System: X360, PC
Dev: FASA Interactive / Microsoft Game Studios
Pub: Microsoft
Release: May 29, 2007
Players: 1-16
ESRB Rating: Mature
Review by Jonathan Marx

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Review Rating Legend
1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
2.5 - 2.9 = Average
3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
3.5 - 3.9 = Good
4.0 - 4.4 = Great
4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
5.0 = The Best

Shadowrun is almost exclusively an online shooter. There is a very well-done, six chapter tutorial and a solo mode where you can play against bots. There is no single player story though, and this makes the game feel both too expensive and empty. Additionally, there is no split-screen multiplayer action through one console. In other words, your friends will have to stay at home and pick up their own copy of the game if they are going to join you online. Someone seriously dropped the ball on that one. Not all gamers are loners locked in their basements. Even those gamers that are lone gunmen want to chuckle with their buddies every now and then.

To tell you the truth, the game feels more like a demo or a beta rather than a full release. This is the first game that pits Xbox 360 players against PC gamers. This is a neat concept that will bring more players to the gaming lobbies, but it doesn't have any effect upon gameplay other than cross-platform achievement points. On a side note, make sure your NAT settings are set to "open" if you're playing with the 360. If you are still getting by with "strict" or even "moderate" NAT, you won't be able host or even find a game to join.

The graphics and the sound effects are some of the best aspects of the game. If you link your 360 up to a 1080p monitor, you'll see fantastic visuals. Spell effects are well animated, and everything looks crisp and clean. Going up ladders is pretty lame though. Characters just seem to float up them, rather than having to actually climb up. Also, there's no facial or character customization, so everyone looks the same. This doesn't effect how the game plays, but it does make the game seem unfinished. The sound effects are nice. The guns sound real and will get your heart pumping. The announcer has a clear voice, but he makes it feel as if you were in the movie Running Man, rather than in a desperate struggle between two opposing factions fighting over the destiny of the world. The headset works great, and you will find yourself easily able to coordinate with teammates whether you are on the PC or the 360.

Controls are very well executed. I especially liked the way the developers were able to even the competition between PC and Xbox gamers by giving mild auto-aim features. You will automatically find your crosshairs trained on the enemy if they are reasonably close or if you were already pointing in their immediate direction. This auto-aim feature is further enhanced by smart-link technology which acts as an add-on to weaponry in order to further improve accuracy, eliminate friendly-fire, and to give even unsighted armaments a scoping effect. Especially for Xbox 360 users, the assignment of slots is very handy. You will be able to assign different magical or tech abilities to the bumpers or left trigger. This allows you to customize the controller so that it feels right. The controls are well done for both platforms, so rest assured that the game will, at the very least, function well.

In conclusion, this game is a very competent shooter that does mix it up a bit. Additionally, the gameplay will improve over time as players become savvier with the implementation of the new abilities. This 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. If the game was just a download off the Xbox Live Marketplace that cost $30 and would constantly be updated, I would have been content. Disappointingly, this is a full-priced title, backed by the full weight of Microsoft Games Studios, which does absolutely nothing substantive with the Shadowrun license. I thought this game would be one of my favorite titles of 2007, but I think I'll just keep playing C.O.D. 3 instead.

By Jonathan Marx
CCC Freelance Writer

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