System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster Reviews
The System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster stays true to the original’s eerie vibe and immersive sim core, but takes a step back by skimping on modern quality-of-life tweaks, making the $30 price tag feel like a stretch compared to the modded classic. Suppose you’ve got cash to burn, grab the remaster to back Nightdive’s game preservation efforts. If your wallet’s crying, the original’s still there, ready to fill you with cosmic dread.
The remaster of System Shock 2 brings us back to a great masterpiece of the past... with a few too many years under its belt. It was light years ahead of its time, but some of its systems haven't aged well. However, with a compelling story and gameplay that is still very solid, it remains a milestone in the shooter genre that younger players can now catch up on.
Review in Italian | Read full review
System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster brings the classic title forward for contemporary systems, and does so flawlessly. The artistic and gameplay elements are all restored to their original glory. If you've never played before, or it's been far too long since you last played, don't sleep on this one. You won't regret it.
System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is an excellent opportunity to get to know a classic. Though it demands more dedication than more modern titles thanks to some mechanics, the experience as a whole is high quality and the remaster does a good job at keeping it undeniably faithful.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is a faithful update that preserves the original’s chilling cyberpunk horror and rewarding RPG gameplay, while adding solid visual upgrades and surprise multiplayer. Its age still shows in places, but it’s a thrilling return to a cult classic that helped shape games like BioShock.
System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is a great one for people who missed it the first time around to get in. And for veterans, it's the best way to reread a hauntingly smart classic. Not only does System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remastered fix up an old favorite, but it also shows why it's still important to talk about in 2025. A Classic Reawakens, sharper, smarter, and still unforgivingly brilliant.
There's not much I could add to System Shock 2's long, successful critical tenure. It's the game we all know and love, but in its best edition yet. Crucially, it comes with full support for all modern amenities and with a mod staging option, to boot. Its only downside truly is the fact that it's not a full-on remake, and that's hardly a downside at all.
The System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is a faithful update to a horror classic, keeping its old-school spirit intact with upgraded visuals and new co-op multiplayer. But make no mistake—this is still a remaster, not a remake. The dated combat and clunky systems are all here, for better or worse. It’s a must-play for horror fans and genre history buffs; just don’t expect something modern.
Nightdive Studios is known for restoring classic games, but System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster may be their magnum opus.
System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is the definitive way to experience this timeless classic. It was an amazing feeling getting back into the world of System Shock without feeling like it lost any of the charm I had fallen for from the original. The depth of the gameplay systems is wonderful, and although some of the original's faults do peek through, it doesn't change just how great it is to play with all of the improvements Nightdive has added. On top of that, it's a joy to play on the Steam Deck. It's definitely a Best on Deck game, and I can't help but enjoy playing it on the go. This is a great portable experience, and I can't wait for mods to come out!
System Shock 2 is an all-time great, easily one of the most important games of all time, and Nightdive’s 25th Anniversary Remaster edition makes it a touch more accessible without ever gutting its core, or anything that made it so cherished in the first place. The excellent core gameplay and stellar level design come together for an unforgettable experience. Furthermore, the fact it works shockingly well on a controller is already something worthy of a medal of honor for the studio.
System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster will certainly find its audience, but I'm unsure the dated design will cause new players to have the same appreciation for it that its established fan base already has. It's a shame Nightdive Studios didn't offer the same remake treatment of the original, considering how great the previous game’s remake played and the wealth of visual upgrades that greatly helped its trek into modern gaming. While System Shock 2 is certainly not for me, I can still respect what it did many years ago, even if it hasn’t aged particularly well.
System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Edition is a solid upgrade for an all-time classic. While I didn’t personally get to test it, the thought of playing the title with friends in co-op sounds amazing, and the full mod support built into the game on PC should lead to some crazy scenarios.