So, Shadowrun Returns

[Eduku]

Shadowrun Returns, the kickstarter funded game, releases this week. I haven't really seen many people talk about this to be honest, and I'm not fully sure what it's about, as there's not too much info on it around the web, maybe due to the fact that it's embargoed until the release date. From what I understand, it's a video game adaptation of a pen and paper RPG that mixes cyberpunk with high fantasy, and it will be in the form of a turn-based strategy RPG. I couldn't find too much more than that. So I have a few questions:

Is it one long continuous campaign? Or is it sort of level based, where you play each battle in separate missions/maps?

How 'RPG' are we talking here? I saw some RPG-type interactions with NPCs, is it like the cRPGs of old (e.g. Baldur's Gate)?

Do you only create and control one character or do you have a party of companions? How much customisation is there for your character (i.e. stats, equipment etc.)?

Is anyone else interested in Shadowrun Returns?

 

[Genocidicles]

I was interested in it, until I found out non-backers aren't able to buy a DRM free version.

At the moment I'm seeing how it goes before I put money down on it.

 

[The Madman]

Very interested. I'll admit I don't know much at all about the Shadowrun setting but even so I love the Cyberpunk setting in general and the idea of a ye-olden-PC style rpg set in such a place definitely has my interest. I watched a gameplay snippet awhile back as well and liked the turn-based combat system they have as well.

Chances are good I'll be buying it when it comes out, bar reviews saying it explodes computers or something. Exactly the sort of game I'm interested in.

I'll try and answer your questions about the game, but keep in my I'm NOT a backer and haven't paid full attention to the game so I could be wrong.

Is it one long continuous campaign? Or is it sort of level based, where you play each battle in separate missions/maps?

There is a main campaign that works much like older PC rpgs such as Baldur's Gate at the like, with various inter-connected hubs and locations. There are also mod tools available for making custom campaign, hopefully something like Neverwinter Nights 1 and 2.

How 'RPG' are we talking here? I saw some RPG-type interactions with NPCs, is it like the cRPGs of old (e.g. Baldur's Gate)?

Yes, that's what it's like.

Do you only create and control one character or do you have a party of companions? How much customisation is there for your character (i.e. stats, equipment etc.)?

Tons of character customization seeing as it's based on an old pen & paper tabletop game. You create the main character and then recruit allies, again ala old style PC rpg like Baldur's Gate.

I was interested in it, until I found out non-backers aren't able to buy a DRM free version.

At the moment I'm seeing how it goes before I put money down on it.

Not like they're using Starforce or Games for Windows Live or something obnoxious like that. If it's something like a CD key or STEAM then I see no real problem.

 

[WoW Killer]

Ah crap, I knew I was supposed to save some my wallet for something...

Oh well, I guess I'll give it a look a few weeks after release.

 

[Darks63]

Yeah i have it preordered and bought already, however i'm prolly not gonna get it to it at this time due to gaming backlog(ME2, an old mmo im playing again, and Skyrim)

 

[Auron]

Backer since day 1 and I do believe it will be absolutely awesome. Especially with the editor's potential to generate new campaigns as long as the community supports it. There are various interesting systems in place like the NPC AI threat assessment that can tell if you're armed or not and acts accordingly, the ability to talk out of most conflicts seems to be there, they have showed many game systems in videos already over the span of the KS might wanna look these up.

As far as open-world I believe it's just as open as Fallout, except with many areas of the metropolis.

 

[dragongit]

it was one of the few projects I'd ever backed on Kickstarter. Can't believe it's been over a year. Time flies... and I still have no life. at least I get a copy of it to play soon.

 

[StriderShinryu]

I am really interested in it but, at the same time, what I've seen doesn't totally blow me away. If opinion is favourable, I'll pick it up in a heartbeat. If not, I'll just cry myself to sleep.. again.

 

[barbzilla]

I am really interested in it but, at the same time, what I've seen doesn't totally blow me away. If opinion is favourable, I'll pick it up in a heartbeat. If not, I'll just cry myself to sleep.. again.

