System Shock Review (Switch 2)

It was only a month or so ago that we looked at the System Shock 2 Remaster on the original Switch. Where that added some quality-of-life features and some HD filters it was still pretty much the same game. This remake of System Shock is a much more fully rounded reimagining from the ground up and a very different beast.

We’ll admit to not having played the original game before, or indeed, the System Shock remake on any other systems. In that respect we can’t comment on how this looks and runs compared to a PS5, but then you would imagine it doesn’t look as pretty by the very nature of the console. We are also aware that upon initial release the game was reported to have numerous problems regarding its framerate and some graphical quirks. Even up to a few weeks ago there were plenty of videos out there showing quite considerable stutters.

However, from what we can tell, a large amount of these issues seem to have been solved. We’ve not put the game through a framerate checker, but it is fair to say nothing as dramatic as what has been circulating around has happened during play. Apart from some very brief stutters when loading, the game seems to run in a much more stable way. It is certainly playable and at no point did something happen performance wise that effected gameplay and much of the time we played it in handheld mode.

The only bug we did encounter is the widely reported textures issue. Basically, the first time you load up the game it doesn’t load in all the textures, so you are left with a mix of HD assets and pixelated mush. Details such as numbers on keypads and text for instance are just a pixelated mess. After reloading a save though the issue has never repeated itself.

Now the game appears to be in a stable and playable state it certainly makes it easier to see what the fuss is about. You are a hacker placed onto the Citadel orbital station and charged with bringing down the Ai security system that has started to take control. Failure to do so will see the stations mining lasers used to destroy all of earths capital cities as the Ai SHODAN tries to establish itself as a god. The game plays out as a mix of first person shooting and adventure and there are light RPG elements in place as well which allow you to augment your character and take different approaches to playing.

The real strength of System Shock is the setting and atmosphere. The station is a winding mass of labyrinthian tunnels and hatches. Some of which twist and turn into huge areas, meaning you aren’t simply moving from small room to room. It’s easy to get lost or wander into areas you aren’t prepared for but that’s kind of the point of the thing. You do have map to help you and there is a certain amount of logical progression from gathering keycards and activating bridges and doors. We certainly didn’t find ourselves with no clue where to go as there was always somewhere new to explore.

It's certainly not a fast paced game and you’ll find edging around slowly and quietly to be a much more successful approach to exploration. The station is filled with mutated monsters and security cameras, and you take heavy damage from combat, so it is always vital to be properly prepared for what’s around the corner. Weapons and ammunition can be hard to come by as well so there is always the tension of potentially being overwhelmed by what lies ahead. System Shock certainly hasn’t left its survival horror routes behind.

The story mostly unfolds through audio logs from the crew that you pick up while exploring. As well as giving passwords and combination codes, they also highlight the desperation of the few surviving crew as the fast decent of the station is brought to light. You can certainly see how the DNA of the game went on to heavily influence the Bioshock series. There is also a host of junk and all manner of other items to pick up as well so it pays to search every area, even it does mean spending some time organising your inventory and converting junk into the in-game currency.

Overall, the System Shock remake is an incredibly tense and effective survival horror game. The performance may not be up to the PC or PS5 versions but its certainly running in a good enough state to enjoy now on the Switch 2. It kept us captivated and engaged throughout and there was nothing performance wise that broke that immersion. If you are a fan then it seems safe to get this now, it’s an experience unlike any other.

Overall 8/10

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster (Switch)

Long before Bioshock hit consoles, the landmark FPS horror game was System Shock 2. Tied to PC’s until now, it was a title that pushed boundaries and tried to merge multiple genres to create a unique, ambitious and unforgettable experience. Its mix of traditional FPS tropes, character-building elements and creepy atmosphere have gone on to influence many first-person games and push the boundaries of what we can expect.

The story is set upon the stricken starship the ‘Von Braun’. It is here, after some early training, that you awaken to find you have little memory and all hell is breaking lose. You are tasked with trying to get the ship back under control from a seemingly rogue AI with the help of Dr Janice Polito who guides you via radio.

The game may be set out as an FPS, but it is really more of an exploration and adventure game. The ship is a maze of fizzing wires, broken machinery and genetic horrors and it’s often best to explore slowly and carefully. Often, events will happen which helps build the environment through visual storytelling and the soundtrack also does an excellent job of getting you in the right mood.

 The environment is an interesting place to venture through but can be a little samey in terms of how it looks, so the included map is very welcome. Although, even in this remake there are no onscreen checkpoints or guidance beacons. This is very much the original game, just looking somewhat sharper. The same can be said about the controls. Originally designed for a mouse and keyboard set up, the controls are difficult to get used to. As System Shock 2 is far more than a basic FPS it requires a host of menus and pop-up options in order to play. During our time with the game this never became a natural process and quickly swapping between objects and weapons often ended in death with us trapped behind a menu we couldn’t get clear of to fight back.

The reason for this though is the game has depth. The mechanics that make the game unique are the way you can build and customise your character. Throughout the game you can pick up cyber modules that allow you to upgrade various skills such as hacking or combat as well as general strength and endurance. These are few and far between though, so you need to really think about the type of character you want to build. We struggled early on in the game as we hadn’t activated the hacking skill which meant security cameras became a major issue to pass. There’s a host of objects and weapons to pick up as well which then need to be fitted into a resident evil style inventory system box.

Combat really isn’t the games strong point though, with enemies just kind of running at you and then waiting to be hit in return. The constant spawning of enemies when you set off security alarms is also annoying as you’ll be attacked every few seconds by the same generic enemies – rather than it just alerting enemies in the area. They always know where you are as well so you can’t go and hide somewhere to wait out an alarm. You do have options for fighting though, there are no shortage of things to hit and shoot enemies with and the plasmids option gives you a host of other inventive things to play around with such as setting them on fire or using telekinesis to move objects.

Another thing to note is that the game is hard and relentless. The difficulty kicks in pretty much straight away, so getting used to the controls and menu system will have you dying multiple times early on. You can save whenever you want though (which we are pretty sure you couldn’t in the original), and there are also regeneration stations set up where you will respawn upon death. Just be warned if you respawn during a security alert enemies will rush straight to you again.

Overall, it is easy to see why System Shock 2 is held in such high regard in terms of its place in video game history. There is an awful lot here that sets it apart and you can see the influence it has had very clearly. But there ae a few sticking points. The controls are a pain and that may well put some people off as when coupled with the difficulty it can cause frustration and block progress. For fans of the genre, and especially those who love Bioshock this is pretty much essential though. If you spend the time needed to get it to click there is little else out there like it, even now.

Overall 8/10