System Shock

A sci-fi cyberpunk first-person action-adventure video game series featuring the rogue artificial intelligence SHODAN.

First-person shooter

Action-adventure

Games

2023–now

Years

Platforms

$59.99

Ø CIB

+131.9%

24M change

About

The System Shock series began with the landmark 1994 immersive sim and was followed by the critically acclaimed System Shock 2, which received various re-releases including a 25th Anniversary Edition. The franchise was revived with a complete remake of the original System Shock in 2023, followed by console ports in 2024. An upcoming remastered version, System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster, is slated for release in 2025 and 2026.

The franchise's narrative centers on the malevolent artificial intelligence SHODAN, whose megalomania threatens humanity across isolated sci-fi environments. Players navigate these spaces using a blend of first-person shooting, environmental hacking, and role-playing progression. Following the initial PC releases, strategy guides like System Shock 2 [Prima] (2000) helped players navigate the complex, non-linear level design of the starship Von Braun.

As ownership of the intellectual property transitioned to Nightdive Studios, preservation efforts led to updated compatibility releases, including System Shock 2 25th Anniversary Edition] (2017). This paved the way for a ground-up reimagining of the first game, developed in Unreal Engine 4. This modern iteration, [System Shock (2023), rebuilt the iconic Citadel Station with updated physics and enemy AI, later expanding its reach to modern consoles as System Shock (2024). Nightdive's proprietary KEX Engine serves as the foundation for the upcoming System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster (2025), which aims to restore multiplayer functionality and VR support. A physical collector's release, System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster [Big Box Edition] (2026), is planned to satisfy long-term fans of the series' physical media legacy.