Review | System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster (PC)

Return to the Von Braun

System Shock 2 wasn’t just a perfect sequel; it became one of the most influential games. It solidified S.H.O.D.A.N. as an iconic villain and a chilling warning about unchecked artificial intelligence. The game defined a genre with its blend of survival horror and RPG elements in a first-person perspective. Its impact is undeniable, having inspired a generation of developers and titles that followed its design philosophy. One also can’t overlook its spiritual successors of Deus Ex, BioShock, and Prey.

It’s also a game released in 1999, and naturally, it has flaws that haven’t aged well. Compatibility can be an issue, as it may not run properly on all modern PCs. That’s a problem I’ve personally encountered when attempting to return to the Von Braun. That’s why a remaster is welcome—not just for longtime fans, but also for a new generation eager to experience a classic.

Nightdive Studios has once again proven why they’re the best at remastering classic games. When it comes to restoring beloved titles and making them playable on modern hardware, System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster may very well be their magnum opus. If you know the backstory of how they had to rebuild the source code from scratch and wrestle with adapting it for console controls, you’ll understand why this remaster truly stands as their masterpiece.

The Legacy of S.H.O.D.A.N.

System Shock 2 story is one of the most iconic, but I will keep the summary spoiler-free for those who haven’t played it.

Following the events of System Shock, the United Nations Nominate was established to keep mega-corporations in check. New regulations on artificial intelligence were also enacted to prevent the creation of another S.H.O.D.A.N. 42 years later, humanity is preparing to launch its first faster-than-light starship, the Von Braun. Players assume the role of a UNN soldier assigned to the Von Braun who awakens from deep space hibernation with no memory of recent events. They discover the ship has been overrun by the Many, a parasitic bioweapon created by S.H.O.D.A.N. Players must navigate the chaos, find survivors, and eliminate the infestation. However, not everything is as it seems; something far more sinister lurks behind the scenes.

Even after 25 years, the original System Shock 2 remains a masterclass in storytelling. Players are introduced to the world’s background while creating their character and choosing their own path. The narrative unfolds through environmental details, audio logs, and computer terminals that reveal the desperate struggle to survive an unspeakable terror. The story is present, but it’s the player who shapes their narrative path through every choice they make. All the while, in the background, you can constantly feel the looming presence of S.H.O.D.A.N. All of that has been better enhanced with the 25th Anniversary Remaster.

Expanding Your Mind

System Shock 2 is a first-person, cyberpunk-themed horror survival game. How players experience the nightmare aboard the Von Braun depends on the chosen difficulty and the career path selected at the start. In a radical departure from its predecessor, the game incorporates role-playing elements. Players can enhance their skills, unlocking new paths and secrets. At the same time, these upgrades increase their chances of survival.

While the RPG mechanics enhance the cyberpunk experience, System Shock 2 remains a horror survival game at its core. Players will need to be strategic as they will have limited resources. That means they have to be wise about combat and leave no stone unturned in a hunt for health and ammo. One should also plan properly at first as some paths are only ideal with the right stats. Not having those stats could set you back.

Like Citadel Station before it, the Von Braun is fascinating to explore, filled with secrets and deadly traps. It presents a cyberpunk world that feels both lively and eerie. This atmosphere is achieved through the strategic use of color, carefully darkened environments, and piles of mutilated corpses.

Free Your Mind

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster aims to preserve what made the original a classic while improving its quality of life. To that end, Nightdive Studios has done an impressive job. The defining elements of the 1999 release are carefully maintained, allowing players to feel like they’re experiencing the original. Yet, you can tell it has been enhanced with better audio quality and visual designs that are better polished. All of this presents a more terrifying experience.   

For younger gamers, the 25th Anniversary Remaster is the ideal way to experience System Shock 2 for the first time. It truly captures the atmosphere and feeling of a game from that era, while being more accessible and featuring refined controls. A number of quality-of-life upgrades have also been added, making the overall experience more welcoming.

The 25th Anniversary Remaster’s only shortcoming is that some of the original game’s issues still persist. Nightdive Studios has done everything possible to enhance the experience, but there’s only so much they can fix. While many problems are now less severe than in the original, certain flaws remain. The clunky interface (especially with a console controller) and unbalanced skill system are still present, though players can usually find ways to work around them.

S.H.O.D.A.N. is Back

Nightdive Studios is known for restoring classic games, but System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster may be their magnum opus. It’s a game that has been painstakingly rebuilt from the ground up, enhanced with improved visuals and audio. The result is that old-school gamers replay their favorite game while a new generation can experience System Shock 2 for the first time.

Disclaimer: The publisher, through a PR representative, provided the game used for this review.

This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt then check it out on OpenCritic.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster (PC)

Pros

• A new generation of gamers can enjoy System Shock 2.
• Old school gamers can go back to the classic nightmare with mordern hardware.
• Improved graphics and audio quality enhance the terror.
• Preserves many of its defining aspects while also improving its overall quality.

Cons

• Some of its short comings are still present.