Video Games
‘System Shock’ Remake Has Gone Gold, Will Launch May 30 on PC
Much like the wait for Dead Island 2, the journey for Nightdive’s long-in-development System Shock remake is almost over. The developer has announced today that the remake of the 1994 classic (which started development back in 2015) has gone gold, meaning that the game will be ready for its May 30 launch on PC via Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store.
Pre-ordering the PC version will also net you a copy of Nightdive’s upcoming System Shock 2: Enhanced Edition.
As for the console version of System Shock, Nightdive still has not announced when the game will arrive, though more details are expected “in the future” for the PlayStation and Xbox releases.
The story for the game takes place in the year 2072. You are a nameless hacker, and you’ve been caught while attempting to access files concerning Citadel Station, a space station owned by the TriOptimum Corporation. However, in exchange for the dropping of all charges (and a military grade neural implant), you are tasked with hacking SHODAN, the artificial intelligence that controls the station. After hacking SHODAN, removing the AI’s ethical constraints, you are given the implants and put into a healing coma. You wake up six months later on board Citadel, and all hell has broken loose.
The System Shock remake combines the cult gameplay of the iconic original game with all-new HD visuals, updated controls, an overhauled interface, and all-new sounds and music. Never-before-seen enemies, quality-of-life gameplay tweaks, a revamped hacking system, and visceral new combat options featuring a brutal dismemberment system also await players new and old.
Kinetic Games has followed through with the 13 Willow Street map rework for Phasmophobia today, which is free across all platforms. Accompanying the map rework is the first of two major quality-of-life updates bringing hundreds of bug fixes and helping refine the gameplay experience.
Ghost hunters can prepare for a refreshed investigation experience with the reworked Willow map, adding a host of new paranormal interactions, objects, and hiding spaces. As with the most recent overhaul to 6 Tanglewood Drive, Willow retains an almost identical layout but features redesigned rooms, including a reconfigured basement layout, bringing the gameplay experience up to the team’s current development standards.
The reworked rooms include an art studio, home gym and entertainment room, replacing the bedroom, garage and basement previously featured in the haunted house. Alongside these visual updates, curious players will be able to uncover new lore hidden throughout Willow, piecing together a story waiting to be discovered.
“As part of the 13 Willow Street rework we’re continuing our approach to storytelling in Phasmophobia and developing the game’s narrative,” said Anastatia Dukakis, Senior Narrative Designer at Kinetic Games. “It’s always exciting to see the community make new discoveries together and we love seeing everyone share their theories and thoughts on the lore behind in-game locations.”
Players will also be tasked to correctly identify (and survive) 50 ghosts as part of map’s challenge, awarding the Sun Seeker ID set upon completion. Players can also unlock the Cool Cat ID card and badge for the first week after launch, by watching 2 hours of Phasmophobia streams.
Meanwhile, the major update accompanying the map rework is inspired by community feedback following the Player Character Update, and reflects Kinetic Games’ ongoing commitment to delivering the level of quality players expect before Phasmophobia leaves Early Access.
The update introduces a range of changes helping to refine the gameplay experience with refreshed animations allowing for smoother and quicker movements, and changes to evidence collection for a more seamless experience, and ghost hunters might also face a new presence lurking in the shadows…
New keybinds have also been added with players now able to use 1,2,3 and 4 for changing inventory slots alongside wider accessibility tweaks. For an overview of all the fixes landing in-game, you can check out the blog post here.
Phasmophobia is available in Early Access on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5 and PlayStation VR2, and the Xbox Series.