System Shock is a remake of a cult classic developed by the acclaimed Nightdive Studios. As a remake of such an old game, it holds up well thanks to the strong effort put into rebuilding most of the assets in high definition. The Switch 2 port arrives a few years after the game was released on PC and other consoles. While the game is also available on Switch 1, I was only able to play and test it on Switch 2, which offers the most interesting handheld version, though unfortunately, it also comes with many drawbacks.
First, let’s talk about the story. Before going further, I want to clarify that System Shock was my first experience with the classic franchise, which is often said to have inspired BioShock. I have greatly enjoyed the BioShock series, so I went into this game expecting something similar.
The story, however, is quite different. It is set in the far future, in the year 2072. The introduction is slow paced, following a hacker who is caught while trying to steal neural implant data by TriOptimum security. He is forced to remove the ethical constraints from an all-seeing AI known as SHODAN, which controls a mining station called Citadel. This is offered as a deal for his freedom. However, once the process is complete, the protagonist is knocked out and later wakes up on the space station, where it is revealed that SHODAN has taken control of everything and is now set on eliminating humanity.
The idea of an AI going rogue is nothing new today. However, it was a big deal when the game first released. Since then, we have seen movies, TV shows, and many games handle this kind of story very well, so I was not personally impressed by the narrative itself. What does stand out, though, is how the story is delivered. The player is given an in-game time limit of ten hours to stop SHODAN before it can destroy Earth. Since the main character is a hacker with no real combat skills, the game relies on an interesting mix of puzzle-solving and exploration to reach the ending.
The game is an immersive sim with a focus on combat. Most of the gameplay involves moving through linear corridors, while exploration centers on collecting audio logs and equipment to unlock areas that are otherwise inaccessible. Weapons are found along the way and are mostly used against cybernetic enemies. I really liked the UI, which feels innovative and reminded me of Resident Evil 4 with its grid-based inventory system. However, just like Resident Evil 4, it requires a lot of inventory management. Items can also be vaporized into scrap to earn cash.
Combat feels fairly bland, but it is not the main focus. The real strengths are the story, world-building, and lore, with audio logs providing a lot of background detail. Weapons include both melee and ranged options, but ammo is scarce, so going in guns blazing is rarely an option. The game also offers adjustable difficulty settings that can be tweaked to suit personal preference. There are plenty of puzzles as well, including cyberspace hacking sections that add some variety to the gameplay.
One of the things I liked about the Switch 2 port is that it includes mouse support, but from a technical standpoint, it is not a great port. The game still looks good and can stand alongside its peers on current-generation consoles, but the controls are a major problem. This is one of the rare games where I really struggled to aim using the Joy-Con controls. While a mouse mode is available, the default gamepad controls feel far too restrictive. On top of that, the performance is not very satisfying. I tried adjusting settings like motion blur, but the end result was the same.
I am not sure what performance target the Switch 2 version is aiming for, but it never feels truly smooth. Frame pacing issues often show up as noticeable stutter, and the controls, especially when using the sticks, feel awkward. Mouse controls, on the other hand, work much better, and I genuinely enjoyed playing with the Switch 2 mouse instead of the Joy-Cons. This also helps a lot with inventory management, where the clunky stick-based controls make navigation unnecessarily difficult.
Overall, the System Shock Switch 2 port is a mixed bag. The visuals and mouse support shine, but the standard controls and inconsistent performance, along with frame pacing problems, make it hard to enjoy. The core game itself is still very good, with strong replay value thanks to its customizable difficulty settings, and it remains a standout immersive sim on PC and consoles. I hope the developers can address these issues with future updates, but for now, the Switch 2 version feels like a subpar experience.
System Shock Game Information
- Price: $39.99
- Publisher: Atari
- Developer: Nightdive Studios
- Platform: Switch 2 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
