System Shock 2 Remaster Receives Official Release Date: June 26th 2025

Last month, we reported on the initial announcement that a System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster was in the works. Now, following new details unveiled during the Future Game Show Spring Showcase, we have more information to share, including a confirmed release date: June 26th, 2025. With this remaster, developed and published by NightDive Studios, the developers aim to update the visuals and enhance the gameplay to this beloved PC classic. Rebuilt from the ground up, System Shock 2 uses the proprietary KEX Engine, which will offer players the definitive System Shock 2 experience, with improved performance, cross-play co-op multiplayer, mod support and much more.

I Will Guide You Into My Arms

Set forty-two years after the events of the first game, antagonist SHODAN and her army of merciless mutants infest the starship Von Braun. Players embody a soldier that awakens from cryo-sleep infused with cybernetic enhancements grafted in his flesh. As you set out to unravel the mysteries of this derelict starship, you must hone your upgradeable skillsets and utilize powerful weapons, along with paranormal psionic abilities to survive the monstrous creations of SHODAN, enduring her narcissistic god complex.

KEY FEATURES

• Unknowable Horrors, In High Definition – Completely remastered visuals, extending to cutscenes and character and weapon models, with up to 4K 144 FPS support on PC and up to 120 FPS on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles.
• Might As Well Make Your Death Comfortable – The game includes settings for adjustable FOV, post-processing effects, and ultra-widescreen support.
• Armed Forces – Choose from an O.S.A, Marine, or Navy background to experiment with different playstyles.
• Misery Loves Company – Drag your friends into the hell that is the Von Braun starship in cross-play co-op multiplayer.
• Interface This – Play from the comfort of your couch with gamepad support, then celebrate with an ice-cold medical stim when you unlock 50 new trophies/achievements.
• If You Want Something Done Right – Full mod support on PC and the ability to implement community-made missions at launch.

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster will be released on June 26th, 2025, for Windows PC (via Steam, GOG, the Epic Games Store, and the Humble Bumble Store) and for PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One and Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. Fans can pre-order the game starting March 20th for a 10% discount on all above mentioned PC storefronts.

My Thoughts

I know I’ve said this before, and you’re all probably tired of hearing it, but I wasn’t a prominent PC gamer. Because of that, a plethora of iconic PC franchises completely flew by me over the years-System Shock being one of them. That’s why I find remasters like this so exciting. They offer players like me, who missed out the first time, a fresh chance to experience these classics with modern improvements. And now, with System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster finally coming to console platforms, at last I can experience what I missed back in the day, without the need for a high-end gaming rig. From what I’ve heard about this series over the years, I understand it to be one of the most influential and immersive sims, paving the way for games like BioShock, Deus Ex, and Prey.

NightDive Studios has done a great job of bringing classic titles into the modern era, and I’ve become a fan of their work over the years. Last year, I reviewed their remaster of Star Wars: Dark Forces and was thoroughly impressed with how they balanced legacy with modernity. I also loved how they handled the Turok games, and the NightDive team have proven themselves to be experts in remastering classic 90s FPS games. Given their track record, I have high hopes that this remaster will do justice to System Shock 2’s legacy and to the veteran players. Speaking as a newcomer, this feels like the perfect time to jump in.