System Shock: Enhanced Edition

Many years ago I bought this game, when PC games in Brazil were few and hard to find. Still have the cd somewhere here (can't say the same about the box) and the official strategy guide, which I got when I went to NY. Almost finished it, got stuck in some part just before the ending. Pity. Was a good game, even with its (original) old pixelated look, and now with the Enhanced features, System Shock is an awesome game, with great plot twists, devious puzzles, dazzling cyberfights, a few scapes and a great story. The lack of a mouse back then was something that made the game much more difficult, but the Enhanced version gives you the mobility to survive. And trust me, you'll need it. Shodan's stuttering electronic voice is something that will haunt you now and then (and perhaps when you sleep too). She's the enemy you'll love and love to hate. It's also the spiritual precursor of the famed Bioshock games, but I'm a nostalgic person, and System Shock will always have a place in my heart.

I have to say, as someone who was a wee child just learning the ins and outs of Mario on my Nintendo when this game came out, I was caught off guard when this game pulled me in right from the get go on my very first playthrough in the year 2020. It's incredibly immersive and you can lose hours sneaking around, exploring and putting together the pieces of the story. A joy to play. It didn't hold my hand but I never felt lost or confused. The cyberpunk overlay which feels like clutter at first, actually improved my immersion and I found myself appreciating more and more as I played. I really can't believe how ahead of their time they were with this game. I'll stop here. I really can't do this game justice by writing anymore and I'm sure it's all been said before. Buy it, appreciate it and share it with others who will appreciate it as well.

It is one of the best games I ever played, and the enhanced edition makes it even better, with great control schemes, mouse look, and updated resolution, all of these were detracting from the immersion of the original, and with the update, it's almost as if this is how the game was meant to be played. I used to run through hoops to get it running, even on DOS, and definitely later, so I was really hoping GOG will make it happen, and they did, worth every penny.

One of the most immersive and compelling video games I've ever played. Contrary to what many believe, I don't think this game has aged a bit. The controls and interface are a bit daunting at first, but they're perfectly fine once you get acclimatized. Runs flawlessly.

For some reason, System Shock 1 still tends to get overlooked in favor of its more popular sequel. This is doubly curious given that SS1 is arguably the better game. While SS2 leans heavily into RPG territory with its skill system, SS1 is a much more straightforward and focused experience. Unlike in SS2, the shooting doesn't take a backseat, as the game is very much an FPS at its core. That said, SS1 goes far beyond Doom and other FPS of its time. The levels are vast, open, and heavy on exploration, despite the path ultimately being determined. Furthermore, the environments aren't as abstract as in Doom, instead looking organic and believable, yet still imaginative. Throughout the game, one gets various neural implants augmenting the abilities of the player as well as a broad arsenal of weapons, whose effectiveness against certain enemy types varies. The game is challenging throughout yet always fair, and there is even the ability to adjust the difficulty of certain elements such as puzzles or combat independently, which is nothing short of incredible for a game released in 1994. As engaging as the gameplay is, the biggest draw of SS1 is the story. Unlike in SS2, where one had to do the bidding of a murderous rogue AI, SHODAN is the antagonist for the entirety of the game. The story unfolds in various audio logs, coupled with SHODAN mocking and taunting the player at every opportunity. Owing to Terri Brosius's stellar voice acting and the brilliant writing, SHODAN is easily one of the most memorable and unique villains in gaming. Most importantly, the game does not overstay its welcome, and ends before becoming repetitive, which is something SS2 didn't succeed in. As for the Enhanced Edition, Nightdive once again did an excellent job, albeit with a caveat. On the latest version, there is heavy stuttering when panning the view unless FPS are locked to 30. Thankfully, GOG allows one to conveniently roll back to earlier versions, where this issue does not exist.