Shadowrun Hong Kong - Extended Edition

Having loved Shadowrun ever since I played and beat (several times) the 1993 SNES version, it's difficult to remember why I didn't immediately grab Shadowrun Returns when it came out. As a matter of fact, I didn't get into the series until Dragonfall: Director's Cut went on sale (Steam). I also didn't realize that it was a stand-alone game, thinking that the Director's Cut was a *combo* of both the first and second games and I was getting both games at a great discount (I know now that they are separate games). I enjoyed Dragonfall. It was a good game, had that great Shadowrun atmosphere, story, and turn-based combat that I really enjoyed (big Fallout/Fallout 2 fan). Of course, after finding out that Dragonfall was the 2nd game in the series, I wanted to check out the 1st and 3rd games. I was disappointed to read the low reviews of these games however, with most reviewers/players preferring the 2nd game over the others. Still, when the GOG sale came around to snag Shadowrun Returns and Shadowrun: Hong Kong Extended for less than ten bucks, I couldn't pass it up. Man, am I glad that the lower reviews didn't impact my getting them. Shadowrun Returns was much better-paced than Dragonfall, and it had a great Shadowrun feel to it that felt closer to the SNES version (that I love so much). However, Dragonfall was still a better/longer game with good improvements on the game mechanics overall. After taking my Elf Decker, Cursor, through the first two games, I decided to try Hong Kong. Shadowrun: Hong Kong is definitely my favorite of the series in that you feel more like a Shadowrunner. The jobs I do give me full rewards instead of taking a huge chunk from each success for the overarching story (Dragonfall anyone?). The pacing, characters, rewards, etc... are just better. Oh, and the game mechanics are very much improved. TLDR: SR:HK is the best of the series. More jobs, better pacing, great improvements overall. But, PLAY THEM ALL. They're all good.

New Mac OS Catallina suports only x64 and Shadowrun series plays only on x32(x86). That's actually why they haven't rereleased new version to app store after it's switched to x64 on IOS11. Seems like no Shadowun for Mac users anymore.

This game is ok cRPG with turn based tactical combat. Same game type as Shadowrun Dragonfall (same studio). It is visible improvment to earlier (also very good game). The main problem is that it is "next" game, so expectacions could be really high, or good stuff does not have such impact. Good: Good story in Hongkong with cybernetics, cyberspace and a bit of magic. However story is just ok, it is nice, and is entertaining enought to run for it, but it is not groundshaking. Interesting companions, with personality and loyality mission, as well as unique development. Cool thing is that your companions are really strong, not just sidekicks, but as important as pc. Plus companions fight in very unique way. Also they are a different beasts comparing to Dragonfall. The missions are in variety of obectives, some of them are longer and more complicated, which gives time to walk around map and seek for hiden secrets or aproach quest in different way. Some of them have no lethal solution. Customization is improved, especially in remark of cybernetics, some of cyber toys are really cool. Generally there is more interesting stuff to buy. The drawback is that consumables are costly and player cant spend much on them. Game is preatty in own way. Nice background, ok animation, music is good. Bad: Game is not perfect, however it is not drawback. Honest craft, however i dont think it is masterpiece. Main problem is with comparison to Dragonfall. In HonkKonk there is less stunning moments, missions which i would remember (like fighting dragon, apex, hitman cult, doge, literally going to hell) the final boss in HK is cool, but fight is rather easy, also vampire mistress is nice, and plastic face was not why i had expected, but it seems less. Final notes: It took mi less than twent hours with almost everything. However speed run would be more like 8. There is a minicampaig DLC announced.

I've taken other reviews here into consideration, and that said, am partly responding to them, based on my own experience outside of gaming. First, the writing. I've got actual experience in proofreading, editing, and writing. I noted a few mistakes here and there, but IMHO, they didn't seem show-stopping. Indeed, much of the team consists of static characters- *especially* Duncan Wu as previously noted. But besides Racter and Gaichu, I think some of of the minor NPCs were interesting, e.g., Ten-Armed Ambrose. (I actually know people much like him.) Really, though, I think some of the real gems were in the Shadowland BBS-- I'm actually old enough to remember the old subculture. Speaking of that... The Matrix overhaul I liked- I've dabbled a bit in coding, scripting, and programming, and I have a few hacker friends. I say that because I know it's hard to represent that world without losing gamers that aren't savvy about it. If this wasn't fixed isometric perspective (i.e., isometric 3D, like Witcher series), yes, sneaking would be easier. But I thought it was closer to hacker flavor than HBS's previous setup. What I was VERY surprised other reviewers missed was the additional Adept weapons. I actually started with Returns, playing a Physical Adept, and wondered why there was so much lack in the way of hand-to-hand weapons. When I got to Dragonfall, I took the well-worn route of the gun-based Street Samurai. I haven't played an Adept in HK yet, but did note there were a lot more weapon choices dependent on Qi Casting- especially the "Blood Calls To Blood"- essentially, vampiric spiked knuckles. I may make an addendum after spending some time playing an Adept again. One last thing- in-game support for User Generated Content seems to be better. Cirion/seberin (of the Antumbra Saga) is back with another UGC mod... UGC can be hit-or-miss, but I recommend you check his stuff out.

I just love fantasy and cyberpunk RPGs, sometimes point+click adventures too. Shadowrun HK was a great piece to play with, I think I'll play with commentaries again soon. The story is great, I love the character development and combat. Ok, classless characters have hard life, but it is the case by all games, so no prob. I love animation, and the character animations are a bit strange, but it is only a small flaw, my overall experience was just great, almost like by Dragonfall. ;-)