System Shock Video Game Series
A series of action adventure games combining RPG and FPS elements. All installments of the series were maintained in a cyberpunk style. Different development studios were responsible for their creation, but consisting largely of the same employees.
The first part, System Shock, was released in 1994 and was developed by Looking Glass Studios under the leadership of industry veteran Paul Neurath. In it, we play the role of a hacker who was subjected to a forced procedure at the Citadel station. It involved implanting a special implant in his nervous system, causing him to fall into a coma that lasted six months. When the protagonist finally gets back on his feet, it turns out that the station has been taken over by a computer named Shodan. The protagonist's task is to disable the rogue equipment once and for all.
Players had to wait five years for the sequel. System Shock 2 from 1999 developed the formula of the original, enriching it with elements of survival horror. Looking Glass Studios, supported by Irrational Games, was again responsible for the creation of the title. The action of the game takes place 40 years after the events of the first, and its main character is a soldier of the Unified National Nominate organization. The group's task is to limit the influence of megacorporations, for which they use the ultra-modern Von Braun ship. Unexpectedly, the protagonist is awakened from hibernation and discovers that the ship has been taken over by rogue machines and mutants.
The two main installments were followed by an extended break in the development of the series. It wasn't until 2015 that the release of System Shock: Enhanced Edition, which was a refreshed version of the 1994 production. The remaster was prepared by Nightdive Studios, which eliminated most of the ills of the original and made slight graphical improvements.
In 2020, in turn, a full-fledged remake of the first part was released. Once again, Nightdive Studios was responsible for the production, but the System Shock, unlike the 2015 title, was created completely from scratch with eighth-generation consoles in mind. The plot and gameplay scheme were left unchanged, while the controls and interface were rebuilt to match modern productions of this type.
In 2015, it was announced System Shock 3. This time the creation of the title was entrusted to OtherSide Entertainment, which included many of the developers responsible for the previous parts. Unfortunately, five years after the project was revealed, its release date is unknown.
A common element of all installments of the series is the enrichment of typically shooter mechanics with solutions known from adventures and RPGs. Many times in them we have to solve puzzles, look for codes needed to open some passage or break into various systems with the help of special terminals. The action in the games of the series is observed from a first-person perspective, and during the game we can develop the abilities of our hero by finding special upgrades in the game world. The developers have always put at our disposal a wide arsenal of weapons, and since the second installment they have diversified the formula of the series with elements of survival horror. Each part also offers extensive features that allow us to customize the gameplay to the player's preferences - we can, among other things, decide on the difficulty of puzzles, combat or the initial skills of the character.
System Shock Series Evolution
2025
System Shock 2: Enhanced Edition
2023
System Shock
2015
System Shock: Enhanced Edition
1999
System Shock 2
1994
System Shock (1994)
System Shock 3
Action
TBA
The third major installment in a cult series of first-person action-adventure games with RPG elements, whose first two parts were released back in the 1990s. System Shock 3 was developed by OtherSide Entertainment, previously known only for a fantasy RPG, Underworld Ascendant. However, the team also included people who worked on the first System Shock and all sorts of AAA games. The characteristic feature of the series is the skillful combination of an FPS with RPG and adventure elements (i.e. computer hacking as a puzzle). The long-standing main antagonist of this cyberpunk story is the powerful Artificial Intelligence called SHODAN – she returns in the series' third entry as well.
System Shock 2: Enhanced Edition
Action
2025
A remastered version of an iconic 1999 immersive sim. System Shock 2: Enhanced Edition has us playing as a soldier facing dangers aboard the Von Braun spaceship. Compared to the original game, the remaster features enhanced visuals.
System Shock
Action
May 30, 2023
A remake of the 1994's System Shock. The original game was developed by Looking Glass Studios and is considered a classic of the genre, combining shooter mechanics with RPG elements in a cyberpunk setting. This new edition was created by Night Dive Studios, known for the 2015's enhanced edition of the same game. System Shock Remake recreates the original story, taking the player to the Citadel space station. As an experienced hacker, the protagonist has to face Shodan - an artificial intelligence in control of the station. The gameplay mechanics of the original game remain at the core of this edition. Thus the game combines first-person shooter mechanics with elements of RPG and an extensive hacking system. Most of changes the remake brings are related to the visuals. These were made from scratch, in cooperation with Rob Waters - the level designer of the original game. Both the interface and controls were heavily reworked, in order for them to follow the standards of modern FPS.
