System Shock Review — A Remake You Shouldn’t Miss

2023 has already been a blockbuster year for gaming — so much so, that some games are going to end up slipping under the under, but System Shock, a remake of the 1994 sci-fi classic, is one you should definitely take note of.

And that’s because this modern reinvigoration of the first-person horror-action game (that essentially inspired the Bioshock series) is one crafted with love and care, and brings that creepy AI and robot-infested setting to a modern environment in the best way possible, with an interesting retro-pixel but modern art style (you have to see it to understand). It’s a remake that will appease longtime fans who played the original, while also feeling like a fresh game that belongs in 2023 for newcomers to the franchise.

In System Shock, you take on the role of a resourceful hacker as you explore and survive the terrors of Citadel Station brought on by a rogue AI named SHODAN, who retains the haunting and menacing presence throughout the game and is essentially the star of the show.

In terms of gameplay, Nightdive Studios have done a fantastic job to bring the old-school melee and weapon-based combat to the new era, using a lot of the improvements of modern tech and gameplay mechanics to make the original System Shock gameplay feel even more brutal and impactful. Every swing when striking an android with a wrench or using the railgun on a hulking robot feels punchy and tactile.

The space station itself was almost a character unto itself in the original, and the remake ups the ante with vastly more detailed environments, with vents spouting steam, machines moving on the walls, and some incredible lighting adding some atmosphere to the hallways. Admittedly, it is relatively tricky to sometimes navigate your way around the level to find out where to go next, but that feeling of claustrophobia and labyrinth-navigating seems intentional.

It is fair to note that System Shock does provide quite the challenge, and enemies will put up a decent fight, requiring you to react fast and use your weapons and tools to your advantage in order to overcome them. But, if you’re a lover of the old-school approach to games, with medkits and combat problem-solving rather than regenerating health and hand-holding, System Shock is a breath of fresh air.

System Shock is available on PC.