System Shock (2023) Reviews
"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and respectful, which means that its innumerable virtues have been maintained, but also other somewhat archaic or outdated elements.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
System Shock is an all-time classic, and this is by far the best way to experience it. Nightdive Studios have followed through on their promise and delivered a full remake that gets what made the original so special.
While the storytelling, world-building, and environments were interesting and engaging, its gunplay, awkward UI, and unbalanced difficulty make the game hard to recommend outside of those who have already experienced it before. This remake retains a lot of old-school design choices but dresses them up in a new 3D outer shell, meaning it’s still the same game from 1994, for better or worse.
It's hard not to get carried away by nostalgia, especially if you've played the original game, so we're not too impartial when we tell you that this remake of System Shock is a game worth playing. The additions are very interesting and allow the level of difficulty to be adjusted to all types of player profiles to make it attractive to new generations. If you have not played the original, it is a good time to approach this game and discover one of the precursors to great games like Dead Space or Bioshock.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Nightdive Studios has breathed new life into System Shock, and probably in the best possible way! The antagonistic SHODAN is as menacing as ever with its small army populating the claustrophobic corridors of the Citadel Station. With the individual difficulty level, some factors of the game are mitigated, but in any case you can feel the mercilessness of the original - as well as its pioneering gameplay! The remake masters the challenge of bringing badly aged aspects up to date without losing any of the atmosphere of the original.
Review in German | Read full review
Modern players may find it interesting but not vital.
Remaking a game as emblematic as System Shock isn't an easy task, Nightdive commited to the important details to make the game shine for new audiences. In an effort of keeping everything almost intact and try to update it for this new generation (and consoles) some elements feel more outdated than it should or that came out short compared to other games in this day and age.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
A remake that gives today's players a cult classic with the atmosphere of the old games.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
System Shock (2023) is a fantastic remake of the groundbreaking 1994 original with an eagle eye for attention. Above everything else, it’s a love letter to the original made by folks who knew the ins and outs of the Looking Glass classic. The striking visual design, rewarding exploration, challenging puzzles, and a menacing performance by Terri Brosius make System Shock not just a great remake, but one of the best games of this year. The wait was worth it.
The perfect rebirth of a cult classic. System Shock remains one of the greatest exponents of cyberpunk in the world of video
Review in Spanish | Read full review
System Shock is a successful remake of an almost 30-year-old legend that honors the original in every possible aspect, be it story, atmosphere, difficulty, or its core ideas. I enjoyed playing it despite the tension and slight frustration that overcame me every time I missed instructions on continuing the story. The pleasant elevator tune helped ease my inner restlessness.
Review in Czech | Read full review
The System Shock remake is a striking homage to a gaming masterpiece, maintaining its core essence while skilfully modernizing certain aspects. Balancing nostalgia with novelty, it serves as a thrilling ride for both seasoned fans of the original and newcomers to the series. Despite its minor misses, it’s an adventure that every sci-fi horror gaming enthusiast should embark upon.
System Shock is a remake years in the making, and Nightdive Studios masterfully reimagines the critically acclaimed classic. From the challenging puzzles, dangerous combat, cyberpunk aesthetic, and the tragic story that serves as the backbone for it all, there’s a lot to love about this game. System Shock’s legacy will live on in this brilliant modern take.
I appreciate System Shock for laying the groundwork for future immersive titles, but it definitely feels dated now, and the few changes made in the remake are a mixed bag that don’t do enough to fix its problems, while also adding new ones of their own.
By paying the 1994 original the utmost respect – retaining core systems, quirks and all, while changing on peripheral aspects entirely for the better – Nightdive Studios has rebuilt a classic game into something significantly better.
System Shock has brought a 30-year-old classic back to life in the most successful way possible. Even though we sometimes encounter problems that show the age of the game, they managed to make a great remake.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Nightdive are synonymous with fantastic remasters but to my knowledge, this is the first from-the-ground-up remake they have produced and Shodan be praised, did they knock it out of the park! System Shock isn’t a game for everyone as previously stated. It doesn’t have the flexible character builds of its sequel nor is it a more linear digestible experience like its spiritual successors. What it does offer is a hardcore, sci-fi horror game with a level of immersion that only comes around every so often. Fans of Prey (2016) will certainly find a lot to love here, along with gamers looking for a challenge. You will get lost, you will die, and you’ll spend more than enough time scratching your head at some of the more obscure objectives and puzzles. But if you stick with it, you’ll come out of the other side fulfilled and with an even greater appreciation of just how much of a landmark title System Shock was and still is.
For fans of the original System Shock, this remake delivers a faithful recreation of that game. But for newcomers, it's arguably a little too faithful to the original and ends up feeling outdated.