Shadowrun (2007)
Preview
For the first time we will see if the mouse really is better than the joypad!
by Spotted
previewed on PC
First Person Role-playing
Shadowrun was originally a pen-and-paper role-playing game set in a futuristic world where technology and mankind's re-found magical ability will have to reach consensus. The Shadowrun universe first appeared on the video game scene in 1994 on the SNES and has seen several other systems since. Its role-playing roots are always apparent and the upcoming First Person Shooter bearing the same name will be no different.
The game is set in 2020 where, after 5,000 years of absence, magic returns to the world. In some humans the magic simply reawakens but others are less fortunate. Magical DNA that has been dormant for centuries activates and starts turning humans turn into the entire gamut of magical races like elves, dwarves and trolls. But technology is not abandoned and because of this, Shadowrun's characters get the best of both worlds; they can use good old magic, but they can also rely on state-of-the-art technology.
Factions
Most game modes are based on team versus team play. You will get to play as one of two factions but your choice is not permanent as you can change factions in between games. The first faction is the RNA Corporation, a mega corporation so big that it has its own standing army. Their main opponent is the Lineage, an organisation tasked with defending an ancient temple, which the RNA Corporation discovered inside a mountain in South America.
When the RNA found this discovery they made a lot of enemies as they collapsed the side of the mountain, and wiped out half the city of Santos. We can expect levels to range form sleek corporate facilities to the slums of Santos and even inside the mountain itself.
Magic versus technology
Just to make the fire fights even more interesting, there are magical abilities you can call upon and many spells are more interesting than the average fireball spell. For instance, if you end up stuck between two enemies, you can turn yourself into smoke. It should be fun to watch the two enemies hit each other with bullets. Combining the enhanced vision ability with a Teleportation spell will let you see through walls and teleport to the other side, right behind your enemies. The much loathed 'campers' will have a difficult time in Shadowrun. The Tree of Life spell lets you conjure up a tree that heals anybody within a certain distance of the tree but there is a catch. It will also heal your enemies. Use it wisely! As you can see, the developers have gone through great lengths to come up with a fresh take on magic.
On the tech side, things aren't exactly dull either. Tech items with intriguing names like Wired Reflexes make you a lot faster. Armed with a sword, you can use this technology even to dodge or deflect incoming bullets. Equally cool are the glider wings that allow you a limited time of flight.
Racial differences
The different races in the game act as classes, each with distinct weaknesses and strengths. The Human character is a 'jack of all trades' character that can use technological items while still be able to develop fairly strong magical abilities. Magic and technology don't meld well in Shadowrun, as technological items interfere with the magic. Even with the Human character, using your enhanced vision in combination with the glider wings, you would be able to cast only a few spells before running out of power.
The Elves are faster than other characters, but they are flimsy and cannot take a punch very well. They do have the ability to automatically heal and they also have more magical powers. They can easily teleport multiple times in a row while other races can only do it twice before having depleted their powers.
Dwarves have some nasty tricks up their sleeves. They can use magic like the rest of the races, but they also have the ability to take magic essence away from magical creatures. This powerful ability effectively causes the other character to temporarily lose its magic. Trolls are slow but can take a lot of damage. In fact, damage 'feeds' it. The more damage the Troll receives, the slower he gets but it also causes him to become even stronger.
Xbox versus PC
While the game will come with a number of tutorial and skirmish missions in which you can fight bots, it really is a multiplayer game. One of its more unusual features is the fact that it will provide cross-platform compatibility. Shadowrun will be one of the first games to allow Xbox 360 players to compete directly with PC gamers. Now, for the first time we will see if the mouse really is better than the joypad!
