Shadowrun

The first PC-to-console network playable videogame impresses on both formats.
Version
 Xbox 360, PC		Developer
FASA Studio		Publisher
Microsoft		Genre
FPS



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"Shadowrun is actually a very deep game under its initially superficial surface."

But no campaign mode renders this team-based shooter useless for those without the capability to play online. For the first time, 360 owners can play against their PC compatriots, and there is no noticeable difference between the two formats for those in the game. Unfortunately getting into a game at the moment can take up to five minutes of searching, and there is no option to set up your own public match. There are no ranked matches, although matches and teams are built using your true skill rating. There is a Halo-style party, so if you join your friends you can expect to be playing together after the initial game if you have been split up.

"The online games can suffer serious lag issues... it is, to be frank, a hit and miss roulette, but when you do get in you can play solidly for three hours."

The online games can suffer serious lag issues to the point of being unplayable. You will sometimes join a game which is on the last round and you will have to spectate then go through loading again as the next game starts. Should the player who is acting as server quit, the whole game will collapse. It is, to be frank, a hit and miss roulette which can be extremely frustrating indeed. On the other hand, when you do get into a game you can play solidly for three hours or more with no problems, blasting opponents to smithereens and getting to know everyone in the lobby as the teams are split and mixed between games.

The graphics design is excellent and the cartoonish characters are all bristling with personality. Unfortunately there are moments when you'll wonder what is happening, such as when your characters floats up a ladder without using his hands or feet. On the other hand, spell effects, explosions and blood splatters (which stay on the walls between rounds) all look great.

With nine maps to play on and only two game variants (typical Capture the Flag or team Deathmatch), Shadowrun feels like it was rushed out of the door to the pressing plant as soon as the developers were happy with the main game engine. I'm sure (at least I hope) that patches will be made available to fix the searching times for games, and new maps and game types will get an update soon, however anyone paying full price for the game at the moment would have the right to be infuriated at the fact the game has been released without these issues already fixed - especially as the single player is so weak.

"There's no denying Shadowrun is great fun, and you'll build up magic and weapons nice and early in the game."

There's no denying Shadowrun is great fun, and earning money by killing opponents and helping your team mates will see you build up your magic and weapons early in the game. The powers add a new level of depth to the FPS genre and playing as a troll with a minigun compared to an elf with a katana and lightning reflexes feels like two different games, something that obviously a lot of time and effort has gone into. Although I struggle to see how Microsoft can let an in-house title like this go out in the overall state it's in.

I don't understand why Microsoft would want a Shadowrun licence to make an FPS with no storyline. All I can do is hope they take this excellent game engine and learn from the mistakes they made to seriously patch up the original and give us much more in any sequels.











Graphics Sound Gameplay Depth Presentation OVERALL
8.0 7.0 8.5 7.5 5.0 8.0


THE VERDICT: Shadowrun will wow a lot of players with its intelligent and well balanced blend of races, powers, weapons and magic. The one player mode stinks and there isn't enough variety in game maps and types. Finding a game online is a complete nightmare, but once you do Shadowrun proves to be nearly enough fun for you to forgive all its flaws.

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Video Coverage
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DescriptionDur.SizeDetails
Shadowrun
Direct feed trailer   (X360. PC - Microsoft)		 01:29 32MB DF, ED, 16:9
852x480p30
3.0Mbps
Shadowrun
Direct feed gameplay   (X360, PC - Microsoft)		 00:33 11MB DF, ED, 16:9
856x480p30
3.0Mbps