Shadowrun Returns Review

As part of my semi-annual game purchasing binge I acquired Shadowrun Returns for a low price as part of the winter Steam sale.  I also finished it relatively quickly.

Shadowrun Returns is a video game adaptation of a popular pen-and-paper cyberpunk RPG.  It is a turn-based RPG with many features that are similar to X-COM:  Enemy Unknown.  I played through the main campaign "Dead Man's Switch."  I very much enjoyed Shadowrun Returns and found the story and setting a refreshing change from the typical turn-based fantasy/strategy type of game.  I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of X-COM or turn-based strategy games.  Overall I would give it an 8/10.

Pros:
1.) Cyberpunk
--Before playing Shadowrun Returns I was completely unfamiliar with this genre.  You take one part traditional fantasy elements (magic, elves, dragons, dwarves) and smash it together with futuristic elements (cyber enhancements, automatic weapons, "decking") and you get this really amazing and different combination that works.  I liked that I could make a mage and then give them cybernetic enhancements.  Cybermage is so much cooler than your traditional robe-wearing spell flinger.

The stylized portraits and art are really fun and lend themselves well to this genre.  I enjoyed meeting new characters just to see what their portraits would look like.

2.) Setting
--The world of Shadowrun Returns is a dark but familiar world.  The story is set in and around a futuristic Seattle.  In this world magic has "awakened" ancient races, elves, orks, trolls, and dragons and has changed everything.  Major corporations are run by dragons and have a very powerful impact on everyday life.  As a shadowrunner you navigate the seedier side of life in this world--you deal with the gangsters, thugs, and others who lurk in the dark places.  Many of the locations in the game are authentic--anyone who has been to Seattle will immediately recognize them.  Even if you don't you'll enjoy the rainy, dark streets and the cheery atmosphere of the "Seamstresses Union."

3.) Campaign/story
--The campaign has you following up on a strange message you receive from a former business associate.  This associate had installed a "dead man's switch" that would automatically contact you in the event of his death.  Your job is to find out who murdered your friend and bring them to justice.  The story feels much like a murder mystery with you at the center finding clues and unravelling the threads that weave the story Sam Watts' death.  There are a number of side quests and the more you investigate the bigger and more interesting the plot gets.

4.) Interesting classes
--These ain't your momma's traditional classes!  Street samurai--specializes in ranged and melee combat.  Physical adept--utilizes magic to enhance physical abilities (punching with magic!).  Mage--a more traditional class focused on spellcasting.  Shaman--a support caster who specializes in summoning powerful spirits to help your party and also has many useful buff/debuff spells.  Decker--the Shadowrun version of a hacker who can enter the computer world known as "the matrix" and manipulate defenses, unlock doors, and do all kinds of other handy things.  Rigger--another technology related class that focuses on controlling drones in combat.  Drones can navigate small vents and are good tools for scouting.

5.) Combat
--Combat in Shadowrun Returns is enjoyable.  Once you have figured out how each class functions it highly enjoyable to see your choices play out positively.  Your casters are great at providing support and buffs to more offensive classes like physical adepts or street samurais.  The more tech centered classes are a nice change from the traditional "tank, healer, DPS" makeup present in many games.

6.) Moral choices
--You get to choose how your character responds to situations.  You can be the diplomat or the brute depending on how you want to play your character.  This isn't something novel, but is always something I enjoy in a game.

7.) Editor/workshop support
--If you're into designing your own content Shadowrun Returns offers a set of editing tools that allow you to do so.  I did not experiment with them but am supportive of any game that allows users to generate their own content.  There is also a large amount of Steam Workshop content to bulk up the game.

Cons:
1.) Length
--Although engaging and interesting the campaign was relatively short.  I finished it in 10 hours and was a bit disappointed that there wasn't more.  The flipside of that coin is the editing/workshop support with player generated content.

2.) Cover
--Similar to issues in X-COM, the cover system can be frustrating.  Often I would place my characters in heavy cover and they would still be crit.  There is also bonus damage awarded anytime you are flanking an opponent but the definition of what is actually "flanking" seems to be pretty broad.  This is great from an offensive standpoint, but not from a defensive one.  I found that my party was flanked much of the time even though no enemies were really behind me.

Despite the short length of the campaign I found Shadowrun Returns to be an enjoyable and refreshing journey.  It's worth picking up and is even more-so if you are someone who enjoys creating content.