Database / system-shock-2-25th-anniversary-remaster
System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster
Nightdive Studios, Looking Glass Studios, Irrational Games · Released 2025-06-26
Gauntlet78A composite score reflecting how strongly a mode enforces high-stakes difficulty systems, such as permadeath, Ironman rules, restricted saving, limited recovery, and other hardcore mechanics.
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System Shock® 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster is a genre defining experience that established innovative game-play mechanics that are a staple of the FPS and RPG genre today. Survive the wretched corridors of the Von Braun. Your training has prepared you for this.
Forge a permadeath runRuleForge
Build a custom permadeath config for System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster — enforced by the companion, not your honor.
Difficulty Modes
2 modes · 4 tiersA ladder of tiers, plus standalone modes that sit outside it.
Campaign4 tiers
The following tiers cover the campaign mode. There are no known permadeath or hardcore mechanics in System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster natively. However, there is a permadeath enforcement patch available here.
Tier
Maximum HealthMaximum health before flat O/S upgrades.
Maximum Psi PointsMaximum PSI points before flat O/S upgrades.
Upgrade CostCyber Module price multiplier for stat, technical, weapon and psionic upgrades.
Replicator PricesNanite price multiplier at Replicators.
Loot SuppressionChance that an enemy corpse yields no loot.
French Epstein DevicesAvailable quantity of one-use devices that modify a weapon without requiring the Modify skill.
Easy
~10545 + 10 x Endurance Cap (6)
~10610 + 16 x PSI Cap (6)
85%
85%
0%
7
Normal
~6030 + 5 x Endurance Cap (6)
~655 + 10 x PSI Cap (6)
100%
100%
10%
7
Hard
~4224 + 3 x Endurance Cap (6)
~513 + 8 x PSI Cap (6)
139%
125%
30%
6
Impossible
~257 + 3 x Endurance Cap (6)
~311 + 5 x PSI Cap (6)
179%
200%
75%
5
ImpossibleUnlockConditions to unlockAvailable From Start
Severely limits survivability and character progression, making efficient builds, resource conservation and advance planning essential throughout the game.
Tier rulesRules that apply only to a specific difficulty tier and differ from the mode's other tiers.
Reconstruction Cost10 Nanites charged when an activated reconstruction machine restores the player.
Tier statsMeasured or numerical values specific to each difficulty tier, such as health, costs, resource availability or other scaling values.
Maximum HealthMaximum health before flat O/S upgrades.~257 + 3 x Endurance Cap (6)
Maximum Psi PointsMaximum PSI points before flat O/S upgrades.~311 + 5 x PSI Cap (6)
Upgrade CostCyber Module price multiplier for stat, technical, weapon and psionic upgrades.179%
Replicator PricesNanite price multiplier at Replicators.200%
Loot SuppressionChance that an enemy corpse yields no loot.75%
French Epstein DevicesAvailable quantity of one-use devices that modify a weapon without requiring the Modify skill.5
Awards · TierRewards unlocked by completing a specific difficulty tier, such as achievements, cosmetics or additional game modes.
Achievement2.9% · Very rareComplete the game from start to finish on Impossible difficultyOpen in Achievements
Awards · ModeRewards unlocked by completing the mode on any eligible difficulty tier.
Achievement4.8% · Very rareComplete the game as an OSA AgentOpen in AchievementsAchievement6.1% · Very rareComplete the game as a MarineOpen in AchievementsAchievement11.2% · RareComplete the game as a NavymanOpen in Achievements
OptionalAn optional rule or setting that can be enabled or selected independently of the chosen difficulty mode.
PermadeathMechanic · PermanenceOn death the character or save is destroyed for good. A run reset that keeps your unlocks is not this.enableddisabledOpen in DefinitionsMechanicGame-agnostic rules that change how a mode is played rather than numerically adjusting its difficulty.Requires RuleForge Patch. Option is chosen in RuleForge and cannot be changed afterwards.
