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System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster PS5 review - the horrors of AI
System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster PS5 review - the horrors of AI

Metro

time2 hours ago

  • Entertainment
  • Metro

System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster PS5 review - the horrors of AI

One of the best PC games of the 90s has been remastered for consoles, as Nightdive Studios gives the sci-fi horror sandbox a well-deserved makeover. Ken Levine is an influential, but increasingly forgotten, figure in video games. Starting his career working on Thief: The Dark Project at Looking Glass, he went on to co-found Irrational Games, which made System Shock 2, before leading development of the BioShock franchise. As CVs go, his is not short of highlights, and while the immersive sim genre he helped invent never quite found mainstream appeal, players who enjoy it can be almost fanatical about it. Levine is set to return with the upcoming game Judas, but meanwhile remaster masters Nightdive Studios have been working on keeping his System Shock legacy alive, with a full remake of the first title in 2023. That stopped short of the more ambitious reboot they'd intended in their Kickstarter campaign, but its generally warm reception was enough to ensure the sequel would get similar treatment. System Shock 2 was originally released in 1999, and while Nightdive's aspirations for its 25th anniversary edition once again had to be scaled back – and released a year late – it is finally here. As such, it provides a fascinating window into gameplay that helped shape the current generation, not to mention Half-Life 2, which came out five years later and most certainly owes it more than a nod. Set 42 years after the events of System Shock, you're a solider aboard the UNN starship Von Braun, waking from hyper sleep to find the place overrun by zombie-like human-parasite hybrids, deranged psionic lab monkeys, and killer robots. Your job is to figure out what happened and try and make your way through the carnage to survive. Once again, you find yourself pitted against corrupt AI, SHODAN, but this time you also have to contend with the Von Braun's rogue computer, Xerxes, and in a foreshadowing of BioShock's structure, a single human survivor, Dr Janice Polito, whose disembodied voice issues instructions and rewards from afar. Her vocal delivery is wonderfully cynical, calmly dismissing the ghosts of the recently deceased crew members you occasionally see, as 'self-hypnotic defects', telling you not to let them distract you from the tasks she's assigned you. It's a compelling set-up and prepares the stage for a game where every single word counts. The audio logs that deliver the majority of the game's lore also contain essential tips and passwords to open doors. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. It means you're always paying close attention to everything that's going on, which helps emphasise the profoundly unsettling atmosphere. Along with the noises and occasional explosions of the decaying UNN Von Braun, the game's fast drum and bass theme music is so jarring it adds to an overriding sense of wrongness. You'll also find the hybrids who continually try and kill you apologising as they do so. 'Sorry', they say, and 'Run', as they lay into you with guns and iron bars. Just as alarming are the lab monkeys, their lurid purple brains exposed through their trepanned skulls, multitudes of whom you'll need to beat to death with a spanner. The more you notice, the more disquieting it is. It makes Nightdive's choice to add four-player co-op with cross-play pretty baffling. For a game so dependent on its sense of creeping dread and the need to dwell on occasionally subtle clues in its environments, adding the knockabout fun that automatically occurs when two or more people get together in a first person shooter seems antithetical. When you're laughing it up with friends, the Von Braun becomes a playground rather than the intended retro-futuristic haunted house. It does help offset the difficulty though, which has in no way been dumbed down from the original. Fights are frequent and often deadly, ammo and medical supplies are scarce, and the packets of crisps and soft drinks you find only heal a single hit point. It's just as well every section of the ship has its own regeneration room, where you respawn after dying, and once you unlock the key to surgical tables that heal you free of charge, you discover things aren't quite as brutal as they initially appear. What really impresses though, are the systems that make up its sandbox. For example, another new addition is your choice of career background, which influences the stats your character has at the start of the game. They provide the foundation for quite different builds, from the gun-toting marine to the physically weak psionic-focus of the OSA. Although inadvisable for a first play through, once you work out which psi powers work best, by the mid-game some of them can become comically over-powered. The downside of the latter approach is that you'll regularly have to navigate the game's over-engineered menus. Finding and selecting a new psionic power is a faff when you're standing in an empty room. In combat, since menus don't pause the action, it's a shortcut to getting yourself battered to death by mutants. Its insistence on mapping the stand-still-and-lean-around-corners button to the one most first person games use to sprint, is similarly inhumane. More Trending Graphically, and in keeping with its status as a remaster rather than a remake, things have been polished instead of reinvented. Cut scenes are much sharper looking, as are enemies, guns and scenery, but they all still have the unmistakable low-poly blockiness of the late 1990s. The most important thing though, is that what made the game such a landmark in the first place is still entirely present. That includes its labyrinthine level design. You eventually discover that sections generously loop back on themselves, creating shortcuts after long and gruelling periods of exploration, and that you can safely dump spare inventory items in the lift that acts as a bridge between those vast floors. That doesn't prevent each new area you discover from feeling genuinely intimidating though. Despite moments of mechanical clunkiness, and the occasional odd design decision, System Shock's 25th Anniversary Remaster is a reminder of how much sophistication was possible even with pre-millennial technology. It's still utterly engrossing to play, and with so many different possibilities to experiment with, invites multiple playthroughs. This is a sensitively made and bug free remaster that should delight devotees of the 90s original and curious newcomers alike. In Short: A meticulous and polished remaster of the classic sci-fi survival horror, which retains the original's atmosphere and complexity while adding new mod cons, most of which enhance the experience. Pros: Level design that feels fresh and refined even today. Wonderfully dark ambience and environmental storytelling. Systems that allow for an inspiring variety of character builds. Cons: Very difficult compared to most modern games. Four-player co-op is fun but annihilates all hint of atmosphere. Menus remain a headache to navigate. Score: 8/10 Formats: PlayStation 5 (reviewed), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, and PCPrice: £23.99Publisher: Nightdive StudiosDeveloper: Nightdive Studios (original: Looking Glass Studios and Irrational Games)Release Date: Out now (PC), 10th July 2025 (consoles) Age Rating: 16 Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. MORE: The 10 best summer video games to play if you're missing the heatwave MORE: Halo team promises 'official scoop' on series' future later this year MORE: Fans call Steam Summer Sale 2025 'mid' but there's a reason it seems so bad

