Currently available for PC, the remaster is based on the 1999 classic action RPG from Looking Glass Studios and Irrational Games. Players control a soldier onboard the Von Braun, who awakens from a cryopod to an infestation by an unknown alien parasite. Working with Dr. Janice Polito, they work their way through the structure, but things aren’t as they seem, and it isn’t long before an old friend comes calling.

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster supports up to 4K resolution and 120 frames per second on Xbox Series X/S and PS5. It also features controller support, a revamped UI, and visually enhanced character models, environments and animations. You can also explore with other players via co-op (complete with cross-play).

Check out our review of the PC version for more details. We gave it a nine out of ten for retaining everything that made the original great while enhancing the experience.

Unlike Nightdive Studios’ remake of the first game, System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is a lot closer to its inspiration’s aesthetic. It doesn’t channel the chilling and isolationist horror of the Von Braun with a new aesthetic so much as to enhance what’s already there, in effect showcasing what made the original so fantastic. It’s another feather in the developer’s cap, an excellent remaster, and well worth the trip, even if those older design choices may occasionally frustrate.

"Knowing when and where to employ firearms isn’t even a question of frugality – it comes from knowing the different areas of the Von Braun. How its onboard computer XERXES will respond with automated security. How The Many will assail you, even with simple infected crew members (known as Hybrids) wielding pipes and shotguns."

It’s 42 years after the disastrous events of the first game. The chance of rogue artificial intelligence attaining sentience (and suitably judging their human masters) is a worry of the past, thanks to the UNN. The original TriOptimum is gone, but a new owner has acquired its assets and licensed to create a faster-than-light ship, the Von Braun, to explore new horizons. It’s all well and good until they arrive on Tau Ceti V and become overrun by a parasitic life form that calls itself “The Many.” When you awaken from cryosleep, the FTL ship and the Rickenbacker, a UNN vessel piggybacking off the former, have effectively joined this hive mind.

You have amnesia upon exiting the cryotube, but your story doesn’t begin there. Instead, it starts with the character creation process, where you can learn the ins and outs of gunplay, traversal, repair, and inventory management. After deciding which unit to join – Marines for more straightforward gunplay, the Navy for hacking and repairing, and the OSA for psionics – you can embark on different “missions,” adding a little more color (and starting stats) to that military career.

From a narrative perspective, it’s not exactly the most thrilling, especially next to the first game’s Hacker and their predicament. Nevertheless, it gets the job done and offers a much better set-up for role-playing as your own character. You’re still effectively voiceless throughout and can only project your terror onto the protagonist, but it works well enough for what System Shock 2 wants to accomplish.

Because, like in every good role-playing game, no two choices are the same. Sure, you can invest in Strength for more inventory space and harder-hitting melees, which comes in handy with the wrench. Those Cyber Modules could also be invested into Standard Weapons to handle a handgun and shotgun, which will become essential for dealing with armored threats like security robots (but then again, there are other choices to circumvent them). Even repairing seems like a good idea, especially since weapon breakage is a thing, but you won’t really know how valuable Hacking can be until you step into the Von Braun. I opted for the Marines, embracing the firearms (and wrench-swinging) lifestyle, but the ammo isn’t infinite, even with Replicators that exchange Nanites for ammunition.

Knowing when and where to employ firearms isn’t even a question of frugality – it comes from knowing the different areas of the Von Braun. How its onboard computer XERXES will respond with automated security. How The Many will assail you, even with simple infected crew members (known as Hybrids) wielding pipes and shotguns. The original game’s developer, Looking Glass, designed System Shock 2 to serve as a dungeon crawler, albeit in space. However, there’s also a bit of Deus Ex thrown in as you hunt down keycards and access codes, backtracking to previously locked areas. It’s a testament to the excellent level design that these never felt tedious – even after venturing back to open up R&D and find another potential survivor, new threats emerged, keeping the tempo and pacing fresh.

"The Many’s voices also remain as haunting and chill-inducing as ever – one of the many highlights of the voice acting and sound design (outside of you-know-who). The audio logs also offer some decent performances, and though they’re serviceable at best, they work incredibly well at setting up the events leading to the Von Braun’s downfall."

