Mini Review: System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster (PS5) – Cult Classic Returns, Cybernetically Enhanced

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25th Anniversary Remaster of System Shock 2: A Tribute by Nightdive Studio to the highly influential 1994 classic. This remaster provides a long-awaited technical overhaul, coupled with additional features. Despite some of its innovative elements appearing rather dated after three decades, System Shock 2 remains an impressive game.

Initially developed jointly by Looking Glass Studios and Irrational Games, designer Ken Levine would later enhance numerous fundamental ideas of System Shock 2 (like hacking, hypos, audio logs, wrenches) in its spiritual sequel, BioShock. However, prior to the creation of Rapture, there was a science fiction series centered around the malicious AI, SHODAN, and a spacecraft named the Von Braun, which was infected and filled with an ominous atmosphere.

Characters assume the part of an amnesiac solider who regains consciousness on the Von Braun, a vessel overtaken by a psychic entity called the Many, transforming the crew into monstrous cybernetic creations. At first instructed by an enigmatic figure to reactivate several key ship systems, the soldier is compelled to navigate a storyline filled with deception, madness, and twist endings (which may seem predictable if you’re familiar with Levine’s work).

System Shock 2 sets itself apart from the BioShock series in a number of notable ways. Primarily, it leans heavily into role-playing game (RPG) elements. Instead of just choosing a character class at the beginning, players can influence their character’s playstyle by selecting their service background, which ranges from combat-oriented Marines, technologically adept Navy personnel, to psychically gifted OSA Agents. As the game progresses, you can further customize your character by making strategic decisions during various tours of duty. These choices not only impact the story but also grant statistical bonuses to different attributes and sometimes even determine the equipment your character starts with.

In System Shock 2, unlike other first-person shooters that offer some power options, one major difference is its challenging difficulty level. Even on the “Normal” setting, it’s no walk in the park. Enemies deal massive damage and they often resurface, making exploration dangerous and at times, quite frustrating. To add to the challenge, while there is an auto-save function available, you’ll mostly have to save manually yourself.

The core experience centers around clashing with adversaries, gathering equipment, and locating the crucial item or goal to advance. The ambiance and narrative through environmental cues, combined with an abundance of audio logs, make the Von Braun captivating, and players will often find themselves revisiting earlier zones, lending a sense of familiarity to the ship.

Visually, System Shock 2, despite a beautiful remaster, clearly exhibits its maturity, and certain aspects such as its cumbersome inventory and aiming mechanics are long past their best. During our gameplay, we found it necessary to mute the music altogether; some players may find enjoyment in it, but the incessant 90s techno, along with the truly unsettling growls of enemies, left us feeling as if we were enduring a prolonged, overwhelming anxiety episode.

25th Anniversary Remaster of System Shock 2 is an exceptional opportunity to re-experience one of the most impactful games in gaming history. Despite being decades ahead of its peers, certain aspects have not held up over time, leading to occasional frustration. However, with a gripping narrative, strong mechanics, and an abundance of development art, assets, vintage magazine articles, and even a comprehensive strategy guide from Prima – it’s undeniably worth your attention for any gaming enthusiast.

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2025-07-07 22:06