System Shock

The majority of critics praised the story of System Shock for its immersive and engaging narrative. Critics such as CD-Action, GameSkinny, and PlaySense highlighted the tense and survival-focused nature of the story, with themes of AI control and human desperation woven throughout. The narrative was commended for its innovation, contribution to storytelling in the action genre, and the emotional stakes it raised, as noted by Dexerto and GGRecon. Additionally, the game's lore-rich story, as mentioned by Impulsegamer, and the complex narrative elements and character motivations, as pointed out by The Games Machine, were also positively received. The voice acting of SHODAN, portrayed by Terri Brosius, was particularly praised for adding depth and chilling believability to the story, as noted by KeenGamer and Guardian. On the flip side, some critics expressed mixed feelings about the storytelling approach in System Shock. GameGrin found the narrative difficult to follow due to being told through scattered notes and memos, while Slant Magazine mentioned that the sci-fi story was buried under obtuse controls and interactions that discouraged players. GameCritics also noted the limited interaction with other characters, primarily through comm chatter and antagonizing from the AI, which may have hindered the overall storytelling experience for some players. However, GameGrin also mentioned that not knowing every detail of the narrative did not detract from their enjoyment of the game, indicating that the fragmented storytelling style may have worked for some players despite its challenges. Overall, the consensus among critics leans heavily towards the positive side, with the majority finding the story of System Shock to be a standout aspect of the game. The narrative's immersive and survival-focused elements, coupled with the exploration of themes such as the dissonance between man and machine, AI control, and human desperation, resonated well with reviewers. The voice acting of SHODAN, the innovative storytelling approach, and the emotional depth added to the overall positive reception of the story. While some critics had reservations about the storytelling methods and complexities, the general sentiment remains that System Shock delivers a compelling and engaging narrative that has left a lasting impact on the gaming landscape, influencing storytelling tropes in subsequent games like BioShock, as noted by Worth Playing.

The gameplay of System Shock has received praise from several critics for its immersive and challenging elements. Critics like GamesHub and PlaySense highlight the focus on preparation, resource management, and improvisational combat encounters, reminiscent of later games like Deus Ex and Bioshock. The game offers a variety of gameplay mechanics such as exploration, puzzle-solving, combat, and hacking into Cyberspace, providing a diverse and engaging experience. The inclusion of customizable difficulty levels, intricate level design, and a balance of action and exploration, as mentioned by Gamepressure and The Games Machine, adds depth to the gameplay experience. Additionally, the game's mixture of old and new elements, as noted by Games.cz, provides a challenging and rewarding experience reminiscent of classic '90s games. On the downside, some critics have pointed out flaws in the gameplay of System Shock. Critics like Guardian and RPG Fan criticize the combat mechanics for feeling dull, static, or tiresome, with enemies lacking variety and combat encounters feeling unfair at times. The lack of clear objectives and guidance, as mentioned by GameCritics, Hey Poor Player, and Player 2, can lead to aimless wandering and frustration for players. Additionally, issues such as simplistic enemy AI, cumbersome inventory management, and frustrating hacking segments, as highlighted by GameSkinny, Press Start Australia, and GamingBolt, detract from the overall gameplay experience. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the gameplay of System Shock is mixed. While the game is praised for its immersive atmosphere, challenging puzzles, and diverse gameplay mechanics, it also faces criticism for its clunky combat, lack of clear direction, and frustrating elements like inventory management and enemy AI. Despite these drawbacks, the game manages to strike a balance between staying true to the original while incorporating modern enhancements, as noted by critics like Dexerto and Shacknews. Players looking for a nostalgic yet updated gameplay experience may find System Shock to be a satisfying choice, but those seeking more polished and streamlined gameplay mechanics may be left wanting, as highlighted by critics such as CD-Action and TRG.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of System Shock are largely positive. Many reviewers praise the game for its impressive visual upgrades and attention to detail. Critics like But Why Tho? and Dexerto commend the game for its crisp visuals, detailed models, vibrant lighting, and dynamic reflections, which bring Citadel Station to life in high definition. Gamepressure appreciates the game's excellent visual aesthetic, maintaining a 1990s futuristic look with a graphical upgrade that enhances the cyberpunk story. The retro-modern look of the graphics, as highlighted by Gamereactor UK and TheSixthAxis, successfully retains the original game's charm while updating it with modern elements like Unreal Engine 4. Despite the overall positive sentiment, some critics point out certain negatives in the Graphics and Visual Design of System Shock. GameSkinny notes that the visuals resemble an HD remaster of a PlayStation 2 game, with dated-looking mutants and human corpses. Impulsegamer criticizes the slight pixelation of some objects when viewed closely, considering it unacceptable given the current generation of consoles and PC hardware. LevelUp mentions that the excessive bloom effect in the visuals can make puzzles difficult to read, impacting the overall gameplay experience. Additionally, Metro GameCentral highlights unimpressive graphics and textures, with some clunky character animations, though the distinctive art style of the original game is retained. Overall, the consensus among critics is that the Graphics and Visual Design of System Shock are a successful blend of modern and retro aesthetics, capturing the essence of the original game while enhancing it for contemporary audiences. Reviewers appreciate the game's unique art style, immersive environments, and attention to maintaining the cyberpunk atmosphere. Critics like CD-Action and Shacknews praise the modern and polished visuals, updated level layouts, and enemy models that contribute to a beautifully grotesque and streamlined style. VG247 and Tech-Gaming highlight the mix of modern and retro aesthetics that evoke the atmosphere of the original game while offering graphical enhancements and intuitive environments. Despite some criticisms regarding specific visual elements, the overall sentiment is positive, with the majority of critics acknowledging the efforts put into preserving the personality and charm of the original designs in the remake of System Shock.

