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Shadowrun

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7.0 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 30 critic reviews
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Based on 21 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Microsoft

Developer: FASA Studio

Genre(s): First-Person Shooter

Players: 16

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: May 29, 2007

Summary

Shadowrun is a multiplayer first-person shooter based on the much beloved RPG franchise. Shadowrun propels team-based combat into a new dimension with a revolutionary blend of modern weaponry and ancient magic. Up to 16 players battle for control of this new world through Windows Vista's Xbox 360-to-Windows Vista online compatibility. In Shadowrun, vie for supremacy in a constantly evolving battlefield where advanced technology and ancient magic provide an unprecedented and high-velocity tactical action experience. After a 5,000 year absence magic has returned to the world of 2021, and global corporate might battles a relentless ancient order to harness this reawakened power. Be a part of the RNA global megacorp and bring order (and profit) into a world of chaos, or join the Lineage to keep magic wild and free at all costs. Choose a side and wage war for the future of magic in the new world of Shadowrun. Dive into a universe where ancient magic co-exists with deadly weaponry, and experience a revolution in multiplayer FPS gaming. Purchase advanced technology and magic each round in an extraordinary arms race to improve your abilities and open up new tactics for your team. Use your cybernetic eye to spot your enemy through walls, teleport behind your opponents in the blink of an eye, trigger a hologram as a distraction then cut them down with a burst from your rifle to clear the room before they even know you're there. [Microsoft]

Cheat Codes & Hints: GameFAQs

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

NTSC-uk

Underneath the hood is a well-honed, constantly surprising beast and one that isn’t purely for FPS fans, thanks to a generous degree of auto-aim that places much of the emphasis on tactics and intelligent usage of the tools at your disposal.

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GamePro

Those able to play Shadowrun with an open mind and invest the time to learn the game will find one of the deeper online FPS games to date.

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GamingTrend

Shadowrun adds a third dimension to the Counterstrike dominated genre and is very enjoyable due to the variety of builds open to the player.

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1UP

The vaunted cross-platform play works mostly as advertised (including Achievements associated with killing/resurrecting users from the alternate platform), but we still have to question whether it's worth the hassle and cost for PC users.

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Worth Playing

I think it's quite entertaining and does many things just right. However, it's clearly unfinished and was rushed out the door.

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PC Format

There are hidden depths to the game mechanics, but only a dedicated killer will stick with it long enough to plumb them. [Aug 2007, p.50]

PC Gamer

A great MP shooter, but overpirced and probably not worth the upgrade to Vista by itself. [Sept 2007, p.54]

Gamer 2.0

On the whole, Shadowrun could’ve been packaged at about $20 cheaper rather than leave gamers wondering where the majority of their paycheck went.

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PC Gamer UK

A great game system, a lack of levels. [Aug 2007, p.66]

GameStar

Offering battles for magical artifacts on nine different battlefields, Microsofts multi-player shooter is the first game to bring PC- and console-gamers together, - driving both of them crazy, while charging for it.

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Cheat Code Central

The game is one-dimensional though, and you will become bored quickly. Level design is mediocre and the lack of any single player mode makes the game feel unsatisfying.

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GameZone

Argghhh, the frustration of playing this game wouldn't be so bad if the rest of it stunk. But to have a game with cool devices, an interesting war over who should get magic and some really clever gameplay and then have stinky online play only makes the cut go that much deeper.

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GameTrailers

Though Shadowrun is a first-person shooter, it still manages to include a lot of the qualities that made the original RPG a hit. At the same time, with just a few multiplayer modes and a paltry nine maps, the fun only lasts for so long.

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GameSpot

This multiplayer-only shooter does absolutely nothing with the Shadowrun name, and its unique strengths are offset by a lack of variety.

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Games Master UK

Entertaining and fairly original shooter, cursed by too little content and a high price. [Aug 2007, p.76]

Game Chronicles

Overall Shadowrun is worth the expense as a first person multiplayer game but some extra content would be nice.

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IGN

Shadowrun has no visible persistent statistics, no way to modify character models, nothing, outside of Achievements, to serve as reward. As gamers, it's rewards we crave, be it of the narrative variety, in-game items, new options or modes, or something entirely different.

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Gamers' Temple

Shadowrun is one of those games that you want to like, but that ends up disappointing you in the end.

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GamerNode

The action is fast paced, and the level of complexity it will take to become one of the best is astounding. If you're like me, however, you just can't justify a game costing that much money and offering so little in return.

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Game Informer

The nine maps available aren’t nearly enough, the lack of rankings and leaderboards provide no incentive to hone your skills to perfection, and the extremely meager offline options drag everything down.

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Edge Magazine

Shadowrun has too many cooks: it’s a heady broth initially, and the possibilities might seem unmatched, but ultimately it turns out to be limited fun. [Aug 2007, p.88]

G4 TV

The game is definitely over-priced. With that said, this is still one of the most engaging new multiplayer-only games out there.

