System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster Review

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Reviewing such an iconic, cherished, and impactful game on the gaming industry can feel peculiar. Despite often being categorized as a cult classic and being surpassed in popularity by its spiritual successor, BioShock, there exists a significant fanbase that fondly remembers System Shock 1 and 2 from their childhood, and continue to appreciate them today.

Given that circumstances, I can’t help but feel an urgency to tackle the issue straight away. To put it bluntly, System Shock 2 feels laborious, and I doubt it provides enjoyable gameplay in the year 2025. Whew!

Hey there fellow gamers! I understand that what I’m about to say might rub some of you the wrong way and promptly have you hitting that back button. Some may even doubt my gaming skills based on this opinion, and honestly, I can’t blame them for feeling that way. But let me share my thoughts anyway.

If you’re curious about my reasons for finding this game less engaging in today’s gaming environment, I have plenty to discuss with you, dear reader. Rest assured, I want to make it clear that System Shock 2 still possesses many appealing aspects and deserves recognition for them.

Rub the sleep from your eyes, pick up your preferred tool, and prepare to take apart your nearby artificial intelligence ruler.

Straight From A Throwback Sci-Fi Action Movie

25 years on, the ambiance of System Shock 2 remains remarkably pristine. It’s like a blend of Blade Runner, Alien, Star Trek, The Matrix, and a hint of Starship Troopers. As a big fan of sci-fi, I was instantly hooked.

As I delve deeper into this game, the colossal ship that serves as my home becomes more than just a backdrop; it transforms into a character in its own right, much like Rapture or Columbia from the BioShock series. It’s eerily empty, vast, and intimidating, yet it breathes life into the game world in an uncanny way. Despite not measuring up to the chilling, lived-in atmosphere of those timeless gaming locales, its creation is nothing short of remarkable.

Experiencing a reminiscent allure here is akin to revisiting the original Halo for the first time, and it significantly enhances System Shock 2’s appeal. However, unlike the space marine adventure shooter that Halo represents, this game is designed to deliver a suspenseful survival-horror experience instead.

Fundamentally, if you appreciate science fiction themes, you’re likely to find System Shock 2 appealing at its core. This is due to the game’s depiction of a deserted space station, adrift in nothingness, where control is manipulated by a malevolent AI and an alien race with a collective consciousness that clearly does not prioritize human welfare.

Despite the lack of groundbreaking surprises in 2025, the narrative remains exceptionally engaging. If you’re acquainted with SHODAN, the legendary AI adversary from the original game, you’ll find much to appreciate in this sequel’s development. It offers a thrilling ending sequence and an intriguing cliffhanger, which unfortunately has been overshadowed by the last few decades.

The music alternates between spooky lullabies and intense, dance-like cyberpunk tunes, yet it doesn’t follow the action on the screen at all but instead plays in a continuous loop. There were instances when my gaming instincts made me believe I was in a real perilous situation as the music grew loud, only to remind myself that I was merely playing a game from 1999, which wasn’t as immersive as today’s standards.

The BioShock-iness Of It All

If you share my viewpoint and believe that BioShock, BioShock 2, and BioShock: Infinite are the top-notch first-person shooter trilogies ever made, then you’re likely to discover a lot in System Shock 2 that carries a sense of nostalgia, even if you haven’t played either of these games that served as its spiritual precursors.

This feature is emphasized significantly through the audio logs you’ll gather during your adventure, which, similar to BioShock, can be found, played, and effortlessly listened to as you delve deeper into the game world – much like System Shock did in 1999. Many contemporary games haven’t fully embraced the idea that enabling players to absorb backstory while they continue playing the game itself is generally the best approach, nearly all the time.

The maintenance robots closely resemble early models of Big Daddies, while the Hybrids share similarities with the diverse group of Splicers you already know. However, neither are as terrifying or intimidating as one might anticipate; nonetheless, recognizing their link and inspiration is quite fascinating.

In System Shock 2, the psionic abilities operate similarly, though not quite as seamlessly integrated as the plasmid system in BioShock. However, they offer an impressive variety of choices and applications for each power-up acquired. Just like in BioShock, you restore your ability to use these powers with syringes.

The instant you assume command over your character, it’s as if you’re stepping out of a bathysphere for the first time. Different parts of the map are divided by bulkheads, which become loading screens. If you weren’t aware that the game was created by Ken Levine and associates beforehand, you might think there’s enough similarity to warrant a legal claim.

Viewed from this angle, playing System Shock 2 offers a nostalgic glance at the influential video game heritage that eventually led Ken Levine to create BioShock. For those who are familiar with System Shock, these connections may be familiar territory. However, it’s still an intriguing exploration of game development history to spot these similarities.

A Half-Measure Remaster

It seems I’ve been discussing as if this review is only for the original version of System Shock 2, but let me clarify that we’re actually talking about its 25th anniversary remaster. However, I must admit that the remaster, to my perception, still carries an old-fashioned feel.

While I must confess, I’m somewhat undecided about this matter. On one hand, there’s an allure to experiencing a fresh take on an old favorite, with its graphics upgraded to 4K and whatever frame rate your preferred console supports. As an advocate for game preservation, I find it appealing to revisit System Shock 2 in a manner that mirrors our memories of the original game.

In my opinion, NightDive Studios could have struck a better balance in this instance. I wasn’t anticipating AAA-quality graphics, but going for a look that resembles 1999 with a smoother finish seems somewhat excessive and unneeded.

It seems that there isn’t a feature to switch between the fresh graphics and the original ones, likely due to the fact that the team found little notable differences to emphasize in comparison.

