System Shock Remake: Is there a time limit? System Shock Remake guide, tips
Are you worried about the time limit imposed by System Shock? On this page you will learn in which cases it will be active, as well as what rules govern it.
Last update: 15 June 2023
A time limit mechanic is a controversial and polarizing topic in the gaming community. Many of them believe that the presence of an in-game timer negatively affects the fun, and also introduces unnecessary tension into the gameplay. Many of you will be pleased to know that the time limit mechanic is completely optional in System Shock Remake. You decide whether you want it at the very beginning of the adventure, when configuring the game's difficulty level.
On this page, you will find out which of the options enable the time limit and what is the active time limit option.
How to activate and how does the time limit work?
When starting a new game in System Shock Remake, you will be asked to choose a difficulty level. Instead of a single, general slider, the game will allow you to customize selected aspects of the gameplay, on as many as 3 levels in terms of the offered challenge.
As for the time limit, the Mission category will be important. Here, by choosing Setting 3 (the most difficult), you will be given a demanding time limit lasting only 10 hours during which you must defeat the sinister SHODAN.
If you fail to defeat the main antagonist - the game is over and you lose.
In addition, the setting also turns on the permanent death, which can be negated only when you discover a Restoration Bay on a given floor.
Read more about Restoration Bays on the What are the consequences of death? page. You can learn their locations by using our interactive map.
Important - we don't recommend choosing the option with the time limit enabled to all players who are new to the System Shock universe! This challenging restriction requires you to be able to very efficiently navigate from one story objective to the next. Permanent death will also force you to unlock the Restoration Bays on each successive floor as quickly as possible.
If you are playing for the first time, you will certainly have better fun just wandering around the map and discovering the secrets of the station at your own pace. You can read more about difficulty levels on the Difficulty levels page.