I was also surprised at how easy it was to get used to the movement, melee combat and gunplay, even with some janky hitboxes when wrench-whipping some monkeys. The weapon degradation is a bit of a mixed bag for me. I don’t outright hate it because there are avenues to mitigate the same (and the repair mini-game is a unique dot-connecting exercise) but having the shotgun break after about seven shots or so in the early going felt annoying. Nothing like the “click, click” sound with shells in the weapon and a combination of radiation and shotgun-wielding Hybrid to make my day.

Though starting fairly deprived, System Shock 2 offers several worthwhile avenues for power. An OS upgrade for more bullet damage is as worthwhile as one that provides resistance to radiation and toxin build-up. Psionics is a whole other area of expertise entirely with Pyrokinesis, Cryokinesis and even Soma Transference for leeching health off enemies, not to mention all the ways you can augment your character’s stats (including the reduction of weapon degradation). It could be something that every build dabbles in depending on their needs but remains challenging as a starter.

Investing Cyber Modules into stats, skills, and upgrades becomes gradually more expensive over time, and there’s no respec (past the little undo button before finalizing your choices). Don’t have enough Modules to use that cool new shotgun you’ve been lugging around? Better progress forward to get more (and not die). These locked-in choices can feel harsh if you invest in a build without knowing how to leverage it for all the challenges ahead, relying heavily on the wrench to get you through most encounters. However, the progression itself is smooth, steadily increasing your power while maintaining the survival horror experience.

And really, I can’t praise System Shock 2 enough for how it handles horror. It could be the sudden appearance of a Hybrid, which could be easy enough to deal without until you whiff the first swing and it gets some successful hits on you, never mind those with grenades. But even when you fully master their movesets, their appearance and cries to be released from The Many’s control remain unsettling and pitiful throughout.

The Many’s voices also remain as haunting and chill-inducing as ever – one of the many highlights of the voice acting and sound design (outside of you-know-who). The audio logs also offer some decent performances, and though they’re serviceable at best, they work incredibly well at setting up the events leading to the Von Braun’s downfall.

"As the intended experience, though, System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is everything that made the original great – just better-looking and a smoother experience."

So we’ve established that System Shock 2 is a phenomenal game, but what about Nightdive Studios’ work? Outside of the vault for viewing concept art and the early pitch, it’s done a pretty good job sprucing up the environments while maintaining the aesthetic. Textures are cleaner, and character models overhauled – the Hybrid doesn’t look as emaciated or desiccated as the original, but they’re still sharp. The UI’s readability and clarity are also great, especially with the overhauled item art.

Performance is also flawless at 1440p and 120 FPS. You only have options for enabling Ambient Occlusion and Bloom, adjusting the gamma and selecting the video driver, but the overall presentation and fidelity are very good. I didn’t really get a chance to jump into co-op, so if you’re picking it up to play with other people, maybe wait for more impressions to drop before jumping in.

As the intended experience, though, System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is everything that made the original great – just better-looking and a smoother experience. Even if the likes of Prey or Deus Ex haven’t spoiled you, it’s a great way to appreciate how far the genre has come and a genuinely enthralling, terrifying and cerebral experience in its own right.

This game was reviewed on PC.

In a new BlueSky post, the developer revealed that it “encountered issues,” prompting a delay for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. It’s currently “working to address these issues as quickly as possible,” and targeting the first two weeks of July for the console versions. “We’ll update everyone as soon as we have a set launch date.”

As indicated by the name, System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster revamps the original classic with improved visuals, from weapons and animations to the environments. Alongside 4K resolution support, it also offers up to 120 FPS on Xbox Series X/S and PS5 and up to 144 FPS on PC.

You can also look forward to an overhauled UI, mod support and co-op for up to six players. Stay tuned for more details and updates on the console versions in the coming weeks.

Players can team with up to three other friends and roam the Von Braun as a unit, tackling its horrors together. Or you could accidentally trigger five robots, prompting a teammate to leap in and blow themselves up to take them out.

Sky’s the limit and whatnot, but as weird as co-op would seem in a single-player classic like this, it works surprisingly well. Best of all, there’s support for cross-platform multiplayer.

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster will arrive on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Stay tuned for more details and gameplay on co-op before launch.