Difficulty LockingConstraint · RestrictionPrevents the selected difficulty from being changed after the mode or game has started.Open in DefinitionsConstraintA rule that restricts, contraints or removes an option the player would otherwise be able to use.Requires RuleForge Patch. Difficulty is chosen in RuleForge and cannot be changed afterwards.
Permadeath
Via RuleForgeNot built into the game. RuleForge builds a config the companion enforces, adding permadeath to a game that never shipped with it.
Companion
PlayableTested across multiple gameplay scenarios and meaningful progression, with no known critical issues.
Scoring
Negligible Challenge1–9Offers virtually no resistance or meaningful consequences for failure.Minimal Challenge10–19Provides limited resistance and remains highly forgiving.Light Challenge20–29Requires occasional attention but allows frequent mistakes.Modest Challenge30–39Presents noticeable resistance without demanding consistent precision.Moderate Challenge40–49Requires reliable execution and a reasonable understanding of the game’s systems.Considerable Challenge50–59Demands sustained focus and punishes repeated mistakes.High Challenge60–69Requires strong execution, preparation and effective use of available mechanics.Severe Challenge70–79Allows little room for error and imposes substantial penalties for failure.Extreme Challenge80–89Combines demanding mechanics with harsh consequences and limited recovery.Relentless Challenge90–100Maintains exceptional difficulty throughout, with severe penalties and almost no margin for error.Severe ChallengeAllows little room for error and imposes substantial penalties for failure.78
MultiplayersoftcoreStandard progression with recoverable deaths, checkpoints and unlimited reloads.RulesetPlayer-defined or community-curated rules applied on top of an existing mode.
difficulty 5/10
This covers the multiplayer mode. There are no known permadeath or hardcore mechanics in System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster natively. However, there is a permadeath enforcement patch available here.
Death type
Respawn
Scope
Session
Persistence
Temporary
On death, an active reconstruction machine revives the player for free.
Meta-progression lost
Mode rulesRules that apply across every difficulty tier within the mode.
DifficultyThe balance is fixed to Hard.
Player CountChoose the number of players when creating the session.
Host SaveThe host owns the playthrough's save file. Level transitions create autosaves that retain the multiplayer session data.
Locked DifficultyDifficulty is chosen when starting a game and cannot be changed afterwards.
Save rules
Save methodManual SavesYou choose when to save, and can keep more than one save.
Death typeRespawnYou come back in the same session, usually at a checkpoint or a fixed spawn point.
PersistenceTemporaryThe loss lasts until you reload. Nothing on disk changes, so loading a save undoes it completely.
Sign in to rate this mode 0–10.
Permadeath
Via RuleForgeNot built into the game. RuleForge builds a config the companion enforces, adding permadeath to a game that never shipped with it.
Companion
PlayableTested across multiple gameplay scenarios and meaningful progression, with no known critical issues.
Scoring
Negligible Challenge1–9Offers virtually no resistance or meaningful consequences for failure.Minimal Challenge10–19Provides limited resistance and remains highly forgiving.Light Challenge20–29Requires occasional attention but allows frequent mistakes.Modest Challenge30–39Presents noticeable resistance without demanding consistent precision.Moderate Challenge40–49Requires reliable execution and a reasonable understanding of the game’s systems.Considerable Challenge50–59Demands sustained focus and punishes repeated mistakes.High Challenge60–69Requires strong execution, preparation and effective use of available mechanics.Severe Challenge70–79Allows little room for error and imposes substantial penalties for failure.Extreme Challenge80–89Combines demanding mechanics with harsh consequences and limited recovery.Relentless Challenge90–100Maintains exceptional difficulty throughout, with severe penalties and almost no margin for error.Considerable ChallengeDemands sustained focus and punishes repeated mistakes.53
Games with RuleForge
Games which have been patched to enable Permadeath enforcement, Ironman, Savescum protection or other features to enhance the difficulty.