Basically this, I've been burned so many times on Shadowrun games that I won't put money into one without seeing it first. The sad fact is the old Genesis game was the best Shadowrun video game to date, and even that wasn't very good. I have played an android game that was decently like a shadowrun RPG (but without a good storyline) called CyberKnights, but even that fell way short of the actual game experience I had with the PnP version. Either game devs have no idea what makes Shadowrun so popular (or as popular as it is anyway) or they just can't make it work. Either way I won't be spending money without some form of proof that it is what I am looking for.

 

[Vern5]

I've heard that the less you hear about a non-AAA game, the better its prospects are. Most people go to the internet to complain so no news is good news.

I bought Shadowrun returns without any big expectations. I like the setting. The like the look. I like the mission based structure. I also liked the SNES Shadowrun although I never got very far in it.

I can't see this being a waste of money unlike several of my other purchases this past week...

 

[randomrob1968]

I'm all about turn-based old school rpgs, played the crap out of the SNES version...

This version is being made by people who love the game and want an updated version... in the current market, this is my favorite trend.

To me it's a no-brainer- I pre-bought it on principle.

 

[Odbarc]

From what little I've seen, it looks like it might be REALLY fun.
My one major problem with it is that I sucked at the SNES original version and I'm not entirely sure it won't be "for me".

All the same, I love tactic strategy RPGs and it looks to have that. It has Fallout style dialogue options as well which is a big plusser for me.

The graphics look very nice. The style looks very nice. It's about $20 which I can afford but I'd much rather not risk and I've already got a bunch of summer sale games I haven't come close to beating.

 

[geldonyetich]

The gameplay footage looks good, but I'm not expecting a miracle. I expect it to have a bit of a learning curve to get used to the GUI and a dreadful shortage of scenarios at release.

 

[Agayek]

Shadowrun Returns, the kickstarter funded game, releases this week. I haven't really seen many people talk about this to be honest, and I'm not fully sure what it's about, as there's not too much info on it around the web, maybe due to the fact that it's embargoed until the release date. From what I understand, it's a video game adaptation of a pen and paper RPG that mixes cyberpunk with high fantasy, and it will be in the form of a turn-based strategy RPG. I couldn't find too much more than that. So I have a few questions:

Is it one long continuous campaign? Or is it sort of level based, where you play each battle in separate missions/maps?

How 'RPG' are we talking here? I saw some RPG-type interactions with NPCs, is it like the cRPGs of old (e.g. Baldur's Gate)?

Do you only create and control one character or do you have a party of companions? How much customisation is there for your character (i.e. stats, equipment etc.)?

Is anyone else interested in Shadowrun Returns?

I'm a backer, and here's the answers for you as far as I understand them:

1) It's a single continuous campaign. Think Baldur's Gate or whatever, it's the same kind of thing. There's distinct areas of the city(s) that each have their own map and sub-maps/dungeons/etc and you move between them.

2) It's akin to Baldur's Gate. It's an isometric party-based RPG heavy on the turn-based/statted combat.

3) You have a party of characters, but AFAIK only your original character can be customized in terms of appearance, initial stats, and class. Beyond that, you are able to customize the equipment, stats from levels and all that other fun stuff for all of your party characters.

4) Absolutely. I'm waiting quite impatiently for Thursday.

 

[Abomination]

I got time set aside off work to play it this week.

You could say I'm a little bit excited about this release.

 

[sc1arr1]

Time couldn't be moving any slower towards the release date. Its really only two days away but that still feels like too long. I think its going to be a blast. Sooner or later I'm even going to be in a 4th edition tabletop campaign.

 

[V8 Ninja]

Let's say I work for a website called Digitally Downloaded [http://www.digitallydownloaded.net].

Let's say I'm reviewing Shadowrun Returns and have access to the completed product prior to release.

Let's say that I'll probably have a review written and ready for July 30th.

Let's say.