System Shock was a revolutionary game that pushed the boundaries of what had previously been done. It combined intense action and tension with a compelling story. The remake will give a chance to present this cult classic to new generations of players. Let’s wrap up everything new to know about the new System Shock.
Update 05.10.23
The original game
System Shock was released in 1994 and offered incredibly immersive gameplay. The developers from the LookingGlass studio filled their game with puzzles, enemies, and locations that kept players fully engaged in their journey. Moreover, thanks to its incredible atmosphere, top-notch level design, groundbreaking AI, and cyberpunk theme, System Shock was a game unlike any other. The game also featured detailed graphics and sound design that pushed the boundaries of what was possible on computers at the time. Not only was System Shock a massive success, but it was also one of the most influential games ever made. It was followed by a sequel, System Shock 2, and inspired other iconic titles, such as Deus Ex and Bioshock.
Despite being an essential part of gaming history, younger gamers perceived the game as a fossil that belongs in a museum rather than a game worth playing. System Shock: Enhanced Edition, released in 2015, made the game playable on modern PCs. The remake may be another big step forward as it lets the current generation discover System Shock.
Development and release
The modern version of System Shock was developed by Nightdive Studios. It’s a studio without a considerable record of its original projects; however, they are responsible for many ports and remasters of older hits, including Turok, Forsaken, Shadow Man, Quake, SiN, and System Shock 2.
System Shock was initially planned for release in 2017 after a successful Kickstarter campaign. Unfortunately, it has been postponed multiple times and even put on hiatus for a while. There were several issues causing the delays, including challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, developing the PlayStation 4 port, and moving from Unity to Unreal Engine 4. Moreover, at some point, the team decided to implement far-reaching changes to the original gameplay, thus making the new game more of a reboot than a direct remake.
After much turbulence, Nightdive Studios announced that System Shock would be released in March 2023. However, in March, instead of the game, we received a new premiere date. System Shock will premiere on May 30, 2023. On May 9, Nightdive Studios and Plaion announced that the game had officially gone gold. It means the development has been finished and should be ready to premiere.
Story
The game’s action is set in 2072. Players assume the role of a hacker who must face SHODAN, an artificial intelligence that controls Citadel Station. She has turned the station’s crew into deadly mutants and cyborgs who will try to stop you; thus, reaching the core of the rogue AI is an exceptionally difficult mission. Your task is crucial for the entire humankind as SHODAN plans to continue her conquest and subdue Earth. Thanks to System Shock’s non-linear story, you may unfold the plot and explore Citadel Station at the pace and manner you want.
It’s also worth mentioning that Terri Brosiusm, the voice of SHODAN in the original System Shock, reprises her role in its new incarnation.
Gameplay
When it comes to genre, we can classify System Shock as an action-adventure game. It uses the first-person perspective, so at first sight, it may look similar to most shooters; however, it offers much more interesting mechanics. For instance, you may use hardware that drains your energy but grants combat advantages. Furthermore, sometimes you can enter cyberspace to look for alternative ways of overcoming obstacles blocking your path to SHODAN.
The remake remains faithful to its predecessor; hence, the story, characters, arsenal, and enemies stay intact. Nightdive Studios provided the game with new visuals, music, and sound. Some parts of the gameplay are modernized as well. For example, some changes in the level design have been made to eliminate unnecessary mazes that current gamers may find irritating. The new version also features some new dialogue lines that should eliminate plot holes that have been haunting players since 1994.
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