Ken Levine, who worked at Looking Glass when it making System Shock, certainly never stopped trying to make System Shock, eventually giving BioShock: Infinite an ending that suggests there are thousands upon thousands of variations on this theme. It’s easy to understand why people played this game and then became obsessed with it, why you can trace some people’s careers through the game. Shodan is easily one of the best Ive ever ran into.

One of the techs used in the game Looking Glass is a not so subtle nod to Looking Glass Studios who made System Shock. We wouldnt have Prey without System Shock though.

It introduced a first-person semi-RPG adventure that would go on to inspire elements of BioShock, Half-Life, and so many other story. They dont, (Especially 1, System Shock 2 is better, but also aged roughly). There’s always a discovery - a new weapon or a vending machine or a shortcut - or at least a useful lesson lying in wait. Sadly, characters in System Shock aren’t so genre savvy.The game kicks off by having your character - known as the Hacker - remove SHODAN’s ethical restrictions. System Shock was a foundational game for a lot of reasons. I often found my way through levels mostly by accident, by deciding to turn down hallways I hadn’t gone down before. It also rewards your curiosity as much as it does your caution. You can get yourself into unsolvable situations - it’s a game that asks you to pay attention, that doesn’t always signpost the next thing to do. You can - and probably will - eat absolute shit the first time you try to make your way through the medical bay.

What really excites me when I play System Shock is how little it holds my hand. Overall, there are some new and old annoyances in this remake, mixed in with some new and old pleasures.

Shodan is not a villain system shock