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System Shock reanimates on GOG thanks to Night Dive Studios

by: Sean Colleli - posted: 9/22/2015 10:07:00 AM
More On: System Shock

I'm squealing like a little kid on Christmas morning right now, which believe it or not doesn't happen often. The sublime geniuses at Night Dive Studios have managed to update and port the original System Shock to modern PCs, courtesy of GOG. The classic horror RPG has been enhanced with modern mouselook controls and widescreen support, and now supports resolutions up to 1024x768, which is a considerable upgrade from the game's origial 640x480 cap. Night Dive is making a habit of resurrecting classic games, having already worked their magic on System Shock 2 and with a planned release of the first two Turok games in the works.

When it arrived exactly 21 years ago on September 22nd 1994, System Shock was way ahead of its time--too far ahead, in fact. It pioneered the FPS-RPG hybrid gameplay that would become staples of the Deus Ex and Bioshock games, but its convoluted controls and then-staggering system requirements doomed it to obscurity. I've wanted to play it forever but getting it to run and play on modern hardware was a real hassle.

Its sequel System Shock 2 heavily inspired the Dead Space and Bioshock series, and I personally feel that Shock 2 is vastly superior to the Bioshock games in many respects, particularly its mastery of horror. Thanks to Night Dive, modern gamers can finally experience this groundbreaking series from the beginning. System Shock is available for $10 on GOG, with launch discounts available. 


 
 
 
 

System Shock premieres on GOG.com | Introducing the Enhanced Edition by Night Dive Studios

Including official mouselook and widescreen support.

Warsaw, September 22 - System Shock, the breakthrough FPS/RPG hybrid - one of the most influential video games ever produced - is back and enhanced, as Night Dive Studios unleashes yet another long-lost piece of gaming history on GOG.com.

Watch the launch trailer for System Shock: Enhanced Edition here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhRp4HT40PE&feature=youtu.be

On release, System Shock forever changed the face of action gaming - it ushered an era of storytelling, choices, and RPG elements - directly influencing all-time classics like Deus Ex and Bioshock. Today, the legend returns in better shape than ever.

"With System Shock: Enhanced Edition, we're implementing game-changing improvements, including mouselook, widescreen, and a high resolution display mode," says Stephen Kick, CEO of Night Dive Studios. "The classic game has never been more accessible to a modern audience."

The re-release supports resolutions up to 1024x768 (compared to the original 640x480), and a native 854x480 widescreen mode. Gameplay was also streamlined with a toggleable mouselook mode, including more intuitive inventory and item management. Combined with assorted bug-fixes and remappable controls, System Shock is now truly enhanced.

Some gaming experiences are truly worth preserving. Gamers can also return to the authentic 90's gameplay with System Shock: Classic - ready for modern systems, completely unaltered in all other aspects. Both releases are available in a single package, with a 40% discount for all System Shock 2 owners on GOG.com - and 20% off for everyone. The discounted offer will last until Tuesday, September 29, 6:59 AM GMT.

Finally, please join Stephen Kick (Founder and CEO of Night Dive Studios) and Paul
Neurath (Creative Director at Looking Glass Studios, and industry veteran credited on System Shock 2, Thief, Neverwinter Nights and more) for an in-depth, roundtable discussion on the System Shock phenomenon and its many influences in game design to date - on Twitch.tv/GOGcom - September 23, 6:00 PM CET, 4:00 PM GMT, 9:00 AM PDT, 12:00 PM EDT.

System Shock

System Shock: Enhanced Edition
 
 
 

GAME INFO

Title: System Shock: Enhanced Edition
Developer: Night Dive Studios
Publisher: Night Dive Studios
Genre: FPS/RPG
Platforms: PC
Release Date: September 22, 2015
Price: $9.99