In my viewpoint, some of the designs from the original 1999 version appear more appealing than what’s presented in this remaster. This perspective is subjective, but I find the Hybrid enemies in the original game to be scarier and more grotesque, due to their somewhat rougher, less polished appearances that we see in the versions released in 2025.

In simpler terms, I find it disappointing that the remastered version doesn’t make a significant improvement, but only seems like a modified version at times. If you enjoy it, that’s great! But I believe many people might be surprised by how much it resembles a game from 1999, not in a charming retro way, but rather in an odd, outdated manner.

Some people didn’t appreciate the updated graphics from the 2023 System Shock remake, and I get why 2025’s version of the game is a remaster instead of a remake. However, it seems like this decision creates an inconsistency between the two products, making it feel as though 2 is now considered the less impressive game. Why is that?

It seems to me that a complete overhaul, offering both modern graphics and an option to revert to original visuals, would have been ideal for System Shock 2. However, what we’re getting is a remake with aesthetics reminiscent of the late ’90s, and it’s expected that players might find this acceptable, though perhaps with reservations.

I thoroughly appreciated the assortment of concept art and entertaining promotional items that the team compiled to mark the 25th anniversary. It was fascinating to glimpse into the game’s past and the world of 1999 before Y2K, the simulation reset, and we found ourselves in… whatever this present situation may be—*gestures at everything around*.

Gameplay Stuck In 1999

Despite my hopes for the System Shock 2 Remaster to offer more updated graphics that seamlessly fit into today’s standards, I can easily overlook these aspects as a player. For me, a game’s smooth and steady operation is what truly matters most. Regrettably, in terms of gameplay, System Shock 2 falls short, which is quite disappointing.

In simpler terms, there’s little justification for spending $30 on the 25th anniversary edition when you consider its value.

As a devoted fan, I’ve found myself immersed once more in the updated 2023 remake of System Shock, and while it’s undeniably improved with its smoother gameplay, enhanced fluidity, and heightened excitement, the System Shock 2 Remaster still seems tragically rooted in the past – 1999, to be precise. I understand that some of you appreciate this continuity with the original, but personally, I firmly believe that this timeless classic is crying out for a much-needed modern facelift.

At some point, the remastered version becomes questionable as to why it should continue, especially when it looks and plays very similar to its original version. As I write this, the 1999 version is still available on Steam for just $6. In terms of gameplay, there’s little justification for spending $30 on the 25th anniversary edition.

If you haven’t played a first-person shooter game in the 90s, I can’t imagine how you could get back into a game like this one. Unlike many other games from that era, FPS titles haven’t really aged gracefully. Maybe you recall playing GoldenEye 64 fondly, but have you tried it again recently? Boy, it’s… quite an experience now!

…far too obtuse and “hardcore” in ways that just aren’t fun anymore.

Even though System Shock 2 was initially released as a PC game, back then, and it’s been two decades since GoldenEye-like games, it hasn’t deteriorated significantly by today’s standards in 2025. However, despite its age, playing it now remains challenging. The weapons feel unsatisfying to use, and the melee weapon or wrench seems to pack the punch of a feather duster, often getting stuck on objects rather than dealing damage to enemies.

In this survival-horror first-person shooter game, each bullet is precious due to the limited ammo supply. So, it’s incredibly frustrating when you seem to be hitting your target yet the shots appear not to inflict any damage at all, seemingly for no discernible reason.

Exploring the map can be tiresome. Dealing with an excessive amount of security alarms is annoying. Managing inventory is laborious. Continually switching between menus is irritating. The quests are unclear at times. The weapon deterioration seems arbitrary and inconsistent. In short, everything is excessively complex and “hardcore,” which isn’t enjoyable anymore.

For some of you who are already familiar with the situation, my respect goes out to you. The rest of you might find yourselves in this game without knowing much about it initially, but if you’re playing on Steam, you can easily leave and request a refund before things get too confusing for you.

I appreciate the challenging nature of System Shock 2 and how it immediately sets high expectations. However, it seems unlikely that many players today could tackle it without relying heavily on a comprehensive guide throughout most of their gameplay. Even with such assistance, it would still be quite a struggle.

In simpler terms, the tutorial sections of this game won’t offer any noticeable enhancement in your gaming experience because they rely on button prompts and a robotic voice guide. Instead of learning through interactive demonstrations, you’re expected to familiarize yourself with the controls menu beforehand and trust that you’ll remember everything correctly when you start playing. However, the instructions may not be clear at first.

…not enough had been done here to give System Shock 2 the love and attention it deserved…

Despite being a game from 1999, I can understand it. However, my overall feeling is that not enough effort was put into updating and enhancing System Shock 2 to make it appealing to today’s gamers, who expect high-quality visuals and gameplay.

It’s possible that my assumptions were incorrect, but it seems that the same team demonstrated more of their capabilities with the release of the original game’s remake two years ago. Even though System Shock 2 is just being remastered, I find myself struggling to understand its purpose in this iteration.

Closing Thoughts:

As a devoted fan, I understand why System Shock 2 enthusiasts hold it in such high regard, but let’s face it, time has not been particularly kind to this classic in 2025. The game’s legendary status is well-deserved for its groundbreaking impact on the gaming industry, but for most of us, it’s a treasure we admire from a distance. This remaster is an excellent way to experience the game on contemporary hardware, yet it leaves one yearning for the essential quality-of-life improvements that are conspicuously absent. The game’s lore and atmosphere remain captivating, but the playability in the moment can unfortunately become a laborious grind. If you’re already a fan of this remaster, I believe you’ll find it enjoyable. For those unfamiliar, I recommend watching a playthrough instead.

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2025-07-04 16:41