The majority of critics praised the Sound Design and Music of System Shock, highlighting various positive aspects. COGconnected commended the voice acting, especially for SHODAN, and noted that the musical score adapts in real-time to the player's actions, enhancing the immersive experience. Dexerto lauded the restored audio, creating a fully immersive experience with ghostly ambiance and unsettling mutterings, capturing the ominous atmosphere of SHODAN and the station's residents. GameSkinny appreciated the subtly menacing soundtrack that enhances tension and urgency without relying on jump scares, contributing to the immersive experience. Gamereactor UK described the music and sound design as fantastic, with particular praise for SHODAN's voice acting, enhancing the cyberpunk atmosphere. Despite the overwhelmingly positive reception, there were a few criticisms regarding the Sound Design and Music of System Shock. Slant Magazine mentioned that while the game features chilling audio logs and a strong villain, it rarely creates tension and dread, suggesting a potential disconnect in the execution of the sound design. Wccftech noted the lack of music and few included tracks, stating that they were almost non-noticeable, indicating a possible missed opportunity to further enhance the game's atmosphere through a more robust musical presence. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the Sound Design and Music of System Shock. Critics like Guardian, who praised the audio logs and voice acting for contributing to the chilling and believable delivery of the story, and Tech-Gaming, who highlighted the consistently disarming voice acting for SHODAN, showcase the widespread acclaim for the game's sound design. While there were some minor criticisms, such as the lack of music mentioned by Wccftech, the general sentiment is that the sound design and music greatly enhance the immersive experience of System Shock, with critics commending the voice acting, atmospheric soundtrack, and overall quality of the audio elements.

