System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster

Still a classic, but a little of that vital weirdness is gone.

This light touch remaster makes a perfect pairing with Nightdive's far-reaching System Shock 1 remake.

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is a fantastic way to revisit one of the most influential games ever made.

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is a wonderful way to experience one of the most well-regarded FPS titles of all time. With an excellent narrative and a world that begs to be explored, it's not only an incredible game in its own right but should also be considered essential reading for BioShock fans.Minor combat concerns aside, System Shock 2's immersive mechanics will keep you hooked from start to finish, with Nightdive's enhancements and supplemental material providing ample bonus points. Now go play it, insect.

System Shock 2 is every bit the incredible experience you've always heard it was, despite the times where it gets in its own way, and Nightdive's 25th Anniversary Remaster is far and away the best way to experience it.

The remaster runs at a stable frame rate, which helps engagement; however, System Shock 2 is in desperate need of a full remake.

System Shock 2 managed to be as decisive and influential a game as its predecessor, helping to define trends and inspire a legion of subsequent titles. This statement, I'm happy to say, becomes even stronger and clearer after spending a few hours playing this remaster.

A classic it may be, though it never quite manages to be as memorable as its equally punishing predecessor despite coming close. Between its crass difficulty, clashing gameplay systems, and at-times-puzzling implementation, System Shock 2 is a game that aims to take the player’s breath away but winds up running dangerously low on oxygen instead.

In short, System Shock 2 is better than ever in its remastered form. It managed to win me over, even though certain aspects have inevitably aged over the past quarter of a century and the graphics scream the late '90s. Despite its minor flaws, it has aged more gracefully than many of its contemporaries and absolutely still deserves its place on the imaginary Walk of Fame of video games. On top of that, it’s easier to recommend to newcomers than its remade predecessor.

System Shock 2 returns with a fresh look, featuring new high-definition textures and controls adapted to the limitations of gamepads, but the debut of the iconic sequel on consoles is anything but unmissable.