System Shock, one of the first games to ever combine the first-person shooter with the RPG genre, and arguably one of the most influential games ever created, is back in an enhanced form. Night Dive Studios has taken to revitalizing the classic for release on GOG.com.
When it was originally released back in 1994, the game forever changed the face of video games, ushering in an era of storytelling, choices, and RPG elements that would eventually influence the creation of Deus Ex and Bioshock. It should come as little surprise that its creators, Warren Spector and Doug Church, were responsible for the development of many future classics.
Today, the game returns in an all new form, designed to be played on the modern PC.
"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 of System Shock supports resolutions up to 1024×768 (compared to the original 640×480), and a native 854×480 widescreen mode. Gameplay has also been streamlined with the addition of mouselook mode, and a new inventory and item management system. Assorted bugs have been fixed, and the game also offers remappable controls.
Gamers who purchase System Shock: Enhanced Edition will receive System Shock: Classic in the same package, allowing them to play the game in its original form on modern systems. Owners of System Shock 2 will also receive a 40% discount. For now until September 29, you can pick the game up for 20% less. Grab it here.