A faithful and essential remaster that modernizes a PC classic. While the new controller support is cumbersome, the PC and Steam Deck versions offer the definitive way to experience this legendary immersive sim, complete with restored multiplayer and thoughtful extras.
System Shock 2 stands as a pillar of the immersive sim genre, a 25-year-old classic whose influence is seen in titles like Deus Ex, BioShock, and Prey. The new enhanced edition from Night Dive serves as a vital work of game preservation, ensuring this landmark title is accessible and functional on modern hardware without the need for community patches. It works directly out of the box, a critical feature for attracting new audiences. This version maintains the core identity of the original while implementing thoughtful quality-of-life improvements and visual touch-ups.
The remaster boasts numerous graphical enhancements, including rebuilt weapon models, improved animations, and remade cutscenes that honor the original aesthetic. It also brings the game to consoles for the first time, introducing controller support. However, this implementation is a notable weakness, as the original PC-centric menus are not redesigned, leading to a cumbersome interface that may alienate newcomers. For PC players, especially on the Steam Deck where hybrid controls are possible, the experience is significantly smoother.
Beyond the campaign, this package includes a wealth of bonus content, from historical documents to the full integration of the game's original multiplayer co-op mode. While the multiplayer is not the ideal way to experience the story for the first time, its restoration is a testament to the comprehensive nature of this release. Ultimately, this remaster is a definitive and lovingly crafted package that successfully keeps a masterpiece alive for the foreseeable future, even if the transition to controllers is not entirely seamless.