System Shock: Enhanced Edition
Action
September 22, 2015
A refreshed edition of the classic System Shock (1994). The original game gained recognition thanks to the unique combination of employed gameplay mechanics - a mixture of an FPP shooter with both RPG and adventure elements. Both the mechanics and plot remain unchanged in the enhanced edition - the player assumes the role of a hacker who faces a dangerous AI inside a military research complex belonging to the TriOptimum corporation. The game is different to the original release mainly in terms of technicalities, offering higher screen resolution settings (in the widescreen mode as well). Apart from that, the devs from Night Dive (who created this edition) implemented an option to look around with mouse, which was not present in the original release. Also, three independent control schemes were added. Many technical issues that were considered the original System Shock's main flaw were solved in the new release.
System Shock 2
RPG
August 11, 1999
System Shock 2 brings a continuation to a an acclaimed action game featuring RPG elements, combining classic science-fiction elements with cyberpunk. The second installment was once again created by Looking Glass, this time however, supported by Irrational Games. The game is set 40 years after the events depicted in the original System Shock, when the UNN military organization tries to limit the power of great corporations, using a state-of-the-art spaceship called Von Braun to do so. The player takes on the role of a volunteer who wakes up during the vessel's first flight and finds out that the crew is dead and the ship is overrun by dangerous mutants and rebellious robots. The mechanics of the original System Shock were changed to a certain degree - elements of action, role-playing and adventure games were complemented this time by a portion of features associated with the survival horror genre. Furthermore, the character development mechanics were expanded. The player chooses one of three available classes differing in skills they offer.
System Shock (1994)
Action
May 21, 1994
A cyberpunk action-adventure FPP game developed by Looking Glass Technologies under the lead of a game video industry veteran, Paul Neurath. You play as an experienced hacker who gets forcefully hospitalized and has a special implant injected into his neural system. After waking up from coma the protagonist discovers that all personnel of the medical station were slaughtered and the compound was taken over by an intelligent computer called Shodan. Easy to guess, the hero has to face the powerful digital enemy. In terms of gameplay mechanics, System Shock combines features of a typical first-person shooter, with loads of firearms, and elements of RPG and adventure game. Hence, as you play, you get to gradually develop your character’s skills and solve numerous puzzles, which are usually about finding access codes to the next section of the station.
System Shock Series News
System Shock 2 Remaster Gameplay Trailer and Confirmation of Console Versions
System Shock 2: Enhanced Edition lived to see an atmospheric trailer and a bunch of screenshots. In addition, Nightdive Studios confirmed which consoles the described title will hit.
video games
Christian Pieniazek
October 20, 2023
System Shock Remake Compared to Original; Devs Pay Tribute to the Legend
An interesting video has appeared online, comparing System Shock Remake with the original from the 1990s. It shows how close the authors of the refreshed version have stuck to the original.
video games
Adrian Werner
May 31, 2023
System Shock Remake Compared to Original; Devs Pay Tribute to the Legend
An interesting video has appeared online, comparing System Shock Remake with the original from the 1990s. It shows how close the authors of the refreshed version have stuck to the original.
video games
Adrian Werner
May 31, 2023
System Shock Remake - Stuck in Cyberspace Bug Fix
In this guide we will talk about bug, which appeared for some players – they can’t leave Cyberspace. We will tell you how to fix this bug.
How to
Damian Gacek
May 30, 2023
System Shock Remake Interactive Map
In this guide we present System Shock Remake Interactive Map. If you want to find interesting places, read our article.
How to
Damian Gacek
May 30, 2023
System Shock Remake Launches - Fans Can Breathe a Sigh of Relief
System Shock Remake debuts on the market today. Gamers who expected a game faithful to the classic original will be pleased.
video games
Adrian Werner
May 30, 2023
System Shock Remake is More of a Remaster - First Reviews Available
The release of the System Shock remake is just around the corner, and many fans have been waiting for this day for years. The first reviews of the game are hitting the web, and they do nit give a clear answer.
video games
Zuzanna Domeradzka
May 29, 2023
System Shock Remake Cheaper Before Release; Good Bargain for RPG Fans
Users who pre-ordered System Shock Remake from one of the popular stores can expect a sizable discount.
video games
Kamil Kleszyk
May 26, 2023
After Almost 4 Years, System Shock 2 Remaster Got a Trailer
Nightdive Studios has finally released the first trailer and screenshots from System Shock 2: Enhanced Edition, a remaster of the iconic 1999 game.
video games
Adrian Werner
May 21, 2023
After Almost 4 Years, System Shock 2 Remaster Got a Trailer
Nightdive Studios has finally released the first trailer and screenshots from System Shock 2: Enhanced Edition, a remaster of the iconic 1999 game.
video games
Adrian Werner
May 21, 2023