System Shock (2023) Reviews
System Shock’s presentation is honestly quite great as it retains the look of the original while expanding on its locations and scale. The limited voice acting that is here is good, even if the overall narrative just did nothing for me. While the game is rather difficult, it is easy enough to just save anywhere you want with a fast load time to get back into the action. Nightdive Studios has taken a game that was a beloved classic and retooled it to work within a lot of modern sensibilities, even if it does still maintain a certain look and feel.
Nightdive Studios’ System Shock remake revitalises the 30-year-old game with modern upgrades alongside design choices that give a hefty sense of retro, 90s-style gameplay. While some of these design choices could have been left in the history books, the game respects the OG title in this great remake.
A true 90s classic has been brought back to life by Nightdive Studios in amazingly difficult precision. Although released last year on PC, console players now have access to this intricate revival. Whilst definitely not a game for everyone, System Shock fully deserves this remake treatment despite its 30 year old flaws. The satisfaction of figuring out the demanding puzzles and punishing boss battles are reminiscent of a Soulsborne game, making the trek through this hazardous space station more than worthwhile.
System Shock is an excellent example of a remake done right.
It's said that the anticipation of pleasure is itself pleasure, but after playing System Shock Remake, I'm thrilled to have finally enjoyed the original title developed by Spector and Looking Glass. The game appears in top form even on consoles, as if the 30 years it carries were just a fleeting moment, with design and gameplay aging beautifully. Engaging, long-lasting, and incredibly fun, System Shock Remake is a must-have for immersive sim lovers and those seeking a timeless adventure. The transition from PC to console made some aspects slightly clunkier, but if that's the price to pay to challenge SHODAN again, who are we to complain?
Review in Italian | Read full review
System Shock of 2023 pulls no punches and remains every bit old-school as it was back in the day, albeit with some quality of life improvements. With gameplay that has aged like fine wine and an imposing villain in the face of SHODAN, this iteration of System Shock is the optimal way to experience the father of immersive sims in the present day.
Nightdive Studios has done a really good job of recreating most of the elements of the iconic System Shock with modern standards, especially the game's user interface -- made more streamlined and appealing -- and the graphical rendering. Although the artificial intelligence does not convince - the combat system entertains just the same - and will push you to test new ways to deal with the varied threats of the space station “The Citadel.” Whether or not you have experienced the experience created by LookingGlass Technologies we guarantee that the remake is absolutely worth playing!
Review in Italian | Read full review
System Shock was and still is a seminal video game. The remake of Nightdive does perfect justice to this classic immersive sim that created an entire genre, with a splendid graphical compartment and some insights that modernise the whole thing. At the same time, it should be pointed out that having proposed an almost 1:1 remake brought back some of the flaws of the original, and prevented the entire system from being modernised.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Despite a few shortcomings, System Shock still remains an engaging game. It might not click immediately, but if you allow yourself to match its flow you’ll come away feeling satisfied. Aspects of System Shock that were ground-breaking back in 1994 feel primitive now, such as emergent gameplay or reliance on audio logs, but this remake gives a long-overdue polish to one of gaming's most revered titles. Its respect of the original material combined with an impressive visual refurbishment will undoubtedly delight core fans, but new players might need a bit of perseverance. If you can look past the awkward combat you’ll be rewarded with a unique experience, one that never insults a player’s intelligence. Both challenging and intriguing, System Shock is still deserving of its legacy and, in remade form, it’ll live on that little bit longer.
System Shock has been lovingly restored in this authentic remake. The game impresses through its environmental storytelling, challenging gameplay, great presentation, and stable PS5 performance. Nonetheless, the game suffers from outdated gameplay mechanics, stiff controls, awkward UI, and an unbalanced difficulty. These limitations are mostly a by-product of staying faithful to the original game.
Despite feeling somewhat antiquated in some aspects and having systems I didn't particularly enjoy, the game's fusion of past and future elements makes it an experience that can be truly appreciated by those willing to embrace it for what it is.
The System Shock remake is exceptionally well built featuring bright and beautiful retro-style graphics, lots of welcome game optimizations and redesigned controls to support the PS5 gamepad. The immersive world-building drew me in, but it was the high-stakes combat and deep exploration that kept me hooked over the game's surprisingly long 20+ hours.
System Shock remake is a fantastic success in bringing a beloved cult classic to todays standards. Nightdive clearly put a lot of love and effort into making sure this felt new, but didn’t ruin the ambiance and feeling of the original. Luckily, they put that same care into the console port since it doesn’t lose anything from the PC version. Unfortunately, there is a bit of annoyance with the inventory management, but overall it is a flawless port. For any fan of the immersive sim that perhaps never had a chance to play this classic, this is the perfect chance to hop in.
Why settle for being a low-life hacker when you can take control of the entire space station? That’s the kind of power you’ll wield in System Shock, a thrilling game developed by Nightdive Studios and published by Prime Matter. Get ready to dive into the world of high-stakes hacking!
It will be interesting to see if attempts are made to bring this kind of treatment to System Shock 2; but for now; it was not only a compelling trip down memory lane, but a challenging gaming experience that is now available for consoles after being released previously on PC.
In the modern era, the System Shock Remake stands as the de facto way to experience the malevolent AI’s reign of terror. With its faithful reimagining, Nightdive Studios pays homage to a game that shaped the immersive sim genre and solidifies SHODAN’s place as one of gaming’s most unforgettable villains. As we explore Citadel Station once again, we find ourselves caught between fear and fascination, just as we did nearly three decades ago.
"System Shock" is the gold standard for remakes of old classics. It shows that old and new do not have to stand in each other's way, but also complement each other. Although there are some old burdens, especially in the operation of the inventory and the hand-to-hand combat, these are quickly covered up by the timeless exploration of the beautifully implemented space station. Whether for fans of the original or for those who grew up with the titles that learned from "System Shock", this remake is a worthwhile trip into video game history.
Review in German | Read full review
System Shock is an impressive remake of an all-time classic, but there’s no doubting that its old-school design won’t be for everyone. There were plenty of occasions where I found myself completely stumped when exploring the Citadel, and whilst it did make each success all the more satisfying, it could also be frustrating not knowing what to do. Combat could be a bit ordinary too, with it feeling a little dated when compared to similar titles. Despite this, I still had a good time with the game. I loved seeing the story progress, uncovering more of the gorgeous world, and tackling the cyberspace sections, with it clear that Nightdive Studios put a lot of effort and care into making a remake that feels authentic and that captures the vibe of the original game. It could just feel a bit TOO old-school at times, especially since other recent remakes have done a lot more to lean into modern innovations to refine the experience for newer players.
The remake of System Shock that came to PC a year ago and now comes to consoles remains extremely faithful and respectful, which means that its innumerable virtues have been maintained, but also other somewhat archaic or outdated elements. This is both a cause for rejoicing for fans of the original title and a major barrier to the game reaching a new audience.
Review in Spanish | Read full review