Shadowrun Returns

I'm very pleased to see a good new RPG in this classic isometric style, It's a good bite-sized classic-style RPG today, but Shadowrun Returns' best days are ahead of it.

A fine looking game that's short, fun, easy to learn, all intertwined with a good story.

I was not familiar with the cyberpunk RPG's environment (D&D and medieval universes are my bases), but I decided to try Shadowrun Returns by curiousity (and it was just 4€). Oh, and because there was an VERRY important point I like in a role-play : the character creation (characteristics and gender choices). For a lover of games like Baldur's Gate, NWN, Dragon Age, Pillars, Torments, etc... I was first not seduced by the design and the gameplay of Shadowrun that I saw before playing myself. I was wrong : I finally don't hate the turn based combat, and the story made me curious about the universe in general. Of course, the game is quickly ended, the main quest and interactions with the environment follow a simple line, very restricted, but the background is intersting, the characters have good and rich dialogues, and the graphisms permit a real immersion. Because, yes there is a lot of dialogues (my english is just basic, so thanks for french traduction ! Even if it is not perfect : my character is a woman but the NPCs always refer her like she was a man --'). Conclusion : A very good introduction in the universe of Shadowrun, it is a success for that ! So, try the game, but if you really want more quests, choices and impacts in your role-play, the next games "Shadowrun Dragonfall" and "Hong Kong" are better.

I went in with quite low expectations so maybe that's why I was so impressed with what I found. Shadowrun has a simplicity I really appreciate without giving up on depth. You don't get endless stats over endless stats and modifiers. What you get is variety in items and character build. There are so many combinations you can make. Wanna be a powerful shaman that summons monsters from another plane while swinging a katana? You can. Maybe you prefer to swarm your enemies with remote control drones from a safe distance? Go for it. Progress is linear but in some areas you have some wiggle room and a few meaningful choices to make. They won't affect the ending but they will affect your journey there. The story is very good in my opinion and I even shed a tear at the end. There's no voice acting whatsoever but if you immerse yourself in reading what people have to say you'll feel like reading a very good novel. Gameplay is the sugar here. Tactical turn based. You get up to three companions which you control directly but in most missions you can go alone if you're looking for a challenge. The AI is decent for the most part. For me this is a clear recommendation. The setting, the options, the story and the gameplay all nailed it for me.

Shadowrun Returns is a return to form for turn based RPGs. It has been years since we had a Shadowrun videogame but this was worth the wait. In cyberpunk world with magic you can play as multiple races that has different stats and cons. Their are multiple play styles you can employ. Do you want to play as a combat mage, a decker, medic, or a street samurai? You can and more. You can also get cybernetic inplants. The music is serviceable but the story is what you come here for. The story is like a noir film. It's as dark and brutal as you would expect from a cyberpunk but with a few twists. This is one of the few games I backed on Kickstarter that I enjoyed.