Death Stranding 2: On The Beach

A new Kojima Productions title is like an event unto itself, and Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is no exception. Bigger, weirder, brimming with new concepts and gameplay mechanics, it takes Sam Porter Bridges to a new continent to attempt to reconnect it. A heavier focus on action, new traits and proficiency levels, new BTs, a day/night cycle, deeper stealth mechanics, changing weather, new characters, Magellan Man – all of this is only scratching the surface. One thing is for sure, though – it’s distinctly Hideo Kojima. Death Stranding 2 arrives on June 26th for PS5.

Mario Kart World

Everyone expected Grand Theft Auto 6 to roll in with an $80 price tag, but as it turns out, it was-a Mario all along. Based on the tens of millions that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe sold, Mario Kart World is unquestionably the killer app. And to be fair, Nintendo hasn’t been slouching in terms of evolving the mechanics. Tracks are now part of a large open world, teeming with optional activities, collectables, and challenges. Tons of new racers and karts await alongside cosmetics to unlock. The core gameplay is rife with new power-ups, moves, and even things like Rewind. There’s a lot here, but is it enough? We’ll find out when Mario Kart World launches on June 5th alongside the Switch 2.

Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour

Is Welcome Tour going to be a surprisingly fun experience like Astro’s Playroom? Most likely not, but as a playable exhibit gamifying all the mechanics of the Switch 2, Nintendo could do worse. With mini-games and quizzes, it promises a learning experience into everything that makes up Nintendo’s console. “Free” would have been the best price point, but as it stands, $10 isn’t too much to ask. Let’s hope it offers some bang for our buck when it launches alongside the Switch 2.

Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut

Like a Dragon has evolved beyond the confines of Yakuza into brand new locations and gameplay mechanics, but Yakuza 0 remains timeless. It’s coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 as the Director’s Cut, packing new cutscenes (some of which provide a sense of closure, per the voice cast) and English voiceovers. You can also team up with other players in online PvE battles, selecting from 60 characters. Don’t let the fact that it was originally launched in 2015 distract you from playing arguably the best Yakuza game in the franchise.

MindsEye

How can a game generate hype despite the lack of extensive gameplay and details, especially about two weeks from launch? Your guess is as good as mine, but Build A Rocket Boy’s MindsEye has inexplicably figured it out. The idea of a single-player action adventure in a futuristic city from Leslie Benzies of Grand Theft Auto fame is certainly appealing, make no mistake. But MindsEye could end up sublimely brilliant or precisely what the short teasers have revealed. Either way, we’re keen to see the result when it launches on June 10th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine – Master Crafted Edition

As if upcoming updates for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, like the free Horde-like Siege Mode, weren’t enough, Sega, Relic Entertainment, and SneakyBox are bringing back the original Space Marine. Launching on June 10th for Xbox Series X/S and PC for $40, the Master Crafted Edition features improved visuals, including 4K resolution support, remastered audio, and modernized controls. It also packs in all the DLC, like armor sets, Golden weapons, Map Packs, and Chapter Packs, and promises cross-play for its 8v8 PvP matches. While it’s a shame that PS5 players will miss out, Space Marine 1 is a must-play for any fan of 40K.

The Alters

Numerous teases of conflicts and gruesome outcomes later, 11 bit studios’ oft-delayed sci-fi survival/base-building title The Alters is finally launching on June 13th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. As Jan Dolski, players arrive on a hostile planet and discover the rest of their crew dead. With no other recourse to managing the giant moving base and needing to outrun a deadly sun, he creates Alters – each a living, breathing Jan with unique skills, occupations, wants, needs, and mood swings. Harvest materials meet their demands, survive various hazards, and maybe you make it back home with all limbs intact.

FBC: Firebreak

Years after Control, the Hiss still occupies the Oldest House. With resources depleting and no other options, the Bureau turns to Firebreak, which ventures into different locations to tackle paranatural threats. As a three-player co-op shooter, players choose a Crisis Kit, Perks, and weapon before diving into a Job, from destroying hundreds of thousands of sticky notes to stopping a powerful Furnace. It’s a new initiative for Remedy, better known for its single-player titles, but with no FOMO, a $40 price, and free content updates, FBC: Firebreak may be worth checking out when it launches on June 17th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC.

