an overall improvement over the original game, is it really worth paying an extra $25 for someone new to the game, just for some graphical enhancements and a middling attempt to reduce the jankiness of the movement/mantling?”
- “I would wait for a sale, since this remaster barely touches the game's graphics, and you could just get the original and use mods to the same effect.”
gameplay
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
67%
4%
The gameplay of the remastered title remains largely faithful to the original, with many players appreciating its enduring quality and immersive mechanics, such as resource management and RPG elements. While some critics desired more significant updates or changes, the overall experience is described as smooth and enjoyable, with modern enhancements that do not compromise the core gameplay. However, issues like a broken saving mechanic in multiplayer and a linear main objective have been noted, suggesting room for improvement.
- “Making up for this, however, is the fact that System Shock 2 is just phenomenally good and that its gameplay and even visual style aged very well.”
- “The new graphics are fitting, the gameplay is as fun as ever, and I have to salute Nightdive for once again releasing a great remaster.”
- “Gameplay is a crucible, refining your meager skills through resource scarcity and strategic choice.”
- “The reason I haven't reached far into the multiplayer yet... drum roll... because the saving mechanic in multiplayer is broken.”
- “I know to a lot of people the remake is good and worth playing, but it did lose the charm and gameplay the original had that turned some players away.”
- “A number of people have criticized this release for not being more bold in its changes, preferring a remake that would fundamentally alter the game and bestow contemporary standards for kinematics and mechanics.”
story
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
64%
6%
The story of System Shock 2 is highly praised for its immersive atmosphere and intricate world-building, primarily conveyed through found audio logs that enhance player engagement. While some reviewers note that the storytelling may feel dated and lacks modern guidance, the narrative remains compelling, exploring themes of resistance against a superior intelligence. Overall, the remaster has been credited with enhancing the original story, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of immersive sims and sci-fi RPGs.
- “The story weaves her will through your actions, forcing you to confront the futility of resistance against a superior intelligence.”
- “Going toe-to-toe with the many and Shodan, unraveling the story, and experiencing the perils of the Von Braun are not to be missed for any fans of immersive sims, sci-fi RPGs, and classic PC games.”
- “The atmosphere and storytelling in this game are both top notch too.”
- “Is it still dated in terms of storytelling without guidance and some not really good objectives?”
- “I recommend this game with the following caveats: this is not a game for those who don't want to read logs and who cannot think for themselves; there are no quest markers in this game.”
- “It might have a messier story than System Shock 1 and it doesn't have the refinements of BioShock, but System Shock 2 really has its own unique vibe of space spookiness, RPG systems, techno music, and whacking monkeys with wrenches.”
atmosphere
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
31%
8%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its tense, immersive quality, effectively blending horror and exploration elements that enhance the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke psychological pressure through its sound design, lighting, and environmental storytelling, making it a standout in its genre. Despite some modern updates, the remaster retains the original's eerie ambiance, ensuring that players feel both challenged and engrossed throughout their journey.
- “The atmosphere and storytelling in this game are both top notch too.”
- “It's a true testament to both Nightdive and the original creators that a game this old can be so engrossing and atmospheric.”
- “The quiet, creepy atmosphere giving way to loud, chaotic battles with zombies and robots, combined with barely functioning equipment and huge maze-like levels that reward exploration, creates a signature almost Metroidvania immersive sim gameplay.”
- “The hybrid enemies, twisted by the many, challenge your adaptability, while the oppressive atmosphere of the Von Braun’s corridors mirrors the weight of her gaze.”
- “The combination of psychological pressure, scarce resources, unsettling enemies, and a thoroughly oppressive atmosphere made it the scariest title I had encountered up to that point.”
music
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
62%
13%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its immersive ambience and iconic tracks, while others find certain elements, like the loud Skrillex music, disruptive and overbearing. The soundtrack is noted for its unique blend of electro/synth and horror vibes, contributing to the game's atmosphere, though inconsistencies in music playback in specific areas have been mentioned. Overall, while the music enhances the experience for many, it can also detract from immersion at times.
- “The soundtrack, sparse yet deliberate, underscores the futility of your struggle against her.”
