Shadowrun Returns

I've been a fan of Shadowrun since a friend got me into the pen and paper RPG in the early 90's. I've played every video game adaptation that's been made over the years, and while I still think the Genesis version is the most faithful adaptation of the Shadowrun rules and flavor, this game is a very close second. Sure, it may be quite linear, but in my opinion linearity is not an edge or a flaw - it is simply an attribute. If linearity doesn't bother you, and you like the idea of the cyberpunk genre getting all mashed together with orks and magic, or if you are just an old school Shadowrun fan from way back, then by all means give this game a try. There are all sorts of shout outs to classic Shadowrun products, from the protagonist of the SNES adaptation to one of the big movers and shakers of a 90's era module series to the golden-eyed CEO of one of the biggest corps in the world. The patch, available as a separate download from the installer, even includes the ability to manually save your game, and there is a ton of user generated content available online to continue your runner's story after you finish the base campaign...or you can use the campaign editor to create your own content.

I love this game. Some may hate it cause it is not as in depth of a storyline as Bioware RPG's but is based on a pen and paper linear style. I enjoyed the main game and I like the fact I can transfer my character to another user made game. The combat is well developed. It is close too the new Xcom which I like. The save system sucks, especially if you are playing user made mods which crashes often when trying to save. Probably just the map I was playing. Besides these minor complaints, I highly recommend this game.

I wasn't sure what to expect after reading the other reviews. I found the story and mechanics a lot of fun with some interesting twists. It is linear but for the price, 15 hours of gameplay for each character you create and run through seems more than fair. The uniqueness of the world setting and character builds make it worth the gameplay.

While it´s true that a "Real" campagin it´s this game needs to be taken in consideration, I think the plot´s brilliant, the resources are rightly measured and limitations in equipment and saving, and others offers a more challenging and strategical experience. I´m agree, this game needs a full-scale campaing to be one of the great RPG, but it´s much better game "as game" than others, including arcanum, torment... so probably i should give one less star, but finally decide for 5. If the creators decide to work in a full-scale campaign (maybe a DLC?) this game could become in one of the best RPGs of all the times.

Don't expect this game to play anything like the original Shadowrun games for the SNES and Genesis. Shadowrun Returns is a completely different beast--one that still belongs in the Shadowrun franchise for sure, but it's certainly the lesser of the 3. Or 4, if you count the humdrum multiplayer FPS. The game controls well and the combat, story, and writing are engaging (at least until it goes all Starship Troopers on you), but it's far too linear and the whole experience strikes you as a fan-service game that has "potential", rather than something that's fully realized. I wanted so much more than what I got--but what I got was still pretty good.