Shadowrun
Score: 78% ESRB: Mature Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios Developer: FASA Interactive / Microsoft Media: DVD/1 Players: 1 - 16 Genre: First Person Shooter/ Squad-Based
Graphics & Sound: When I first heard that Microsoft was getting its talons into yet another one of my beloved franchises (R.I.P. MechWarrior), I was instantly filled with what can only be described as absolute dread. Preconceived notions aside, I entered the beta with high hopes. After I played the beta, I thought I was going to see a different game when it came time to launch, but it was pretty much the same. My first thought was why did it have to be Shadowrun? Once again, Microsoft has gone and turned a beloved franchise into a stripped down version of its former self. Even the original Genesis and Super NES versions of the video game had more depth. Shadowrun was, I mean is, an immense world where technology and magic intertwine to form intricate stories. The look of the game gives the impression of this huge playing field when they are all really just simple kill boxes with really nice window effects. There were some maps that gave the look of being at a great height, yet they have baby bumpers that will not allow you to fall off of the map. There is not really any sound track to speak of, and I actually think that it works. There is music in the Main Menu, but it is more just filler. The voiceover work is well done. The tutorial instructions are well done and interesting.
Gameplay: In this version of Shadowrun, magic has just been reintroduced into the world. There are two factions locked in a battle over the return of magic. RNA Global seeks to control magic like a commodity that can be processed and canned for anyone who can afford it. Then there is the Lineage that fights for the magic to exist in the world without being controlled by anyone. These forces are here in Santos to find and fight over the artifact. And, then they shoot each other, that's it. The entire game is LIVE multiplayer only. Over a decade worth of material, literature, and game design for that matter and we get "shoot the other guy." Now don't get me too wrong, in my opinion they may only have half of a game here, but they have done a lot of work on that half of the game. Step away from what I feel is the stripping of a great game down to nothingness and only looking at the multiplayer experience, and then Shadowrun has some great things going for it. The place to begin, like any game, is the tutorial. There is quite a bit of material to get through here. Over these tutorials, they explain the difference between tech, magic, race and abilities. They not only hand walk you through the skills, they give you an opportunity to use what you have learned in bot matches with some decent A.I. opponents. Do not take these lessons lightly, because they are the only step between you and getting owned online. In most cases, you have many hours of single player to hone your skills; here, the tutorials and bot matches are all you have. When you first enter into a match, you will be given an opportunity to purchase tech and magic for use in the match, very much the same as Counterstrike. You may not have enough money right off the bat to get every toy you want. Be patient, and more importantly, kill to earn the money you are going to need to beef up and come out victorious. There are a lot of weapons and combinations to figure out, so get in there and fight.
Difficulty: Don't think that just because Shadowrun is a multiplayer only game that it is as easy as run forward and shoot. There is a basic balance in games. You may hear this balance broken down to the simple principle of paper, rock, and scissors. Well, here it would be paper, rock, scissors, hand grenade, nuclear bombs. This is a team-based endeavor. If you cannot find your role amongst your teammates, it is possible you may wind up dead fast, and often. Stay alive and stay close to the guy carrying the artifact to lend support. Lay down your life for your teammates and they will resurrect you for it. Stick to your strengths. If you're a runner, then run. If you're a sniper, then snipe. If you aren't sure yet, then ride the middle ground until you find your fit, but find out before your cleared and watching the rest of the match from the sideline.
Game Mechanics: Talking about mechanics in Shadowrun would be more like a book than a section, so lets stick to the items I thought were well done. As you have already heard, there are several different races to learn. Each one has very specific abilities and lend themselves to specific roles. The speed and the self-healing abilities of the elf and the toughness and sheer abuse dealing of the trolls are great for tag-teaming runs for the artifact. The humans' well-rounded characteristics are always ready to go, and the dwarf is great about dealing with pesky magic users. Getting killed is not that big of deal, and as long as you have teammates around, you are only mostly dead. Players equipped with resurrection can raise fallen teammates as long as their body is still around. So, basically once you have killed someone, you had better get the job done all the way and get rid of the body until it disappears, or they may be back to haunt you. Weapons will interact differently with the tech you purchase. Remember you don't start with much, but you can slowly build up your tech and magic as the match goes on. Teamwork is paramount. Without it you're worthless, and quite possibly you're going to be kicked by your teammates who need support and not loose cannons. So here we are, the end of it all with what most have called half of a game. I truly believe that they didn't need to use the Shadowrun IP to do this game. They just reached down into the great big bag of gobbled up intellectual properties, like a bully going through stolen lunch boxes and pulled out a gem to exploit. This game is Shadowrun in name only. It is a great multiplayer game that is well done and addictive. I enjoyed playing it. I hate the fact it isn't Shadowrun as I have come to know it for years and years and years. So my personal disappointment aside and on the merit of the gameplay alone, I have given it the score that I have.
-WUMPUSJAGGER, GameVortex Communications AKA Bryon Lloyd
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