BioShock™ Remastered Negligible Challenge1–9Offers virtually no resistance or meaningful consequences for failure.Minimal Challenge10–19Provides limited resistance and remains highly forgiving.Light Challenge20–29Requires occasional attention but allows frequent mistakes.Modest Challenge30–39Presents noticeable resistance without demanding consistent precision.Moderate Challenge40–49Requires reliable execution and a reasonable understanding of the game’s systems.Considerable Challenge50–59Demands sustained focus and punishes repeated mistakes.High Challenge60–69Requires strong execution, preparation and effective use of available mechanics.Severe Challenge70–79Allows little room for error and imposes substantial penalties for failure.Extreme Challenge80–89Combines demanding mechanics with harsh consequences and limited recovery.Relentless Challenge90–100Maintains exceptional difficulty throughout, with severe penalties and almost no margin for error.46
BioShock™ 2 RemasteredNegligible Challenge1–9Offers virtually no resistance or meaningful consequences for failure.Minimal Challenge10–19Provides limited resistance and remains highly forgiving.Light Challenge20–29Requires occasional attention but allows frequent mistakes.Modest Challenge30–39Presents noticeable resistance without demanding consistent precision.Moderate Challenge40–49Requires reliable execution and a reasonable understanding of the game’s systems.Considerable Challenge50–59Demands sustained focus and punishes repeated mistakes.High Challenge60–69Requires strong execution, preparation and effective use of available mechanics.Severe Challenge70–79Allows little room for error and imposes substantial penalties for failure.Extreme Challenge80–89Combines demanding mechanics with harsh consequences and limited recovery.Relentless Challenge90–100Maintains exceptional difficulty throughout, with severe penalties and almost no margin for error.40
Deus Ex: Game of the Year EditionNegligible Challenge1–9Offers virtually no resistance or meaningful consequences for failure.Minimal Challenge10–19Provides limited resistance and remains highly forgiving.Light Challenge20–29Requires occasional attention but allows frequent mistakes.Modest Challenge30–39Presents noticeable resistance without demanding consistent precision.Moderate Challenge40–49Requires reliable execution and a reasonable understanding of the game’s systems.Considerable Challenge50–59Demands sustained focus and punishes repeated mistakes.High Challenge60–69Requires strong execution, preparation and effective use of available mechanics.Severe Challenge70–79Allows little room for error and imposes substantial penalties for failure.Extreme Challenge80–89Combines demanding mechanics with harsh consequences and limited recovery.Relentless Challenge90–100Maintains exceptional difficulty throughout, with severe penalties and almost no margin for error.78
DishonoredNegligible Challenge1–9Offers virtually no resistance or meaningful consequences for failure.Minimal Challenge10–19Provides limited resistance and remains highly forgiving.Light Challenge20–29Requires occasional attention but allows frequent mistakes.Modest Challenge30–39Presents noticeable resistance without demanding consistent precision.Moderate Challenge40–49Requires reliable execution and a reasonable understanding of the game’s systems.Considerable Challenge50–59Demands sustained focus and punishes repeated mistakes.High Challenge60–69Requires strong execution, preparation and effective use of available mechanics.Severe Challenge70–79Allows little room for error and imposes substantial penalties for failure.Extreme Challenge80–89Combines demanding mechanics with harsh consequences and limited recovery.Relentless Challenge90–100Maintains exceptional difficulty throughout, with severe penalties and almost no margin for error.53
Games with Hardcore Modes
Includes a mode or difficulty setting that substantially increases consequence and systemic burden by introducing or strengthening requirements for survival
RuleForgeBioShock™ Remastered
