System Shock Remake Release Date: Platforms, Gameplay, And Everything We Know
The System Shock remake has been a long time coming, but it finally seems to be around the corner as development approaches the end. System Shock is an iconic immersive sim series which began back in 1994, and also saw a sequel in 1999.
Both the SS titles were acclaimed for their complex simulation features and open-ended gameplay, essentially creating the blueprint for the immersive sim genre that titles like Deus Ex, Thief, and more built upon.
So, if you're looking forward to experiencing the title that defined a genre and some of the most acclaimed games ever made, check out the System Shock remake release date, and everything we about it.
System Shock Remake Release Date
The System Shock remake tinitially had a release window of December 2017, but developmental issues saw it pushed back to May 2020, late 2021, and then 2022.
A new release date was sketched in for 2023 and was finally the one which Nightdive Studios stuck to. The System Shock remake officially launched on May 30, 2023.
System Shock Remake Development
Click to enlargeThe remake of System Shock was first announced in November 2015, with development taking place in the Unity engine for a PC and Xbox One release. Veteran writer and designer, Chris Avellone, was only confirmed to be involved at this point.
Nightdive later began a Kickstarter campaign in June 2016 to secure more funding for the game, with a total goal of $900,000. The goal was met less than a month later, and it went on to raise a total of $1.35 million by the end, with the additional funding set to be used for macOS and Linux versions.
After the Kickstarter, the game had a December 2017 release date, but this was pushed back during that year when Nightdive announced they would be developing the game un Unreal Engine 4 instead of Unity, essentially restarting development, which also saw Avellone leave the project. Development seemed to continue, but in February 2018, the Nightdive CEO announced the game was put on hold.
Later that year at GDC, Kick explained that development had restarted with a new team due to feature creep, and the cope of the game blowing out of proportion. They also announced a 2020 release date at this time.
While more release dates were announced and missed, development seemed to be on track after 2020, with no reports of development restarting again. By late 2021, they had also found a publisher called Prime Matter.
System Shock Remake Trailers
The first trailer for the System Shock remake showcased early prototype gameplay, which took place in the starting zone of the original game. It displayed some exportation, interaction, and combat elements, but highlighted the spirit of System Shock.
The next trailer came a year later, which was a pre-alpha trailer in the Unreal Engine. It had various scenes of gameplay and in-engine shots and was noticeably more polished than the previous showing. Another alpha build trailer was released over a year later, which featured much of the same content.
A few months after the second alpha trailer, another preview trailer was released that showed the final art assets. This was released back in 2019 though, and based on recent looks at the game, some of this seems to have changed. Since then, there have been a few demo showcases, that featured extended gameplay walkthroughs.
The most recent trailer debuted at the PC Gaming Show 2022, which was a more traditional trailer combining gameplay, cutscenes, and voice-over from the main villain SHODAN. This was by far the most polished showing yet and seemed to be an indicator of the final stretch of development.
System Shock Remake Gameplay
System Shock is a first-person immersive sim, which features action-adventure and RPG elements. Players take control of a hacker who has been shipped off to a space station called Citadel Station, which was taken over by a deadly AI called SHODAN after her ethical restraints were removed.
The story is non-linear, allowing players to discover certain beats in any order depending on where they choose to explore. There's also a focus on lore that can be discovered through environmental storytelling, audio logs, text, and more.
Click to enlargeCombat can be performed with both melee and ranged weapons, letting you decide how to approach situations. This freedom of choice extends beyond combat too, as you can use the environment to your advantage based on the skills and abilities you develop as you progress.
As an immersive sim, there's a large focus on player choice within the simulated systems that have been created, meaning the game will respond to your actions consistently and allow for creative problem-solving. This also leads to emergent gameplay beyond what the devs may have intended.
System Shock Remake Platforms
Click to enlargeThe System Shock remake will have a wide release on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For PC users, it will also be available on macOS and Linux.
