Many people still can't believe that the System Shock remake is finally released after what felt like multiple years of delays and a rough development cycle. After initially starting out as a Unity project, the game shifted its gears and opted for Unreal Engine to develop this title instead, setting the development back for quite some time.
Finally, in 2023, the System Shock remake has finally witnessed a release that was a long time in the making, and the game has been positively received for the most part. Despite a few hiccups, the game is a blast to play through and has now become the best way to experience this classic title that kickstarted the wave of immersive sims in the best way possible.
7 The Graphics—Obviously
The original System Shock hasn't really aged well in many aspects, with one of the most obvious examples being the dated graphics of this title. As much as players would like to believe otherwise, even its most hardcore fans can't deny the fact that System Shock looks extremely dated and will simply not appeal to gamers with more modern tastes and sensibilities.
This is why a remake was so important — a visual upgrade was downright necessary if new players wanted to experience this legendary title. The remake offers this in droves, improving the look of this title while still retaining the unique aesthetic of the classic title that makes for a great mix of classic and modern visuals.
6 An Improved Movement System
A substantial aspect of the gameplay in the original System Shock was just learning how to move around and navigate the game world. This made for an arduous time, with new players having to get accustomed to a dated movement system that wasn't intuitive in the slightest. Sure, mods could fix this situation, but it was far from an optimal system.
With the remake, it's only a given that these issues have become a thing of the past. The hacker moves like any normal character in a first-person title, with these modernized movement mechanics doing a great job of helping players come to grips with the challenging difficulty of the title.
5 Limited Inventory Space
The original System Shock didn't really place too many limitations on the number of things a player could carry in the game. This allowed the hacker to wield a large arsenal of weapons as they tore through Citadel Station in a bid to end Shodan's reign of terror over this once-populated space station.
However, the remake leans hard towards the immersive sim roots of the second System Shock game, and inventory space has been adjusted accordingly so that players really have to think about the stuff they pick up and use in the game. It makes for a great way to add tension to the decision-making in the game, and players really have to think twice before dropping an item, picking up a new weapon, and every other decision along the same lines.
4 A Vastly Improved Cyberspace
Cyberspace is an aspect of the original System Shock that was pretty divisive, with some people loving the unique take on hacking while others lamented how floaty and jarring the experience felt. It didn't help that the game pushed this aspect of the game quite a bit, with the final fight against Shodan taking place within this virtual realm too!
Nightdive Studios had to do a ton of work to revamp this experience, and fans were truly amazed to see just how much fun it really is to traverse Cyberspace now. This surreal realm serves as a great break from the usual flow of gameplay and puts an interesting spin on hacking that is completely different from the trite manner in which most other modern games deal with this aspect of the game.
3 Expanded Maps That Are Easier To Navigate
A huge part of the original System Shock's charm was how each floor in the game felt like a maze, with players having to memorize routes to get through a level and take out the security threat in a smart manner. While this dungeon crawler-esque design had its positives, a huge drawback was that players simply didn't know where to go.
This issue has become a thing of the past with the remake, which still retains the maze-like level structure while also expanding on certain areas to make them easier to navigate without losing the claustrophobic feel of the original game. One aspect of the game's difficulty can also be toned down so that players can enjoy the modern convenience of waypoints, letting them know exactly where they need to go.
2 The Starting Apartment Being A Playable Sequence
The original intro started out with the hacker breaking into the security of Citadel Station, only to be accosted by law enforcement and forming a deal with a high-ranking executive that involved removing the ethical restraints of the AI that controlled the station, Shodan. All of this takes place within an intro cutscene, with the player being thrust into the isolation of this space station after awakening from a coma and realizing that almost everyone in Citadel Station had been killed after Shodan went rogue.
While the setup is largely the same in the System Shock remake, a major change is that the hacker's apartment can be explored before commencing with the hacking business. It's a simple yet unique change that allows players to find some nice easter eggs before kickstarting the events of the game!
1 Better And Less Cluttered UI
The first thing that players will notice when they play the original System Shock is how cluttered the UI is. There are simply way too many elements to keep track of, which can genuinely become overbearing after a point.
The remake completely does away with this dated UI, opting for a relatively cleaner look that does wonders when it comes to immersion. It's a simple change, but a notable one nevertheless.
System Shock (2023) is available now on PC, with upcoming ports for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.