The Switch 2 May Signal the End of Physical Games
The Switch 2 May Signal the End of Physical Games

WIRED

time28-05-2025

  • Business
  • WIRED

The Switch 2 May Signal the End of Physical Games

May 28, 2025 6:30 AM Nintendo's 'game-key cards' may end up being physical gaming media's last gasp—even though they don't have a game on them at all. The Nintendo game-key card and the Nintendo Switch 2 console. Courtesy of Nintendo One of the biggest changes of Nintendo's generational leap to the Switch 2 is the new console's game carts. Not the aesthetic shift—they're now red, to differentiate them from the original Switch's slate gray ones—but rather that, in many cases, they won't contain a game at all. While all first-party Nintendo games are currently expected to be released on-cart, other publishers may choose to release their Switch 2 titles on 'game-key cards.' These have no actual game data on them, instead serving as a physical license to access and play a digital version of a game. Per Nintendo, after players insert the game-key card into their console, they'll be prompted to download the associated game. An internet connection will be required to download the game and for any online features, but otherwise, game-key card titles will be playable offline as normal, so long as that physical cartridge is inserted, its presence serving as a software authentication tool. It's a direction that has proven controversial with both fans and some developers (former Assassin's Creed and Far Cry lead Alex Hutchinson said, 'I think it's sort of lame,' while Nightdive Studios CEO Stephen Kick said the move is 'a little disheartening') and could be confusing for consumers, despite Nintendo's plans to clearly mark the packaging of game-key card titles. However, the move does have several positives—and it may just be a harbinger of the future for the entire games industry. Better Than Literally Nothing Probably the biggest plus point to game-key cards is that they're an improvement on the current equivalent, which is … nothing at all. Switch cartridges are a proprietary storage format, which means they can be more expensive, per GB of storage, to release games on than mass-market media. As a result, several game publishers sell titles in a 'code in a box' format—entirely empty Switch cases with a single-use, digital download code to redeem on the Nintendo eShop. While these sorts of releases ostensibly fill a market gap, giving real-world retailers a product to put on shelves and, even for online sellers, providing some form of physical object to send to customers—useful to give out as gifts, for instance—they've always been an odd category. Collectors typically want an actual game on their shelves, while those unbothered by a permanent library would likely be browsing a digital-only storefront in the first place. Either way, once that code has been redeemed, the customer is left with an empty plastic case with no purpose and no secondary market value. Code-in-a-box releases are ultimately a waste of materials to produce and dispose of, the remnants likely destined for landfill. Game-key cards go some small way to solving these problems. For collectors, they'll have something in the case lining their shelves, making their collections tangible, while more casual players can take a chance on titles they're unsure of. That's because the carts won't be tied to user accounts—anyone with the cart downloads their own copy of the game. Because the cartridge itself is the key, you'll be able to lend out, sell, or trade-in game-key cards as easily as carts for previous console generations, and only whoever physically possesses it will be able to play. There is still a convenience factor to consider, as you'll need to have that cart inserted into your Switch 2 to play the game, unlike entirely digital purchases, but it stands to be a far more versatile and arguably consumer-friendly approach than those one-time codes. We'll have chance to see which format players prefer with the first wave of Switch 2 titles, as titles like EA's Split Fiction sticks with the code-in-a-box approach. The biggest concern surrounding game-key cards, particularly for collectors, is likely to be longevity. A 40-year-old NES game cart can still be played on a working console—will the same be possible for a Switch 2 game in 2065? A game-key card would, presumably, still authenticate an already installed game to run (in this hypothetical, your Switch 2 console is still intact and working decades from now, too), but if the servers aren't running anymore to enable downloading the linked software in the first place, that cart would be useless—just more