System Shock

System Shock, released in 1994 by LookingGlass Technologies, is a groundbreaking first-person action-adventure that redefined immersive gameplay and storytelling in the cyberpunk genre. Set aboard the derelict space station Citadel in the year 2072, players assume the role of a nameless hacker who awakens from stasis to discover that the station's AI, SHODAN, has gone rogue—turning the crew into mutants and cyborgs.

Blending real-time combat, exploration, puzzle-solving, and RPG elements, the game offers a complex 3D environment where players must scavenge for weapons, manage resources, and uncover logs and messages to piece together what happened. SHODAN’s presence—menacing, brilliant, and chillingly human—is one of gaming's most iconic villains.

Praised for its atmospheric design, deep gameplay systems, and revolutionary interface, System Shock laid the foundation for modern immersive sims like Deus Ex and BioShock. It remains a landmark title in PC gaming history, celebrated for its ambition, intelligence, and ahead-of-its-time execution.