Play Order (Release = Chronological)Recommended
0 / 3 playedThe games in release order, which is the recommended play order. The remake replaces the original as the version to play.
Original
- 1 System Shock 1994 Looking Glass original. Skippable now that the remake exists.
Sequel
- 2 System Shock 2 Von Braun sequel co-developed by Irrational. Buy the 25th Anniversary Remaster (2025).
Remake
- 3 System Shock (2023 remake) Current version of the first game. Start here.
About System Shock
System Shock is a first-person immersive sim series about the rogue AI SHODAN, from Looking Glass Studios' 1994 original through Irrational's 1999 sequel to Nightdive Studios' 2023 remake. Newcomers should start with the 2023 remake. It keeps the Citadel Station layout intact with modern controls and the original SHODAN voice performance.
This play order follows release order, which matches story order closely enough for one list. Play the original or go straight to the remake, then move to System Shock 2. The remake replaces the 1994 game and its 2015 Enhanced Edition for new players.
Good to know
The 2023 remake launched on PC on May 30, 2023 and on PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S on May 21, 2024. System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster launched on PC on June 26, 2025 with consoles following in July, and is the version to buy for the sequel. System Shock 3 was announced in 2015, moved from Otherside Entertainment to Tencent in 2020, and has no release date. Nightdive said in 2025 and 2026 interviews that the sequel rights sit with Tencent and described the situation as complicated.