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GameDaily

This bland online shooter (no single player element exists) offers only a handful of maps and no map editor. While the game's is based upon an entrenched role-playing game, not a single role-playing element exists.

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Computer and Video Games

The biggest disappointment in this otherwise fairly enjoyable shooter is the lack of content once you've finally grasped the formula. There are only nine similar-looking maps to choose from, with more expected down the line via downloadable content.

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Eurogamer

A well-designed, well-conceived game.

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Game Revolution

Shadowrun’s impressive array of skills and magic gives standard first-person shooters a run for their money, but its lack of game modes or rewards or even a rewarding feeling slows this game to a walk.

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The Onion (A.V. Club)

Perfect for anyone who used to pit their G.I. Joes against their Dark Crystal dolls.

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GameShark

The lack of Windows XP support shuts out a legion of potential PC customers, the connection issues are more than a bit annoying, and the single-player bot play is at best uninspired.

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PC Zone UK

Wooly, hollow and redundant. [Aug 2007, p.78]

GameSpy

While the abilities are beautifully balanced and the right team can be a near-amazing gameplay experience, the price, the stinginess of the content, and the amateurish lack of polish gives us pause. Maybe a lower price point that doesn't make Shadowrun as much of a ripoff as it is could help down the line. But until then, despite how much I want to like Shadowrun, the good times are not nearly worth all the money, frustration and hassle.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.0 (out of 10) based on 21 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Duncan M. gave it a4:
Fail. Epic Fail. This game was so much of a letdown, I almost crushed the CD right away. But then I might have hurt my hands... So I didn't. First off, I got it around Christmas 07, THEN I installed it thinking "Oh MAN this is going to be fun." After tearing my hair out (Pics of me bald not included) I got my Xbox live account, anc was ready to jump into some fast paced multiplayer gaming... But nooo "What the hell is that? I have to PAY to play? I didn't know this was an MMO... " So I played singleplayer instead.. And I'm all like.... Hey, this is just a bad version of Counter Strike: Source... With Magic.... and Trolls... On fire... But really now... In singleplayer the rounds are too short... You can only fight for up to six round.. or something like that. And thats not long enough to get all the money for the powers you need. The fact that there is no Deathcam makes for a boring wait for someone to res you. And the maps were just boring. If it was cheaper, and didn't suck so hard in singleplayer... I might recommend you get it, if not, then just get Counter Strike or Counter Strike: Source. (By the way, Steam is free, and better, in my opinion).

[Anonymous] gave it a10:
I am just pointing out something. For one, this game takes a lot of team coordination. If you team doesn't work-as a team- then you lose. Thats just how it is. I absolutely love the lack of guns, it makes you pick your equipment very carefully. Each weapon almost always wins in a certain situation, your goal is to pick that situation and play that role. Each class plays completely different, and different strategies are essential for playing with any of them. For example, Trolls, are powerhouses, but dwarves are the anti-troll. Everything seems to have its place and its use. This game reminds me of halo in the sense of I have about as much fun while playing it as I did in halo 1. Really, I think its more like Counterstrike done right. I for one don't like coutnterstrike, although I see where its a good game, it just isn't fun for me to play. This iis deffinatley fun for my style of play. I especially like that the sniper rifle needs to be zoomed in to fire.

Mike S. gave it a9:
While far from perfect, Shadowrun's unique blend of FPS action keeps your attention far longer than the "Will someone PLEASE play something other than Casino" types of online gaming fare. Every match feels fresh, every ability feels useful, and there's just something inherently awesome about being able to teleport through solid objects at will. The map selection is a bit sparse, but I find that most people online aren't even using the maps to their full potential, and the only people who won't enjoy this game are people who assume that Shadowrun is just another FPS clone.

Chris W. gave it a0:
this game is a horrible sin against god try it i dare you, you will feel like your playing some free game only its not free, you pay premium price like everything else, any hope you had that this was counter strike with magic will be destoryed.

Robin B. gave it a9:
Fast paced gaming fun. A great FPS if a little limited. Lots of frantic fast paced action that if you use your head can be totaly engroseing. Compared to other PC titles it can be seen as limited and lack luster. But as a cross platform game its great and truley beats down other console FPS. thankfully i have this on Vista and tend to crush the other console players. Worth a look and a bargin at the £20 asking price.

Thomas J. gave it a10:
The game is simply amazing. I bought it at Day 1 and haven't put it down since.

Dave K. gave it a3:
They did nothing new with the Shadowrun license. Poor/awkward controls (autoaim on a PC game?!) really hurt the accesibility of the game, and that means less enjoyable. Cross platform remains a neat idea, but simply isn't implemented well yet, but we're only 2 games in. Windows Gold remains a ripoff since PC games mp has always been free, but at least the game looks pretty nice.

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