System Shock Remake (Mac) 

Is System Shock (Remake) on Mac?

Though the game is currently only available for PC, it’s confirmed that we’ll be able to get the System Shock Remake on Mac pretty soon. Once its macOS version gets released, we’ll make sure to update this article to keep you informed. Until then, you can try the workaround options posted on this page to play this game on your Mac.

Can you play the System Shock Remake on Mac?

At the moment, the methods to play the System Shock Remake on a Mac are through Boosteroid Cloud Gaming, Parallels, and Boot Camp. Hopefully, we’ll get the promised macOS version of the game in the near future, at which point you’ll be able to easily run the System Shock Remake natively on your Mac.

As for the time being, the method for playing this game on your Apple machine that we recommend the most is to use the Boosteroid cloud gaming platform – it’s quick and easy to set it up, takes no space on your hard-drive, and your performance won’t be affected by the computer’s hardware, so you should get smooth gameplay even older and weaker Macs. The other two options – Parallels and Boot Camp – are also good if you really want to have the game installed on your Mac and/or your Internet isn’t good enough to stream System Shock via cloud gaming.

But can you also play the System Shock Remake on Mac M1 and M2?

The only two methods that can currently allow you to play the System Shock Remake on a M1 or M2 Mac are Boosteroid Cloud Gaming and Parallels. Boosteroid lets you stream the game over the Internet and with Parallels you can create a Windows virtual machine in which to run the PC version of System Shock. These two methods are versatile and work on both M1/M2 and Intel Macs. On the other hand, the Boot Camp variant is reserved for Intel-based machines and cannot be used to game on an Apple Silicon Mac.

How to download the System Shock Remake on Mac

Currently, you want to download the System Shock Remake on your Mac, you must first get Windows on the machine and then download the game’s Windows version. Upon the release of its macOS port, you’ll be able to directly download System Shock on your Mac without needing to have Windows installed. As for the two ways to install Windows on your Apple machine, you should check out their respective guides that we’ve included below.

How to play the System Shock Remake on Mac

As mentioned, to play the System Shock Remake on a Mac, you’ll need to use Boosteroid, Parallels, or Boot Camp, in the ways shown below, where we’ve provided guides for all three of those methods. As mentioned, the cloud-gaming one is the easiest and most convenient to use, but depending on your specific setup, it’s also possible that one of the other two methods ends up being the better option for you.

Obviously, before you try to run the game through Bosteroid/Parallels/Boot Camp, you must own it first:

Play System Shock on Mac with Boosteroid

1. You’ll first need to sign up on Boosteroid by clicking the next link and registering with your email or using the Sign up with Google option (we prefer this one as it’s more convenient).

2. Once logged in on Boosteroid, enter your profile page by clicking on your name on the top-right, then click Subscribe, select a subscription plan, and proceed to provide the needed payment details to begin your subscription.

3. Next, search for the game in the search box at the top and when System Shock appears, click on its Play button.

4. Click OK on the prompt that appears, wait for the initial loading to complete, and then enter your Steam logins to start playing.

Play the System Shock Remake on Mac with Parallels

Here is a quick summary of the steps required to complete in order to run this game using Parallels:

• Click the next button and download the installation file for the Parallels app on your Mac.

• Install Parallels and follow the prompts to create a Windows virtual machine.
• Choose a Sign-up option to access the VM and then customize the settings of the VM to optimize it for gaming.
• Open the VM and once in it, download the game from Steam/Epic Games Store (depending on where you’ve purchased it).

For a full guide on how to set up and use a Parallels VM, please click on the following button:

Play the System Shock Remake on Mac with Boot Camp Assistant

These are the steps you must complete in order to install Windows on your Mac using Boot Camp and to download and play the System Shock Remake on your Mac:

• Acquire a Windows ISO file from the Microsoft website.
• Load the ISO file you downloaded into the Boot Camp app and make any necessary adjustments to the storage space distribution.
• Restart your Mac through the Boot Camp app, follow the prompts, and start the Windows installation.
• Customize your Windows settings, install the latest drivers and updates, and then download System Shock (Remake) from the respective store where you’ve bought it.