Lost in Random: The Eternal Die

Zoink’s underappreciated Lost in Random is getting a rogue-like sequel courtesy of Thunderful, and this time, the focus is on the former Queen. Now going by Aleksandra, she’s trapped inside the Black Die. Together with Fortune, she must escape its four regions, facing various enemies and bosses to escape. With more than 100 relics to custom, fast-paced real-time action and the same gorgeous art style, Lost in Random: The Eternal Die launches on June 17th for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition

Who could have thought that Night City, in all its glitz and gore, would ever become playable on a Nintendo console? Probably not PS4 and Xbox One players who can’t experience Phantom Liberty. Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition brings the base game to Switch 2 players with every update and the acclaimed expansion, with relatively decent performance. Best of all? The physical version contains the entire package on a cartridge. No Game-Key shenanigans. Like every other Switch 2 title, it’s out on June 5th.

Rematch

Sifu developer Sloclap’s newest title is something…unexpected. Launching on June 19th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, Rematch is a soccer (or football for the rest of the world) title where players compete in 5v5 matches. Promising an accessible experience with deep mechanics and a focus on player skill, its open beta saw a positive response on Steam last April, with almost 134,000 peak concurrent players. Here’s hoping the game can capture that magic and keep the momentum going, especially at $30.

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster

Almost six years after its announcement, System Shock 2’s enhanced edition will launch on June 26th for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch and PC. Now known as the 25th Anniversary Remaster, it includes mod support on PC, new Trophies and Achievements, Ultra-widescreen support, and 4K resolution support. PC players can select 144 FPS, while Xbox Series X and PS5 can opt for 120 FPS. If it’s as compelling as System Shock remake, expect System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster to be another winner.

Tron: Catalyst

After the visual novel mystery of Tron: Identity, Bithell Games is back with Tron: Catalyst, an action-adventure take. This time, players control Exo, who gains the Glitch, a mysterious power that could upend the Arq Grid. With beat ’em up mechanics, light cycles and the ability to rewind time with glitches, Catalyst could be another solid addition to the franchise when it launches on June 17th for Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and PC.

Street Fighter 6 Years 1-2 Fighters Edition

With Mortal Kombat 1 support ending and Tekken 8 recovering from Season 2’s changes, Street Fighter 6 remains the premiere mainstream fighter. It’s coming to Switch 2 on launch day, and along with all DLC fighters from Years 1 and 2, it includes cross-play and two exclusive modes. Gyro Battle has players fighting with gyro controls and Calorie Contest, which is pretty much the same but with a calorie mechanic. Regardless, you still get an excellent fighting game with a stellar roster (including the upcoming Elena) and some great online features.

Zombie Army VR

For those still gaming in VR, be it on Steam, Quest 2 or PlayStation VR2, Rebellion’s Zombie Army series should help fill the increasing void. Out on June 12th, the campaign is new but offers the same World War 2 weaponry and over-the-top action of the franchise, complete with gruesome X-ray Kill Cams. There’s only two-player co-op, but it’s better than nothing.

The latest trailer was revealed during the Future Games Show Spring Showcase and offered comparisons between the classic and remaster. The character models, weapons and animations have improved tremendously, while some environments look much ickier and more alive than before.

As for other enhancements, System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster on PC supports up to 144 frames per second, Ultrawide displays, additional support for mods, Achievements, and more. You can also expect improvements to controller support and other quality-of-life improvements, including for the UI (which is also visually more appealing).

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster will be available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Stay tuned for more details and gameplay in the coming months.

Its Steam listing also confirmed several new technical details, like additional mod support, 50 Achievements, “optimized” support for controllers and quality-of-life improvements. The characters, weapon models, and animations have been enhanced, and frame rates up to 144 FPS are supported alongside Ultrawide-screen displays.

The Xbox Store listing also confirms 4K Ultra HD and 120 FPS support alongside Smart Delivery. A release date is still pending, but Nightdive will share more on March 20th at the Future Games Show Spring Showcase. Stay tuned until then.

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is coming to Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

Considering the original, developed by Irrational Games and Looking Glass Studios, launched in August 1999, the remaster could arrive this year. It’s being developed for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Nightdive is no stranger to the franchise – following System Shock: Enhanced Edition, it remade the classic in 2023 to significant praise. The 25th Anniversary Edition won’t feature as extensive an overhaul to the visuals and gameplay, but it will run in 4K/120 FPS and Ultrawide screen support. It will also update the cutscenes and include numerous fan mods (including high-resolution textures).

Stay tuned for more details and updates. Check out our review for System Shock remake in the meantime.