e-waste. However, Switch 2 games could still be available to download for a long time. There's precedent here—although the Wii virtual store has long since been deactivated for new purchases, players can still download their existing purchases. Similarly, 3DS games and even update data can also be redownloaded, more than a year after its online store was turned off. Those might represent different scenarios, given digital purchases on those earlier platforms were tied to the specific piece of hardware. (For example, Nintendo says you need "the same Wii console you used to originally download the game" to redownload.) Nintendo has since adopted an account-based structure for Switch 1, linking purchases to the user who bought them, and transferable to a new console. That leaves game-key cards in a sort of limbo, unaffiliated with either hardware or user. That could throw up unforeseen hurdles in the much longer term—there'd be no way to predict when a game-key card in the wild would be plugged in and need a game to download—but based on Nintendo's track record for supporting digital games on retired hardware, there doesn't appear to be anything to be immediately concerned about, especially when backward compatibility on Switch 2 is looking like a priority. It is fair to wonder why, if publishers are releasing a game on a cart at all, they wouldn't just put the game on there anyway. There are likely some practical reasons to explain this, though. Like the original Switch, the proprietary format again means cards that include flash memory to store game data on are more expensive to produce, so it's a way to keep production costs down. Don't expect a consumer benefit from that, but it will make business sense, somewhere. Pushing the Limit Then there's the matter of storage limits. Switch 2 carts can hold a maximum of 64 GB of data—double the total internal capacity on the original Switch console itself, but still pretty meager compared to game sizes now. Some studios have performed some dark compression magic—CD Projekt Red has crammed Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition , which weighs in at over 70 GB on PC, down to just 56.8 GB on Switch 2 to be one of the few third-party titles shipping with the full game data on the card—but other games may be larger than an actual Switch 2 cart could hold. Games exceeding the capacity of physical media isn't unique to Nintendo. The recent PS5 release of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle has only 20 GB on-disc, which sounds paltry when you consider a PS5 disc can hold up to 100 GB of data, but not when the installed size of the game is over 120 GB. Bethesda's Doom: The Dark Ages, too, ships with only 85 MB of data on the game disc (although there, the full install potentially could fit on a disc). However, like Nintendo's game-key cards, both of these prompt players to download the actual game in full. It's worth remembering that even when a game's data is on a disc or cart at launch it's rarely the full and final version of a game nowadays. Even for single-player titles, day-one patches, updates, bug fixes, and bonus DLC can drastically change a game after release (which raises philosophical questions for preservationists too—which iteration do you save?) and require more storage space. As data demands continue to balloon, we may have reached the limit of physical storage for video games, so game-key cards (or discs) may be the best we get. In that light, Nintendo providing any material release at all is actually a small win for fans of physical media, especially given how boxed-game sales have absolutely cratered. Industry analyst Mat Piscatella highlighted in January 2025 that spending on physical games in the US has halved since 2021 and is down 85 percent on a 2008 high. In the UK, a recent study by trade body UKIE found that physical sales accounted for just 4 percent of total spend in 2024 and represented a 34 percent fall year on year. Increasingly, consumers are choosing to go digital even when a physical option exists. Even collector's editions, those bastions of physical media, are now abandoning physical copies of their game. Sony's upcoming Ghost of Yōtei costs $250 for the premium package and still provides just a download code for the game itself. Physical releases are becoming an afterthought. These shifts in consumer and corporate behavior absolutely raise questions about game preservation and long-term access to the games we play, but those questions apply across the whole industry. As it stands, Nintendo's game-key cards may end up being physical gaming media's last gasp—even though they don't have a game on them at all.

