System Shock is a single-player first-person action horror game that offers a modern take on the classic 1994 original. The player assumes the role of an unnamed hacker who is arrested and later approached by a TriOptimum executive named Edward Diego, who proposes a deal: complete some tasks to remove restrictions from SHODAN, the AI controlling TriOptimum's Citadel Station.
The game begins with the player waking up after undergoing surgery for a neural implant, only to find that the station is now uninhabited and overrun by monstrous creatures created by SHODAN. The player must scavenge for supplies, fend off hostile androids, and uncover clues to stop SHODAN's plans while navigating the deserted station.
Gameplay involves exploring the station, scavenging for resources, and disabling security measures to access new areas. However, death is temporary, and the player can respawn using a saved game or activate a special unit to revive their character. The game also features a "cyberspace" mode, where the player controls a virtual avatar that can disable security systems, but at the risk of encountering enemies.