REVIEW – System Shock is a remake of the 1994 classic that pioneered the immersive sim genre. It’s a game that combines first-person shooter, survival horror, and role-playing elements in a cyberpunk setting. It’s also a game that has been faithfully updated by Nightdive Studios, who have improved the graphics, gameplay, modes, and features without compromising the original vision. Whether you are a fan of the original or a newcomer to the series, System Shock is a game that will shock you with its quality and challenge.

System Shock is a game that has influenced many other games in its genre, such as Deus Ex, BioShock, and Prey. It’s a game that puts you in the role of a hacker who wakes up on a space station overrun by mutants, cyborgs, and robots. It also that pits you against one of the most memorable villains in gaming history: SHODAN, a rogue AI who wants to destroy humanity and become a god. But System Shock is not just a title that relies on its legacy. It’s a game remade with modern technology and design sensibilities, making it more accessible and enjoyable for today’s audiences.

The Citadel Station: A Labyrinthine Nightmare

One of the main aspects of System Shock is exploration. You are free to roam around the Citadel Station, a massive space station divided into nine levels. Each level has its own theme and atmosphere, such as medical, engineering, executive, or cyberspace. You can find various items, weapons, logs, and secrets that will help you survive and understand what happened on the station. You can also access different systems and terminals that will allow you to hack doors, cameras, robots, or turrets.

But exploration is not easy or safe. The station is full of enemies that will try to kill you on sight. You have to manage your health, energy, ammo, and inventory carefully. You also have to deal with environmental hazards such as radiation, traps, or malfunctioning devices. And you have to face SHODAN’s taunts and tricks as she tries to stop you from reaching her core. The Citadel Station is a labyrinthine nightmare that will test your skills and nerves.

The Combat System: A Mix of Action and Strategy

Another main aspect of System Shock is combat. You have to fight your way through various enemies that range from zombies to cyborgs to robots. Each enemy has its own strengths and weaknesses that you have to exploit. You also have access to a variety of weapons that have different effects and ammo types. You can use pistols, shotguns, rifles, grenades, mines, or energy weapons. You can also upgrade your weapons with attachments that improve their performance.

But combat is not just about shooting everything that moves. You have to use strategy and tactics to survive. You can use stealth to avoid or ambush enemies. You can use hacking to turn devices or robots against them. You can use traps or environmental objects to damage them. And you can use your implants to enhance your abilities or gain new ones. The combat system is a mix of action and strategy that will keep you on your toes.

The Remake Features: A Modern Touch

The final main aspect of System Shock is the remake features. Nightdive Studios has done an excellent job of modernizing the game without losing its essence. They have improved the graphics with Unreal Engine 4, making the station look more detailed and realistic. They have improved the gameplay with smoother controls, better UI, more options and modes. They have improved the sound with remastered music and voice acting, making the game more immersive and atmospheric.

But they have also respected the original game and its fans. They have kept the level design faithful to the original layout and style. They have kept the gameplay mechanics faithful to the original balance and difficulty. They have kept the story faithful to the original plot and characters. And they have added optional features that allow you to customize your experiences, such as adjustable difficulty, toggleable objectives, or classic mode. The remake features are a modern touch that enhances the game without changing it.

This is how the System Shock Remake shocks us on PS5

The PlayStation 5 version of the System Shock Remake is like watching your favorite old VHS tape in 4K – but with a few hiccups here and there. The 4K resolution offers a stunning visual experience, but the 60 fps performance occasionally stutters, especially during the most intense moments, which can dampen the experience a bit. However, the loading times are practically non-existent thanks to the PS5’s lightning-fast SSD, allowing players to jump back into the eerie adventures quickly.

The DualSense controller’s capabilities evoke mixed feelings. The adaptive triggers and haptic feedback are exciting additions, but they don’t always feel fully utilized. Some players noted that the differences between weapons aren’t always perceptible, which diminishes immersion a bit.

Since System Shock is a shooter, it’s important to note that accuracy and precision are real challenges with the PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller. Given how often players are swarmed by enemies, precise shooting and dodging would be useful, but the weaponry feels quite rigid, and the reticule is rather small. Players will also need to experiment with which ammunition types affect which enemies until they find the targeting upgrade that provides this information, leading to a lot of wasted ammo. Some weapons use cybernetic energy instead of bullets, which is at least much easier to recharge.

The 3D audio is truly impressive, making it feel like you’re really aboard Citadel Station, but sometimes the precise localization of enemy footsteps isn’t perfect, leading to occasional frustration. While the graphical enhancements are captivating, some textures still appear blurry, which is particularly noticeable on high-resolution displays.

Overall, the PS5 version of System Shock Remake leverages the console’s powerful features but not always flawlessly. The visuals and audio elevate the game’s quality, but a few technical glitches and shortcomings can overshadow the experience. Longtime fans will definitely find it worth playing, but those looking for a new experience might have mixed feelings.

System Shock: A Masterpiece Reborn

System Shock is a masterpiece reborn. It’s a game that combines first-person shooter, survival horror, and role-playing elements in a cyberpunk setting. It’s a game that challenges you to explore, fight, and hack your way through a space station controlled by a rogue AI. It’s also a game that has been remade with modern technology and design sensibilities, making it more accessible and enjoyable for today’s audiences. Whether you are a fan of the original or a newcomer to the series, System Shock is a game that will shock you with its quality and challenge. It’s a game that deserves to be played and praised by everyone.

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Publisher: Prime Matter

Developer: Nightdive Studios

Style: FPS/RPG/Survival Horror

Release: May 30, 2023.