14 DAY TRIAL // Shadowrun Online is aiming to take the popular role-playing universe to the digital world yet again, this time not as a narrative-driven tactical RPG like Shadowrun Returns did, but as a massively multiplayer online tactical RPG where you get to write your own story.
The game is currently being developed by Cliffhanger Productions, and since March 31 it has been made available through Steam Early Access, and everyone can join in, pledge their support and get a taste of the upcoming game.
The Shadowrun universe is one of the most successful pen and paper RPG settings, set in the near future and blending fantasy creatures with hi-tech gadgets in a unique blend of magic and cyberpunk.
Shadowrun Online was funded through a successful crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter back in 2012, and since then the developers have met a few hurdles and had to push back the original promised delivery date of May 2013.
The good thing is that the version of the game they are currently working on is much bigger in scope than the one the team originally had in mind, and that they are making progress and always adding new stuff.
The Shadowrun Online Early Access launch video tells of the direction the team wants to take the project in the future, outlining the upcoming additions to the MMO and letting Kickstarter backers know that they'll always have the latest additions first.
The playable alpha includes a bit of campaign, containing most of the core elements of combat and some Player vs. Player action, and serves as the most concentrated version of the base game experience.
It is a pretty barebones version indeed, as it has no character creation, no hacking, no items, and only gives a notion of the game's general rhythm, as well as offering an idea of the level of visual detail in the final build.
The recent trend of releasing games to the public before they are done is something of a double-edged sword, but it does offer an undeniably crucial opportunity to get feedback from your most devoted audience, which is also one of the functions of the early alpha.
The four missions available so far contain a bit less talking than the other Shadowrun game has, but they have very similar cover-based shooting and the same atmosphere, where death lurks just around the corner and there are always forces plotting behind the scenes, with you being an actor as well as a witness along for the ride.
The missions have you mainly shooting stuff while looking for a missing girl, and the combat feels really sweet, reminiscent of X-Com, with careful positioning and a sound strategy being key to success.
The difficulty level is pretty high, and if you can take down an enemy in one or two shots, you will soon learn that so can they, unless you take full advantage of cover and your abilities.
Patience is key in winning engagements and going in guns blazing will earn you a swift death. In fact, even cautiously going in will oftentimes result in death, unless you pay close attention to your environment and take no unnecessary chances.
The tactical experience is great, and battles are really challenging, and they will certainly benefit from the options that will be added in the future in addition to the three existing types of shots that each weapon can pull off.
It's a pretty safe assumption that the game's success will ride mainly on the strength and complexity of its tactical combat, and the gameplay mechanics seem to be shaping up quite well.
With the added bonus of all the lore in the Shadowrun universe, and all the options it will confer during engagements, Shadowrun Online will surely be one of the contenders in the crowding multiplayer turn-based tactics arena.
I for one can't wait for future content, as the game's premise is interesting and vast enough to offer tactical gameplay both depth and variety.
If your interest has been roused, head on over to the Shadowrun Online Steam page and learn more about the upcoming game.