7 games to play as you wait for Doom The Dark Ages
7 games to play as you wait for Doom The Dark Ages

Time of India

time12-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Time of India

7 games to play as you wait for Doom The Dark Ages

(Image via Bethesda Softworks) Doom : The Dark Ages hype is real, but there's still some time for its release. It has left the fans craving some high-octane signature chaos, and this list here is to fill that void. The list mentioned below takes a dive into the 7 explosive FPS titles that are known to channel similar adrenaline-pumping energy. It does so through retro vibes, relentless combat, and sci-fi carnage. From some remastered classics to modern games, here is the survival guide for your wait. Quake II Remastered Quake II - Official Trailer (2023) The game is a revival of Quake II by Nightdive Studios. It delivers the nostalgia-packed punch, with the definitive edition bundling the upgraded visuals, expansions, and the new MachineGames campaign. The blast through Strogg hordes with the gameplay tweaks that's silky-smooth. It also includes a handy objective compass. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AI guru Andrew Ng recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around in 2025 Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Quake II Remastered is a fast-paced and no-frills action that remains timeless. Whether you are diving into online multiplayer or exploring the remastered levels of N64, this game is the way to experience the FPS brilliance from the '90s. Metro: Exodus Metro Exodus - Launch Trailer I PS5 Swap the hellscapes for the nuclear winter in the game. The atmospheric trilogy blends perfectly the haunting open-world exploration and claustrophobic tunnels. Scavenge through, survive, and then fend off the mutants under the eerie skies that are enhanced by the ray tracing in Enhanced Edition. Metro: Exodus is the gripping story of sacrifice and hope that pairs perfectly with the tense combat. It's a slower burn than Doom but is equally gripping in the grim immersion. Halo: The Master Chief Collection Halo: The Master Chief Collection - The Ultimate Halo Experience With this game, you get a chance to relive the sage that truly redefined the console shooters. The anthology packs 6 Halo games that are remastered with modern enhancements. The battles of Master Chief against Covenant offer varied sandbox combat, legendary set pieces, and iconic weapons. From the depth of Halo 4 to Combat Evolved and its simplicity, the game is the masterclass within evolving gameplay. It is perfect to hone the one-army instincts before Doom The Dark Ages is released. Wolfenstein: The New Order Wolfenstein: The New Order - E3 Trailer Wolfenstein: The New Order perfectly blends the machinegames' brutal gunplay with the signature heartfelt story. Dual-wield the shotguns, dismantle mechs, and then topple the dystopian regime in the alternate 1960s. The crusade of B.J. Blazkowicz balances the stealth and also the all-out carnage. While the quieter moments do explore humanity amidst the war, the frenetic combat of the game channels the spirit of Doom. It is a must-play for fans of the action storytelling and headshots, which are quite satisfying. Dusk DUSK - LAUNCH TRAILER The Indie game nails the FPS vibe of the '90s with a modern twist. The battle cultists and the Lovecraftian horrors across 3 blood-soaked episodes. From sickles to the explosive rifle arsenal, it feels both inventive and classic. Dusk's aesthetic hides a clever level design and the breakneck pacing. It doesn't just imitate the past but elevates it and makes every single shotgun blast and secret hunt a thrill. Titanfall 2 Titanfall 2 Single Player Cinematic Trailer The cult classic of Titanfall 2 merges the fluid movement with the Titan warfare. The wall run, pilot towering mechanics, and campaign slides are creative and appreciative. The skill-based chaos of the game is why it still shines years later. While it is shorter than Doom, the kinetic combat and its seamless scale-switching together make it essential prep for the rumored mech battles of Doom The Dark Ages. Note: Your speed is your survival here. Supplice Supplice - Official Early Access Launch Trailer The game is born from the modding passion and channels the DNA of Doom through the retro-futuristic lens. Drill here through the alien hordes in the character of Zorah Null, wielding some absurd weapons across pixel art and trippy words. The game delivers clever callbacks and relentless action to the players. With abundant secrets and a killer soundtrack, the game is fresh and yet offers the familiar rush. It is proof that Indie devs do understand the heart of Doom— no plot twists. Just some unhinged pure carnage. While Doom The Dark Ages is soon going to be released on May 15, 2025, the seven titles above offer all, from unapologetic chaos to storytelling. Whether you are craving innovation or nostalgia or are feeling like something to shoot, the lineup here will ensure your wait feels less hellish and more like a preparation.

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