System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster Reviews
PC gamers may have been enjoying System Shock 2 for decades, but now it's time for console owners to get in on the fun. There is no escaping the fact that this is a true PC experience. The UI and menu system are intertwined with using a mouse, and try as they might, Nightdive Studios' method works as best as it possibly can. There was a very good reason why BioShock had to streamline a lot of the features from its progenitors. These developers are wizards for making it work at all. Some of the early game may feel a bit floaty and could put off some players, but sticking with it is unbelievably rewarding as the protagonist becomes a cybernetic monstrosity. Sometimes it's better to become one with the machine than to fight it.
The return to the Von Braun Space Station was a source of embarrassment, but in the end, nostalgia won out. The cult classic is back and still has its unique charm.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
A timeless classic, restored with care and respect: System Shock 2 remains a deep and unforgettable experience.
Review in Italian | Read full review
System Shock 2 returns with a fresh look, featuring new high-definition textures and controls adapted to the limitations of gamepads, but the debut of the iconic sequel on consoles is anything but unmissable.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
A classic it may be, though it never quite manages to be as memorable as its equally punishing predecessor despite coming close. Between its crass difficulty, clashing gameplay systems, and at-times-puzzling implementation, System Shock 2 is a game that aims to take the player’s breath away but winds up running dangerously low on oxygen instead.
In short, System Shock 2 is better than ever in its remastered form. It managed to win me over, even though certain aspects have inevitably aged over the past quarter of a century and the graphics scream the late '90s. Despite its minor flaws, it has aged more gracefully than many of its contemporaries and absolutely still deserves its place on the imaginary Walk of Fame of video games. On top of that, it’s easier to recommend to newcomers than its remade predecessor.
Review in Finnish | Read full review
System Shock 2 Remastered it's a part of videogame history and still holds up as an interesting experience.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The SS2 remaster successfully preserves the original's groundbreaking legacy while delivering exceptional visual enhancements. While gameplay modernization opportunities were missed, this remains the definitive version of a genre-defining classic.
Review in Persian | Read full review
"I was creeped out by ghosts and bugs."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Sometimes it feels like I am banging the same drum when it comes to these Nightdive remasters. They almost always take great titles and make them even better. Seeing Nightdive take on System Shock 2 as a remaster after the fantastic remake of 1 might feel like a step back, but they have done enough to make a great experience a phenomenal one. And isn't quality why we are drawn to this kind of work? If you love immersion, horror, and sci-fi, System Shock 2 is still one of the greatest to ever do it, and System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is a great way to experience it nowadays. Now it's much more palatable by modern standards, and playable with a controller. Or in my experience, on the Switch 2 with the convenience of portability. Grab yourself a headset, turn the lights off, and step out of your cryopod, because the Von Braun and The Many await.
System Shock 2 is still a good game. Even after all these years, it still manages to be engaging and scary. But a lot can change in twenty-five years, gaming included, and when compared to games from that era that still hold up (like Deux Ex), it’s age is all the more obvious. I’m not saying you shouldn’t play it, but I am saying that the ancient interface will probably infuriate you along the way.
System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster still plays really well, but the gameplay feels a little bit less special than it once did, if only because so many popular games have taken its innovations and run with them. The good news, though, is that it still plays well and its atmosphere still stands out even after all these years. System Shock 2 asks more from players than most modern shooters, and a few of its systems could have used a bit more of an overhaul to work better with a controller, but if you’re willing to explore and really dig into the mystery here, you’ll find an incredibly compelling experience.
System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is easily one of the best games I've played this year. I'd always heard great things about it, and this re-release lived up to expectations and beyond. Minor hiccups don't tarnish the reputation of this FPS and horror classic, packed with macabre ambiance, sparse music to create a terrifying atmosphere, a charismatic villain, and sharp gameplay.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster modernizes the visuals, but leaves the gameplay of this classic title unaltered.
Regardless of the few issues I ran into with navigation and vague directions. While this is an issue here, the original was much, much worse, and I’m glad there were some attempts after fixing that. I had a lot of fun with this game. The story is super creative in a charming b horror sci-fi sort of way, the enemy variety was enough to keep me on edge, and the old school challenge it brings is something I think more mainstream games should take a crack at more often.
The System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is a hard game to recommend. On the one hand, if you're extremely eager to experience the origin of the immersive sim genre or are looking for the definitive way to play System Shock 2 as a fan of the series, then this is the game for you. However, if you're coming fresh off the System Shock remake or are entering the series as a newcomer, you'll quickly be intimidated by the backtracking and dated gameplay design.
If you’re looking for a polished, modern experience, this isn’t it. But if you’re looking to understand where games like BioShock, Prey, and Deus Ex came from—if you want to see the roots of player-driven storytelling and atmospheric design—then this remaster is definitely worth your time.
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.