BioShock™ Remastered Negligible Challenge1–9Offers virtually no resistance or meaningful consequences for failure.Minimal Challenge10–19Provides limited resistance and remains highly forgiving.Light Challenge20–29Requires occasional attention but allows frequent mistakes.Modest Challenge30–39Presents noticeable resistance without demanding consistent precision.Moderate Challenge40–49Requires reliable execution and a reasonable understanding of the game’s systems.Considerable Challenge50–59Demands sustained focus and punishes repeated mistakes.High Challenge60–69Requires strong execution, preparation and effective use of available mechanics.Severe Challenge70–79Allows little room for error and imposes substantial penalties for failure.Extreme Challenge80–89Combines demanding mechanics with harsh consequences and limited recovery.Relentless Challenge90–100Maintains exceptional difficulty throughout, with severe penalties and almost no margin for error.46
RuleForgeBioShock™ 2 Remastered
BioShock™ 2 RemasteredNegligible Challenge1–9Offers virtually no resistance or meaningful consequences for failure.Minimal Challenge10–19Provides limited resistance and remains highly forgiving.Light Challenge20–29Requires occasional attention but allows frequent mistakes.Modest Challenge30–39Presents noticeable resistance without demanding consistent precision.Moderate Challenge40–49Requires reliable execution and a reasonable understanding of the game’s systems.Considerable Challenge50–59Demands sustained focus and punishes repeated mistakes.High Challenge60–69Requires strong execution, preparation and effective use of available mechanics.Severe Challenge70–79Allows little room for error and imposes substantial penalties for failure.Extreme Challenge80–89Combines demanding mechanics with harsh consequences and limited recovery.Relentless Challenge90–100Maintains exceptional difficulty throughout, with severe penalties and almost no margin for error.40
RuleForgeDeus Ex: Game of the Year Edition
Deus Ex: Game of the Year EditionNegligible Challenge1–9Offers virtually no resistance or meaningful consequences for failure.Minimal Challenge10–19Provides limited resistance and remains highly forgiving.Light Challenge20–29Requires occasional attention but allows frequent mistakes.Modest Challenge30–39Presents noticeable resistance without demanding consistent precision.Moderate Challenge40–49Requires reliable execution and a reasonable understanding of the game’s systems.Considerable Challenge50–59Demands sustained focus and punishes repeated mistakes.High Challenge60–69Requires strong execution, preparation and effective use of available mechanics.Severe Challenge70–79Allows little room for error and imposes substantial penalties for failure.Extreme Challenge80–89Combines demanding mechanics with harsh consequences and limited recovery.Relentless Challenge90–100Maintains exceptional difficulty throughout, with severe penalties and almost no margin for error.78
RuleForgeDishonored
DishonoredNegligible Challenge1–9Offers virtually no resistance or meaningful consequences for failure.Minimal Challenge10–19Provides limited resistance and remains highly forgiving.Light Challenge20–29Requires occasional attention but allows frequent mistakes.Modest Challenge30–39Presents noticeable resistance without demanding consistent precision.Moderate Challenge40–49Requires reliable execution and a reasonable understanding of the game’s systems.Considerable Challenge50–59Demands sustained focus and punishes repeated mistakes.High Challenge60–69Requires strong execution, preparation and effective use of available mechanics.Severe Challenge70–79Allows little room for error and imposes substantial penalties for failure.Extreme Challenge80–89Combines demanding mechanics with harsh consequences and limited recovery.Relentless Challenge90–100Maintains exceptional difficulty throughout, with severe penalties and almost no margin for error.53
Quick facts
DeveloperNightdive Studios, Looking Glass Studios, Irrational Games
PublisherNightdive Studios, Atari
Released2025-06-26
PlatformsWindowsSteam Deck: Verified. Valve has tested this game on the Steam Deck and it works as shipped.PlayStation 5PlayStation 4Xbox Series XXbox OneNintendo Switch 2Nintendo Switch
Languages
English
German
French
Italian
Spanish - Spain
EnglishGermanFrenchItalianSpanish - SpainFeatures
ControllerFull
Always onlineNo
MicrotransactionsNo
Split screenNo
LANYes
VRNo
HDRNo
SubscriptionNo
Requirements
OSWindows 7
CPUIntel or AMD Dual-Core at 2.0 GHz
GPUGPU with DirectX 11 or Vulkan 1.1 support
RAM2 GB RAM
DirectXDirectX 11
Storage5 GB available space
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