System Shock (2023) Reviews
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 System Shock remake, now available on Nintendo consoles after its release on other systems, remains extremely faithful and respectful to the original, preserving all its strengths and also some of its slightly archaic or outdated elements. This fidelity continues to delight fans of the original title, but it presents a barrier to attracting new players. The Nintendo versions expand the game's accessibility and offer new control options, although the performance on the Switch 2 is still not entirely polished. Nevertheless, System Shock remains a demanding, fascinating title, as unwilling to compromise today as it was in 1994.
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.
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.