System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster

The year was 1999 when Ken Levine penned the sci-fi horror FPS that would leave a lasting impact on the gaming world. BioShock, released 15 years later, owes its creative DNA to this groundbreaking title. Now, thanks to the masters at Nightdive Studios, System Shock 2 is back in our midst, and it's easier than ever to experience this pioneering game.

As you embark on your journey through the starship 'Von Braun', you'll find yourself at the helm of a soldier suffering from amnesia. Your mission? To work your way through the environment, uncovering secrets and piecing together the narrative alongside Dr. Janice Polito via radio transmissions. This is merely a slice of the overarching story, and trust us, Levine's penchant for twists and turns will have you on the edge of your seat.

The gameplay is a masterful blend of exploration, combat, and RPG mechanics. As you delve into Von Braun, each main area presents its own unique atmosphere, making it an absolute joy to explore every nook and cranny. We'd recommend toggling that mini-map for when you're feeling lost; the environments might look a tad 'samey' at times, but trust us, they're worth getting lost in.

The ambient soundtrack perfectly complements the sense of place, with retro Blade Runner-inspired tracks setting the tone for an immersive experience. But be warned: taking your time and navigating carefully is crucial. Enemies like Hybrids, Monkeys, and Rumblers lurk around every corner, and surveillance cameras will hinder your progress at every turn. Shoot them out if you wish (or clobber them with a crowbar), or hack into the security systems to disable them temporarily.

Hacking is an intricate process, done by switching nodes to light up three in a line – but failing on a red-outlined 'ICE' node will shut down the terminal completely, raising the alarm and locking you out until you're able to repair it. It's tense stuff, indeed.

Combat, however, struggles to keep pace with the rest of the game. By virtue of its vintage, encounters often boil down to whacking enemies or shooting them until their health drops to zero, with enemy AI doing little to avoid your attacks. But combat is never the primary focus here – and you shouldn't play a game like System Shock 2 for that alone.

That said, the game can be pretty difficult at times, so make sure to either lower the difficulty setting down to 'easy' or save manually whenever you can. And if you're after a true challenge, then 'impossible' mode is ready and waiting – though we'd recommend activating those Regeneration Stations for an extra boost.

The game also offers complete control over character abilities. You can increase stats across four key areas: Tech, Weapons, Psi Powers, and O/S. And if that's not enough, you can also boost your core stats like strength and endurance – all achievable via collectable Cyber Modules or Nanites gathered from dead bodies and crates.

Nightdive's revival of System Shock 2 retains the original's essence while introducing small yet key enhancements. The game works surprisingly well with traditional console controls on the Switch, though we'd love to see mouse controls introduced in future updates – a minor quibble that wouldn't affect our overall experience.

The addition of cross-play across all platforms is a welcome change, although you'll need a room code to access online sessions. Having a friend by your side will make those higher difficulty settings much more manageable, though. And with the built-in microphone on Switch 2, in-game chat has never been easier.

The visuals are near-perfect, with rock-solid 60fps performance and enhanced graphics that bring Von Braun to life without sacrificing its core identity. Visuals might look slightly sharper in docked mode, but the handheld experience is more than capable of delivering crisp visuals – even at this age.

Lastly, the 'Vault' is a treasure trove of supplemental material, including concept art, trailers, early screenshots, unused assets, sound clips, and interviews. And as an added bonus, you'll have access to a 290-page Prima strategy guide, scanned for your convenience – because sometimes, it's nice to have some extra help.

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is a must-play for fans of BioShock, and for gamers looking to experience one of the finest FPS titles of all time. With its excellent narrative, immersive mechanics, and Nightdive's expert enhancements, this game will keep you hooked from start to finish – minor combat concerns aside.