Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 81 | 102 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 88% | 81 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 91% | 85 | 249 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Mar 26, 2026) · 249 reviews sampled · 181 total reviews in window · weighted 165.7 up / 16.5 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (52)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 60
- 90
“System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is a wonderful way to experience one of the most well-regarded FPS titles of all time. With an excellent narrative and a world that begs to be explored, it's not only an incredible game in its own right but should also be considered essential reading for BioShock fans.Minor combat concerns aside, System Shock 2's immersive mechanics will keep you hooked from start to finish, with Nightdive's enhancements and supplemental material providing ample bonus points. Now go play it, insect.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster will be a nostalgic trip to the past for some, and a visit to an interactive museum for others. Either way it’s worth to look past some archaic solutions, respect the developers’ approach and reach the ending of one best games ever.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“A classic it may be, though it never quite manages to be as memorable as its equally punishing predecessor despite coming close. Between its crass difficulty, clashing gameplay systems, and at-times-puzzling implementation, System Shock 2 is a game that aims to take the player’s breath away but winds up running dangerously low on oxygen instead.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“PC gamers may have been enjoying System Shock 2 for decades, but now it's time for console owners to get in on the fun. There is no escaping the fact that this is a true PC experience. The UI and menu system are intertwined with using a mouse, and try as they might, Nightdive Studios' method works as best as it possibly can. There was a very good reason why BioShock had to streamline a lot of the features from its progenitors. These developers are wizards for making it work at all. Some of the early game may feel a bit floaty and could put off some players, but sticking with it is unbelievably rewarding as the protagonist becomes a cybernetic monstrosity. Sometimes it's better to become one with the machine than to fight it.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“System Shock 2 managed to be as decisive and influential a game as its predecessor, helping to define trends and inspire a legion of subsequent titles. This statement, I'm happy to say, becomes even stronger and clearer after spending a few hours playing this remaster.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“System Shock 2 Remastered it's a part of videogame history and still holds up as an interesting experience.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster stays true to the original’s eerie vibe and immersive sim core, but takes a step back by skimping on modern quality-of-life tweaks, making the $30 price tag feel like a stretch compared to the modded classic. Suppose you’ve got cash to burn, grab the remaster to back Nightdive’s game preservation efforts. If your wallet’s crying, the original’s still there, ready to fill you with cosmic dread.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is a fantastic way to revisit one of the most influential games ever made.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“On a technical level it does exactly what it sets out to do and does it very well. The game itself remains an important release that would lead directly into iconic titles like Bioshock and thus makes for a fascinating historical curiosity. But it is important that you approach System Shock 2 from the right perspective, keeping in mind its ambition at the time of its original release.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“In short, System Shock 2 is better than ever in its remastered form. It managed to win me over, even though certain aspects have inevitably aged over the past quarter of a century and the graphics scream the late '90s. Despite its minor flaws, it has aged more gracefully than many of its contemporaries and absolutely still deserves its place on the imaginary Walk of Fame of video games. On top of that, it’s easier to recommend to newcomers than its remade predecessor.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Still a classic, but a little of that vital weirdness is gone.”
read full review ↗
Fintendo
Nintendo Life
GRYOnline.pl
RPGamer
Cubed3
Pizza Fria
Gamesource Italia
Gameffine
Push Square
NintendoWorldReport
KonsoliFIN
Eurogamer…and 40 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- Patch 1.3Mar 26, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Patch 1.3 - Public Beta AnnouncementDec 18, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster - Patch Notes 1.2Aug 21, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster – PC Patch #2Jul 10, 2025significant · resets scoring window
- System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster - Patch 1.0.1Jun 27, 2025significant · resets scoring window