After arriving last year on PC to considerable critical acclaim and positive fan reception, Nightdive Studios’System Shockremake is now available on current-gen consoles. The road to theSystem Shockremake was a long and arduous one, with Nightdive practically forming just with the express purpose of reviving the franchise and making it more accessible. Nightdive would eventually form plans for both a remake of the original game and a full-fledged sequel inSystem Shock 3after remastering and porting the first two games to Steam, but more recent rights acquisitions put that sequel up in the air. That said, there’s still hope forSystem Shock 2.
Like its predecessor,System Shock 2is one of the games from the now-legendary Looking Glass Studios and also happens to be many players' first exposure tothe work of Ken Levine. FollowingSystem Shock 2’s release, Levine would go on to form Irrational Games and begin work on the title’s spiritual successor,BioShock, with Looking Glass Studios' closure leaving the rights toSystem Shock 2up in the air for nearly two decades. Now that Nightdive Studios has successfully delivered a faithful remake of the originalSystem Shock, it should come full circle and offer a modern-day reimagining of its more impactful (and arguably better) sequel.
System Shock 2’s Enhanced Edition Can Give Way to a Full-Blown Remake
In addition to bringing the original, unalteredSystem Shock 2to modern PCs via a Steam release,Nightdive Studioshas also been busy developing an Enhanced Edition ofSystem Shock 2. Now that the ground-up remake of the originalSystem Shockis out in the world and on consoles, it stands to reason that the studio’s efforts will be put toward gettingSystem Shock 2: Enhanced Editionout the door, but there’s no reason to stop there. Even though Nightdive no longer has the rights to original games using the System Shock IP, it does still have the ability to reimagine the groundbreakingSystem Shock 2.
A full-blown remake ofSystem Shock 2could even use the lessons learned from remaking the originalSystem Shockto help it release in a fraction of the time. The development delays of theSystem Shockremake were primarily caused by the switch from the Unity engine to Unreal Engine 4, but thesuccessful launch ofSystem Shockmeans that a lot of the heavy lifting toward aSystem Shock 2remake has already been done. UsingSystem Shock’s faithful adherence to its source material as an inspiration, aSystem Shock 2remake could improve the already solid foundation and give the game a modern visual uplift while leaving what still works intact.
Judas' Upcoming Release Gives Cause for Nightdive to Strike While the Iron is Hot
Ken Levine’s next game,Judas, might still be a ways off in terms of its release date, but that’s done little to dissuade the anticipation of fans expecting yet another excellent first-person shooter/immersive sim hybrid from the famed developer. AndJudasis far from the only upcoming title that has a clear throughline to the likes ofSystem ShockandBioShock, withinXile Entertainment’sClockwork Revolutionright around the corner as well. In terms of drumming up excitement for the games that owe a debt of gratitude toSystem Shock 2while also paying homage to the sequel as a pivotal release in gaming history, a remake ofSystem Shock 2could kill two birds with one stone.
Tencent’s acquisition of theSystem Shockrights means that players will likely never get the chance to experience Nightdive Studios' vision forSystem Shock 3, but the studio’s tenure with the franchise is far from finished. After releasingSystem Shock 2: Enhanced Editionon PC and consoles, there’s every reason for Nightdive to ride the wave of hype forKen Levine’s next gameand pay homage to his past with a faithful remake of the groundbreakingSystem Shock 2.
System Shock (2023)
WHERE TO PLAY
System Shock is the fully fledged remake of the ground breaking original from 1994, combining cult gameplay with all-new HD visuals, updated controls, an overhauled interface and all-new sounds & music; it even has the original voice actor of SHODAN, one of gaming’s most iconic villains. Witness the rebirth of one of the greatest and most influential games ever created.A first-person fight to the death in the depths of space!SHE IS SELF-AWARE AND AWARE OF YOUMeet SHODAN: The psychotic AI has taken control of Citadel Station and turned the crew into an army of cyborgs and mutants; She now plans to do the same to Earth. You must explore and battle your way through the depths of a space station gone to hell. Stop SHODAN and avert humanity’s destruction.HER TERMINATION IS OUR SALVATION