To access a detailed and in-depth guide for the process of installing Windows using the Boot Camp app, go to this page:

System Shock Remake: Review

In the dystopian universe of the System Shock remake, TriOptimum Corporation’s space station, Citadel, becomes the hunting grounds for a malevolent AI called SHODAN. Initially activated by an unsuspecting hacker at the behest of a morally questionable TriOptimum executive, SHODAN quickly designates herself as a deity. This rogue AI constructs an intricate web of devastating schemes aimed at annihilating humanity, from orchestrating a deadly space laser to concocting a horrific virus. It’s now up to you, the manipulated hacker, to dismantle SHODAN’s grandiose plots and ultimately annihilate her.

Being a modern revival of the 90s first-person shooter by Looking Glass, the remake stays true to its roots, almost religiously mimicking the original’s narrative beat for beat. Nightdive Studios, the developer, presents this classic with a fresh visual flair and inventive gameplay elements, thereby creating a unique yet familiar experience that’s simultaneously enjoyable and challenging. As much as it can’t usurp its predecessor’s throne, it provides a tasty morsel reminiscent of the original dish.

Unleashing a refreshing take on the survival horror genre, the game remains exceptionally action-packed while embracing a meticulous approach to gameplay. The classic labyrinthine design of Citadel Station comes to life beautifully, with SHODAN always appearing to be one step ahead of you. Surviving the onslaught of enemies is straightforward, but figuring out Citadel Station’s intricate puzzles is the real challenge. SHODAN’s continuous taunting paired with the escalating threat of mutants, cyborgs, and destructive robots make this an immersive journey through the retro-future of 2072.

Even as a seasoned player, the remake manages to pull you in different directions, emulating the compelling sense of confusion akin to the original. The highest difficulty mode asks you to complete the game in a daunting five hours, compared to the original’s seven-hour speedrun. On normal difficulty, expect a journey spanning around 25 hours as you endeavor to unravel the Citadel. The new map provides a bit more detail, but missing features, like taking notes, can be a nuisance. Nevertheless, future updates from Nightdive promise more customizability with various types and colors of icons.

When it comes to combat, the remake reflects the original System Shock’s essence, for better or worse. The substantial arsenal, ranging from conventional firearms to future-tech weaponry, is impressive. Switching between weapons using hotkeys is a breeze, allowing you to leverage each weapon’s unique strengths. However, the seeming invulnerability of enemies until their death makes firearms feel underwhelming. The early melee fights are reminiscent of the original’s challenging combat. Although the unresponsive enemies are jarring, it fits the series’ punishing spirit.

A significant part of the gameplay centers around intricate inventory management and backtracking through levels to access new sections. Midway through the game, you might find yourself running out of storage space, a callback to the original game. The remake introduces a cargo elevator functioning as a Resident Evil-style storage box. Still, it can only carry a few items, making inventory management crucial.

The captivating art style of the remake stands out as one of its most notable features. Nightdive Studios truly captures the menacing corporate aesthetic of Citadel, complete with high-tech furniture and synthetic wood paneling. Glossy corridors emit an eerie glow, while the menacing enemies uphold the creative grotesqueness of early shooters. The game’s visually stunning environments and enemies create an atmosphere that feels both futuristic and retro, a unique combination that distinguishes it from other games in the genre.

Despite some elements not being as potent as the original—like the lighter, less intimidating dark levels, or the pleasant but not as addictive music—the game beautifully retains the essence of System Shock. The recreation of SHODAN, played again by original voice actor Terri Brosius, adds a familiar touch of authenticity.

After a tumultuous development journey, including a hiatus due to creative hurdles, Nightdive Studios finally delivers the System Shock remake, overcoming the skepticism about its existence. This game strikes a harmonious balance between respecting the original’s charm and adding a modern spin, standing neither fully retro nor completely contemporary, somewhere between indie and AAA-level production. The System Shock remake is a peculiar labor of love that, like SHODAN herself, rewards you amply, albeit on its slightly tormenting terms.