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A few hours ago, Cliffhanger released the first playable preview of their upcoming turn-based multiplayer cyberpunk project Shadowrun Online to the public. A sort-of alpha for the backers who, due to a total rewrite of the early JAO-based code, had to hold out longer than expected to get the product delivered, the version of SRO currently hosted on Steam misses several important features such as co-op gameplay or even the (judging from developer updates) relatively impressive customisation, but it does offer four singleplayer missions that allow you to try out how combat feels, as well as some PvP if you feel you want to take on a human opponent.
Elisabeth Astl, Cliffhanger Productions wrote:This version is the earliest version of the game and will contain a small prequel to our campaign. This means that while you can get a good impression of what the core gameplay will be like, there are only fixed characters and no items or rewards in the game yet. It is mostly bug free, but it is not in any shape or form feature complete. We built it this way because it allows us to get feedback and work on the core gameplay before we move on to the next features of the game.
We will add new elements, tweaks and content every 4-6 weeks. We hope that this will allow growing and maturing the game together with you, our players and give us the information we need to stay on the right track. The things that are on the menu for the future are:
- Class-Free Character Creation: Create your own Shadowrunner and skill any way you want, with a ton of visual customisation options.
- Items: Weapons, armour and cyberware, magic talismans and cyberdecks: Loot them, buy them or upgrade existing items. Our item system separates the visual aspects from the item ability, so no need to wear a silly hat just for the bonus it grants!
- Co-op or single player mission gameplay: Play with your friends or lead a team yourself, when you want to play solo.
- Dynamic Security and Alarm Levels: Depending on what you do in a mission you may trip alerts, making some missions more difficult – or shut off the alarm in time.
- PvP duels and PvP Missions: Test your Shadowrunners in PvP against other players.
- Evolving world campaign: New content will be released based on the collective actions of the players. This is your world!
- Tough missions: Because life in the shadows is never easy!
The four singleplayer missions, a prequel to one of the final game's campaigns, have you control a Street Samurai and a Mage during the investigation into an abduction, and will see you fight gangers as well as an Aztechnology hit squad - accompanied by some fun voiced dialogue between the two Runners. As the full game will have you only control your own custom character (unless you hire NPC Runners to stock up your team in lieu of others players), I don't think this dialogue is representative of what SRO will feel like later on, but it's a nice gesture that doesn't make you miss the conversation with other players as much. Although you can always tune into the Global Chat if you're feeling lonely.
The difficulty of the missions is rather steep, especially in the last two levels (and I'm not sure the 4th one actually can be won with so many waves coming down hard onto your two guys, whilst simultaneously shooting at the decker you're supposed to protect), but since the community has already been warned by the devs that the difficulty is intentional, it's no big deal. I'm sure with a full team these missions would be a breeze. The interface itself is pretty simplistic, which probably lends itself well to the team's idea of also offering SRO on tablets ... which I was sceptical about at first, but after seeing the graphics quality of the PC version (on "Fantastic" setting), I really don't mind. Unlike with Shadowrun Returns, you can zoom in much closer, which is somewhat important in a multiplayer game if you want to check out other people's characters or showcase your own. Pretty much the only thing I'm missing is an inventory, but final judgment depends on how the devs want to handle items such as grenades and first aid kits.
As the game is still missing a large chunk of its features, I wouldn't want to "grade" it so soon, but I can say that - even with one disconnect, and a nasty AI freeze bug in the 4th mission - I've had fun and definitely want to see more. I especially cannot wait for the inclusion of co-op multiplayer, as this is the one thing I'm still missing from Shadowrun Returns, and the main reason for why I've backed SRO.
Meet Payday and Takshak - the no-nonsense Ork Streetsam and his smart-mouthed Mage buddy are your characters in the four missions included in this backer's preview
It looks interesting, I'm a big fan of Shadowrun.
I love Shadowrun Returns, I'll have to get this too when it's up and running properly.
If the thought of something makes me giggle for longer than 15 seconds, I am to assume that I am not allowed to do it. item 87, skippys list
DC:70S+++G+++M+++B+++I++Pw40k86/f#-D+++++A++++/cWD86R+++++T(D)DM++
It sounds like fun. I still have yet to play the other shadowrun games but you've recommended them. Money is always a problem. That and it would be yet another thing to be addicted to.
I am excited to an unhealthy degree by this news. Heck, I'm still feeling the afterglow from Shadowrun Returns. This will do nicely for those weeks when my usual gang of victims--- er, the players from my Friday night Shadowrun games, I mean... are unable to make it to the game.
