
	Platform PC, Xbox 360 Genre FPS Developer FASA Studios Publisher Microsoft ETA Q2 2007
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Shadowrun

After it was first announced that Shadowrun was going to be brought back from the dead, gamers rejoiced. Once it turned out that the franchise was being turned into a FPS, a number of these gamers started to rummage about for tar, feathers, and pitchforks. Yank Shadowrun away from its role-playing roots you say? Blasphemy! Since the initial announcement it would seem that a number of these people have managed to calm down, and even embrace this new take on the franchise.

The game will still take place in a universe that combines high technology with arcane magic. Since magic has only recently returned to the world, a power struggle has emerged between a massive, transnational corporation called RNA, and an ancient, mysterious sect calling itself the Lineage. The RNA wants to control and organize magic, while the Lineage thinks it better to allow magic to flow free and unabated through the world. Players will be able to side with either of these factions.

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Despite being a shooter, Shadowrun does retain some interesting aspects of an RPG. At the top of this list are the four different races available to players: humans, elves, dwarves, and trolls. These races will determine how one plays the game, as there are no specific character classes in the game. Elves are highly skilled at magic, but physically fragile.

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Humans are generalists that are neither strong, nor weak in any area. Dwarves are the anti-magic race, where they are physically tough, and can actually absorb magic from others. Trolls are the most physically durable of the lot, as their skin hardens with every bit of damage that they take, with it eventually capping (so don’t think you can eventually become indestructible as a troll!). It should also be noted that all races can use magic to a certain degree.

Since the game will take place in a fairly futuristic setting, there will also be a lot of technology to take advantage of in Shadowrun. Weapons will largely be straightforward with grenade launchers, pistols, machine guns, and so forth. However, there will also be a ton of gadgets that players can augment their characters with. These can range from devices that allow short bursts of flight, infrared vision, seeing through walls, and a host of other abilities. Bare in mind, though, that for every bit of technology one adds to their character, they lose a bit of their magic abilities, so there are some trade-offs that need to be considered.

Combat itself is planned to be decidedly fast-paced, as players run around shooting each other. Not only will this be cause for bragging rights, but teams are rewarded money based on their performance that they can use afterward to purchase more magic, weapons, and technology in the shops between rounds. What may prove most interesting of all about playing the game is that Xbox 360 and PC gamers will be able to play together. Unlike other games, here users of either platform will be able to intermingle, instead of being segregated. That in mind, we may see a return of heated arguments as to whether the gamepad or mouse / keyboard set up is better suited to an FPS.

We’re only a few months away from the game being released by the sound of things. It’s been far too long since Shadowrun ventured into the realm of video games. There may be considerably less RPG elements in the game this time around, but by the looks of things it could still be pretty fun.

Jeff Nash

March 10, 2007