On October 10, Nightdive Studios will delist the Steam version of System Shock 2, which will instead be included for free with the 25th Anniversary Remaster edition for all current and future owners. Originally released in 1999, System Shock 2 has long been regarded as one of the most influential first-person shooter games.

System Shock 2

To celebrate the game's 25th anniversary, Nightdive Studios released a remastered edition on June 26, 2025. Like the original, the remaster has received strong praise, particularly for its modernized features, including crossplay co-op multiplayer and enhanced visuals. While the two titles have coexisted since the remaster's launch, the future of System Shock 2 on PC now appears to be changing, as the publisher plans to merge them into a single product.

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The Original System Shock 2 Will Be Delisted on PC

Announced by publisher Nightdive Studios, System Shock 2 (1999) will be delisted on October 10, 2025. The catch is that the popular sci-fi horror game will become a free bonus for anyone who owns or purchases System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster. The original installment is currently priced at around $10 USD on PC storefronts, while the remastered edition costs $30 USD. Players who already own the 1999 version will still be able to download and play it after it's delisted, but new players wanting to experience the same old atmosphere after October 10 will need to purchase the remaster.

The news about the delisting has sparked backlash within the community. Fans argue that the publisher is forcing anyone who wants to buy the classic horror game to pay an extra $20 USD. Despite the criticism, the plan to delist System Shock 2 and include it as part of the 25th Anniversary Remaster edition will take effect on October 10, and fans with questions about this change are encouraged to contact Atari’s support team.

System Shock 2 player aiming weapon at robot enemy

In terms of critical reception, the 25th Anniversary Remaster of System Shock 2, now bundled with the 1999 version, has earned a score of 82 out of 100 on the review aggregator OpenCritic. It includes numerous quality-of-life improvements designed to bring the aged game in line with modern gaming standards. It also offers support for up to 144 FPS and ultra-wide screens, new achievements to unlock, optimized controller support, and three unique military branches that add variety to gameplay.

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System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster
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FPS
Sci-Fi
Horror
Immersive Sim
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Systems
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Released
June 26, 2025
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ // Violence, Blood and Gore, Language
Developer(s)
NightDive Studios, Irrational Games, Looking Glass Studios
Publisher(s)
NightDive Studios
Franchise
System Shock
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Genre(s)
FPS, Sci-Fi, Horror, Immersive Sim

Source: Steam