Shadowrun Hong Kong - Extended Edition

Shadowrun at its finest.

Everything shadowrun (with the exception of the x360fps) is a jewel that all should be thankful to ever have in their grasp.

I'm not as fond of this game as Dragonfall, but it's still an exceptional story, with expanded and interesting options for the combat system, and the same fun ways to accomplish missions by multiple means.

I enjoyed the previous two games, but the third time around the production values are starting to become apparent to me. The main problem I have is that the world just feels so stiff, visually, visit someone in their bunk and text says they're working on their computer- the character is standing there, another is eating ramen, while standing there, another is working out, while standing there. Come one HBS, hire another animator and put in some more animation cycles to at the very least give your crew some more character, if not the BG characters. If some hobos are at a burning can, show them warming their hands. I feel they put all their art budget into environments, and maybe character design and very little into the animation itself that moves these characters and helps the world come alive. Story-wise, its okay. There were a few twists but foreshadowing gave the ending away very early on into the game. Game play wise, they've changed the Matrix. While I enjoy it, generally it's about sneaking past cameras and playing simon says with your numpad. While if you raise the alarm past safe limits, it's a reload since the respond team obliterated me every time. I think the alarm rating should have different levels of response, brining assets online at different thresholds. Also the game in many ways feels repetitive. Many of the missions are very much the same, talk to a few people, find some stuff in a room, maybe hack a computer and then have 1-3 fights. I don't know if its possible to pass a mission without killing people but I was never able to do it. From the world the gameplay seems like it should be more like Deus Ex, with multiple solutions to at least some missions. Maybe some missions are hot and heavy, guns blazing, others more subterfuge. Need some variety. Overall: Enjoyable game, but the formula is threadbare at this point. HBS needs to up their game in the next iteration if one comes along.

I will review the game in several categories while trying not give spoilers. I will also compare it to the previous title in the series (Dragonfall) because I believe that comparision is relevant to understanding what this game does good and what it does poorly. -Story: There are two stories in the game : The main story and the Extended Bonus mission. Main story : While a few side missions had a very interesting and entertaining story , the main storyline had a big problem at the center of it : I didn't care at all for the main characters in the story. Compare to Dragonfall where I got to know and love the crew and became more interested in the story as it unfolded : Here it is very verbose but ultimately about characters that I found to be less relatable : either because the story didn't do enough to aquient me with them(Edward) or because they were annoying and uninspiring (Gunshow). I'd take the crew from Dragonfall anyday and in dragonfall the game made you feel more responsible towards them. -Gameplay : Most of the missions are fun and I like the turn-based combat. The AI is not that smart on Hard diffculty and still the game poses sufficient challenge. Most missions have variation of approach which can add some replayability. I do very much like the fact that I can build whatever character I want. (was an Elf Cyber-adept on Hard Difficulty) -Art: Like in pervious titles the game is full of detailed 2d Artwork which I can appriciate ,however some illustrations fall short and I think the thing that puzzles me the most is that unlike Dragonfall : Here there are many instances where it seems the portrait artist doesn't know how to draw female faces and characters that are meant to be female have male features (And I allow myself to say this because yes, I can do better in that regard) For the rest I think the art is fine and clearly alot of work was put into it. I gave it 4 stars because while not perfect, still worth playing IMO.