Although he played a crucial role in the original sci-fi first-person shooter as a playtester nearly thirty years ago, Arcane Studios’ founder Raphaël Colantonio has decided to abandon the 2023 remake of System Shock, citing “frustration” over its challenging gameplay.
To provide some background, Colantonio contributed to the quality assurance of the original System Shock during his tenure at EA in the early 1990s, an experience he regards as a significant milestone in his career.
“I was already captivated by video games when I had the opportunity to test System Shock back then, and it felt like a twist of fate that I was fortunate enough to be part of it,” he shared during his appearance on the Quad Damage Podcast (timestamped here). “I just couldn’t believe what was unfolding before me.”
When asked about his experience with the 2023 System Shock remake developed by Nightdive Studios, Colantonio replied, “A little bit, indeed.”
“I tried the version that was released a year or two back — I got stuck in the cyberspace areas, unfortunately. That gameplay was overly difficult, making me quite frustrated. However, everything else was really impressive until that point.”
In both the original and the remake, the cyberspace segments are infamous for being particularly difficult and confusing, often regarded as the weakest aspects of both games. In the narrative, this digital environment represents the interconnected space where all the world’s computers communicate and store data. However, from a gameplay perspective, they force players into intricate, maze-like 3D environments that are essential for completing main objectives and discovering valuable rewards. Adding to the difficulty are numerous tough enemies that may compel players to revisit older titles like Descent for practice.
Ultimately, I completely empathize with Colantonio’s decision to step back when he encountered that section, and I realize that I may need to do the same. You can have my gamer card; I would rather retain my sanity.
For now, here are some of the top horror games perfect for a dimly lit evening.