The voice acting in System Shock has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the majority of critics. Many reviewers highlighted the exceptional performance of Terri Brosius as SHODAN, with multiple critics praising her reprisal of the role as perfect, engaging, terrifying, and menacing. Critics such as Dexerto and Guardian specifically commended how the voice acting captured the ominous atmosphere and callousness of SHODAN, contributing significantly to the immersive experience. Additionally, GamingBolt and KeenGamer lauded SHODAN's venomous and hateful dialogue, emphasizing how the voice acting enhanced the storytelling and immersion within the game. The voice acting for other characters, such as the station's last remaining residents and the audio logs, was also positively acknowledged by Hey Poor Player, who mentioned that they contributed to the overall experience. While the overwhelming sentiment towards the voice acting in System Shock is positive, there were no significant negative opinions expressed by the critics. The lack of any notable criticisms regarding the voice acting suggests a consistent and high-quality performance across the board. The absence of negative feedback indicates a strong and well-executed aspect of the game that resonated positively with the critics, further reinforcing the excellence of the voice acting in System Shock. In conclusion, the consensus among the critics is resoundingly positive regarding the voice acting in System Shock. The majority of reviewers, including COGconnected, Gamereactor UK, and Press Start Australia, praised the voice acting, particularly for SHODAN, as exceptional, terrifying, and well-done. The return of Terri Brosius as the voice of SHODAN was widely celebrated for adding depth, immersion, and a menacing presence to the game. The positive reception towards the voice acting, without any notable criticisms, indicates a strong and consistent performance that significantly contributed to the overall atmosphere and storytelling of System Shock. Overall, the voice acting in System Shock was a standout aspect that resonated positively with the critics, further enhancing the game's immersive and engaging experience.

In terms of the technical performance on PC, the majority of critics had positive feedback. PlaySense praised the game for being free of bugs and optimization issues, offering stable technical foundation and captivating graphics. Wccftech also highlighted that the game runs well without any performance issues, showcasing a smooth experience on high-end PC setups. Additionally, The Games Machine mentioned that while technical execution could be improved, the game still ran smoothly on their PC, indicating that the game performs well on the platform. On the flip side, some critics pointed out negative aspects of the technical performance on PC. Dexerto noted occasional technical issues like frame rate drops and texture pop-ins that disrupted the flow of the game. TRG highlighted inconsistent checkpointing leading to frustrations and potential loss of progress, as well as clunky movement experienced by some players. Shacknews also mentioned issues like lack of waypoints and optimization for gamepads that hindered the overall experience. These criticisms indicate that while the game generally runs well on PC, there are still areas that need improvement in terms of technical performance and stability. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the technical performance of System Shock on PC is mixed. While some reviewers like PlaySense and Wccftech appreciated the stable performance and lack of major issues, others such as Dexerto, TRG, and Shacknews pointed out specific technical problems that affected the gameplay experience negatively. The varying opinions suggest that while the game shows promise in terms of technical performance on PC, there are areas that could be further optimized and refined to provide a more seamless and enjoyable gaming experience for all players.

In terms of positives, several critics highlighted the customizable difficulty levels and different ways to play in System Shock, which contribute to its replay value. Gamepressure and IGN specifically mentioned the customizable difficulty settings for combat, puzzles, cyberspace, and main story missions, allowing players to tailor their experience to their liking. Additionally, Metro GameCentral and GGRecon noted the presence of different difficulty levels and the option to speed run through the game, providing variety for replayability. On the negative side, GameSkinny and Softpedia pointed out potential limitations to the game's replayability. GameSkinny mentioned the simplistic enemy AI and dated visuals as factors that may hinder long-term replay value. Softpedia also highlighted the lack of clear objectives, which could disappoint some players despite the adjustable difficulty levels and freedom in tackling challenges. These aspects suggest that while System Shock offers replay value through customization, certain elements may not appeal to all players seeking extended replayability. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards System Shock offering decent replay value primarily due to its customizable difficulty levels and varied gameplay options. Critics like TRG praised the game for its impressive world design, writing, and style, emphasizing its worthiness as an update to the original game. However, concerns raised by GameSkinny and Softpedia regarding enemy AI, visuals, and lack of clear objectives suggest that while the game provides avenues for replayability, it may not fully satisfy all players in the long run. The mix of positive and negative feedback indicates that while System Shock has strengths in terms of replay value, there are areas where it could be improved to cater to a broader audience seeking lasting engagement.