The upcoming releases ofAtomic Heartand theSystem Shockremake show how a new trend may be evolving for the subgenre of FPS games dubbed “Shock-likes.” As this subgenre continues to grow with the arrival of these two highly-anticipated dystopian sci-fi shooters, they’re likely to spark a renewed interest in these types of games. If successful,Atomic HeartandSystem Shockcould be the catalysts for a wave of new games inspired by these and other popular titles from the genre.
Other subgenres have developed around particular games from which their names draw inspiration, such as “Souls-like” deriving its name from theDark Soulsseries. The Shock-like subgenre gets its name from the originalSystem Shockreleased in 1994 for PC. While the game has spawned a sequel as well as a variety of similar titles such as theBioShockseriesand 2017’sPrey,the resurgence of the genre in 2023 with releases likeAtomic Heartand the remake ofSystem Shockdemonstrates there is still an audience for these games, and it could be expanding in the near future.
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Atomic Heart Looks to Put Its Own Spin on the Genre
Developer Mundfish seems to be giving the Shock-like genre a surrealist take withAtomic Heart’s bizarre worldof killer Soviet robots. Set in an alternate 1950s Soviet Union,Atomic Heartlooks to play upon the trope of utopia becoming dystopia that games likeBioShockare known for by showing what can go wrong when advanced technology is corrupted. The pursuit of automation of everyday life has led the world ofAtomic Heartto rely on robots to make the utopian dream of reality, but the clash of science versus humanity as a major theme of the game seems to demonstrate the price that must be paid for technological progress.
While the game appears to draw as much inspiration from theFar Cryseriesas it does fromBioShock, the heart of its gameplay, world design, and story fall right in line with what makes a Shock-like its own unique subgenre. The “man versus machine” trope is common to dystopian sci-fi settings like this one, as made popular in the FPS genre by games likeSystem Shock. Light RPG and puzzle-solving elements are another common feature of the subgenre that look to be another part ofAtomic Heart’s Shock-like identity.
The System Shock Remake Could Introduce a New Generation to the Beloved Classic
In addition to a brand-new take on the genre, 2023 also sees the revival of the title that started it all with theremake ofSystem Shockset to launch in March. Developer Nightdive Studios is adapting this classic for a modern audience that looks to preserve what made the original such a beloved title, while drawing upon the features of the games the original inspired to revitalize its core gameplay. Coming full circle in this manner setsSystem Shockup to both add accessibility for new players experiencing this classic for the first time, and pave the way for future titles to draw inspiration from.
Both of these releases could be setting the stage for Shock-likes to have a big presence in 2023 and beyond as they will likely draw new fans into the genre and remind old fans how much they’ve missed these types of games. Similarly to how Souls-likes exploded in popularity, Shock-likes could see a similar rise in both indie and AAA attention. With future titles from the subgenre likeJudascurrentlyin development, it’s clear 2023 is just the beginning for this new wave of love for Shock-likes.
Atomic Heartreleases on February 21 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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