- “The only part of my childhood that I don't consistently repress is the part where I'm being chased by hybrids through the cooling tubes in engineering, with my nearly broken shotgun in my hand, running out of ammo, while I'm slowly being radiated and the soundtrack by Eric Brosius, Josh Randall, and Ramin Djawadi is playing in the background.”
- “Worst of all - every time you're getting vital information, there's either loud Skrillex music playing or a very annoying enemy wanting to chat with you.”
- “The soundtrack can be overbearing compared to the sparsity of the original, but it has some great tunes too.”
- “Going in, I thought this was going to be a bit more on the horror side, and I guess you could say it is, but with the electro/synth music playing on certain levels, I was getting two different vibes from it.”
stability
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
8%
75%
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting significant bugs, long loading times, and game-breaking glitches, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay without issues, the overall consensus suggests that the game is currently in an unstable state, prompting recommendations to avoid it until future patches improve its performance.
- “Absolutely no glitches in my 6.4 hour playthrough.”
- “First off, on Steam Deck OLED, this runs great and is even playable with the built-in controls.”
- “It runs great, looks sharp, and is an all-time classic.”
- “Games is currently buggy as hell and can no longer play since it takes 20+ minutes to load a bunker hatch or elevator. Every patch breaks the game more. Avoid for a few months until the game is stable or waste your money.”
- “But it is a buggy mess in multiplayer despite this remaster being made with multiplayer in mind.”
- “Game loads super slow then freezes; couldn't get past training.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with players finding moments of hilarity in absurd situations, such as encountering invincible enemies and unexpected game mechanics. While some aspects are amusing and nostalgic, the frequent presence of unkillable foes can quickly shift from funny to frustrating, detracting from the overall experience. Ultimately, the humor resonates differently with players, often tied to personal memories and the game's quirky design choices.
- “Shodan is still the best, and the ending is both awful and hilarious.”
- “Games are funny like that; you may not see it the same way I did at the age of 10, but we all have those titles and memories we cherish, and this is one of mine.”
- “Friend decides to do the funny and pull an airlock lever, teleporting us back to the start.”
optimization
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
The remaster offers improved performance on modern hardware and optimized multiplayer, though some users report issues with the Vulkan renderer, including graphical glitches and a bug affecting enemy invincibility. Overall, the game runs smoothly with minimal jank, enhancing the experience of this influential title.
- “Runs smoothly, with minimal jank.”
- “Remastered and optimized version of one of the most influential games ever and made to be even better than the original edition.”
- “-better performance with modern hardware.”
- “This positive review is mainly for people experiencing graphical glitching, screen jitters, performance issues, or issues with VSync not working.”
- “Optimized multiplayer (although many are pointing out a bug with it currently about invincible enemies).”
- “Remastered and optimized version of one of the most influential games ever, made to be even better than the original edition.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
Players highlight the exceptional replayability of the game, attributing it to the diverse and enjoyable abilities and weapons available in the skill tree. Many reviewers note that it offers significantly more content and replay value compared to both its predecessor and other recent titles, making it a worthwhile investment. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging mechanics that encourage multiple playthroughs.
- “The abilities and weapons available to you in the skill tree are all fun and make this incredibly replayable.”
- “Amazing replay value.”
- “Much, much more replayable than System Shock 1, even than Nightdive's remake.”
- “There are brand new games for $30 that have less content and replayability than SS2, so again, I think it's worth the money. If you're unsure, then there's always the classic version that you can give a shot and pick this up later on.”
- “Much, much more replayable than System Shock 1, even more than Nightdive's remake.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews on monetization are mixed, with some users labeling the game as a "cash grab," particularly due to its bundling with another title, while others argue that it represents a thoughtful re-release of a classic. Overall, the perception of monetization varies significantly among players, with strong feelings about its value and fairness.
- “What a cash grab.”
- “Unfortunately, I can't refund this cash grab because it was bundled with the System Shock remake two years ago and I have too many hours on that other game.”
- “What a cash grab.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players report a deeply emotional experience, with some expressing that the game moved them to tears upon their first playthrough. This strong emotional impact highlights the game's ability to resonate with players on a personal level.
- “I cried the first time I booted the game.”