Emperor's Eagles (undergoing Chapter reorganization)
Caledonian 95th (undergoing regimental reorganization)
Thousands Sons (undergoing Warband re--- wait, are any of my 40K armies playable?)
I'm gonna buy the shadowrun games now that they're on sale on steam. I should be able to get them tomorrow when I go to GW (i'll buy some steam cards while I'm there).
When this does come out I'd gladly play with some of you guys. You totally have to play a game of something with me one of these days Lynata.
I'll have to check it out when it's available. I just download shadowrun returns this weekend actually, it was only $5 Lots of fun, I like the lazy point & click like xcom. I do kind of wish they had voice actors though, I get too lazy to read after a while and I just start clicking random responses just to get on with the game.
No kidding, the story's the best part-- in both the original and the expansion.
The people in the past who convinced themselves to do unspeakable things were no less human than you or I. They made their decisions; the only thing that prevents history from repeating itself is making different ones.
-- Adam Serwer
My blog
What can I say, I'm lazy I skimmed for the cliff notes version. I'll probably get the expansions sometime soon.. are any of the player made campaigns any good?
The people in the past who convinced themselves to do unspeakable things were no less human than you or I. They made their decisions; the only thing that prevents history from repeating itself is making different ones.
-- Adam Serwer
My blog
Got myself and a friend shadowrun returns and the dragonfall content on sunday. He seems pretty addicted to the game as am I. I have to say it is good but some of it is kind of meh.
However I only paid 20 dollars for buying both games so I'm not really complaining. So far from what I've played I'd have to say xcom is better with some of the turn based stuff. That said xcom also has a lot of glitches and costs a lot more.
This game definitely has some interesting parts to it. I decided to play as a human decker and so far nothing too interesting has happened with decking. I'm all the way to the part where you're with the native American girl and sneaking into the facility after all the police were killed off by mercenaries.
As far as the elf girl at the bar goes something tells me her boyfriend either got killed by the ripper or she's about to. Would either have new body parts? I don't remember hearing much on those specifics.
As far as the ripper murders go it would almost sound like somebody is trying to cut up new human parts people got and sell them back or possibly wherever these people got their new parts didn't get paid or something and is taking them back. We'll have to see what's going on.
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So lots happened. I think I'd rather not spoil it for any that haven't played though that seems unlikely. Just gonna say I'm all the way up to the funeral part with Sam's sister.
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Also an aside I like to consider the seamstress's owner to be a 'hooker queen' or an Asian queen latifa. Whenever she waves her hand and people stop speaking I imagine somebody says, "The 'hooker queen' has spoken!".
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Ok so I left the brotherhood building and all I have to say is "Bugs? WTF Bugs!!!?!"
Spoiler:
So the story was great as a murder mystery and even following up to a cult I accepted it a bit though I sorta questioned the bits about world domination or powers in the government but then I suppose one could say it's scientology gone wild....or well wilder mixed with a more insane cult following that generally is only seen in the very extreme and least numerous of society.
All that said the bit where this murder mystery turns out that your contact's sister is being controlled by fething bugs is slowed to me. This couldn't have been the original motivation for the bugs. I'm supposed to think of bugs with a world dominating scheme here? Hopefully they took over the sister after her chance at revenge bit or they made her play on her hatred until she started devolving or something. Then there are bug spirits? WTF?! Ok this is getting downright campy. Not that that's always a bad thing since campiness tends to be fun and definitely fits the old school vibe. I get we're dealing with a society run by magic and futuristic cybernetic technology but it's getting a bit ridiculous to me even by these standards. Perhaps I should learn more about the lore?
Other than that I have to say so far the game has been an incredible experience. I think I'm nearing the end but I'm not sure (probably just another few missions and it'll be done). It's a fantastic game but I don't know how much replay value it has. There aren't really sidequests and beyond trying to play different main characters there's not too much else to do. The story will be the same as will the fights. Clothing options are extremely limited though I don't totally mind. The game could also use a slightly better cover system I think. Maybe I'm just used to xcom where cover and line of sight is so crucial it's almost second nature.
I still have more to play but that's just my opinion on 'shadowrun: returns' so far.
This message was edited 5 times. Last update was at 2014/05/07 08:00:03
Emperor's Eagles (undergoing Chapter reorganization)
Caledonian 95th (undergoing regimental reorganization)
Thousands Sons (undergoing Warband re--- wait, are any of my 40K armies playable?) 
Lots of fun, I like the lazy point & click like xcom. I do kind of wish they had voice actors though, I get too lazy to read after a while and I just start clicking random responses just to get on with the game.
