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Shadowrun Q&A: A closer look at the cyberpunk RPG |
Listed in: Xbox 360, PC Gaming Tags: Gamespot, Microsoft Game Studios
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The cyberpunk RPG that looks to be in the spirit of D.W. Bradley's cyberpunk classic CyberMage: Darklight Awakening, Shadowrun, is focused on a merge of supernatural spells and powers and technological enhancements such as cybernetically enhanced bodies and sci-fi weapons. The game is slated to come out this second quarter of 2007 for the Xbox 360 and the PC, but handles better on the 360.In a Q&A with Mitch Gitelman, studio manager of FASA Studios (under the umbrella of Microsoft Game Studios), the staff of GameSpot reviewed the details of the game just to clarify things a bit.
In all aspects, Shadowrun is a team-based FPS that blends magic, modern weapons and advanced technology. The characters in the game are those you can find in most fantasy novels, such as elves and dwarves, but now exist in a much, much modern age.
Although you can shoot every enemy you encounter, the game gives you even better ways of outsmarting and outmaneuvering your enemies by your character's grasp of ancient essence magic. But there must be a balance of technology and magic, such that applying a lot of technology-based armor and skills appends penalties to a race's magical capabilities. Each race has their own pros and cons.
Humans have an affinity to technology, so they get lesser penalties when applying technology and wielding magic. The elves are magical by nature, so appending technological enhancements to them hinders their ability to cast and hold multiple spells simultaneously. The dwarves are short, so they can dodge much of the rounds being spent in a firefight. They are excellent short-range support fighters. The Troll, however, remains as the tank of the game. They are slow, but with the right modifications and a perfect melee weapon, they aren't just the first thing you have to worry about. They ARE the only thing you'd worry about.
There are spells that heal, that breathe life back again to your allies, that impede movement, that summon creatures, that pushes enemies back and that allows characters to be completely permeable. Gliders, enhanced ocular implants, smartlink targeting add-ons for weapons, wired reflexes, and anti-magic generators are available to the technologically-inclined players. Weapons range from swords to rifles, and heavy support guns like chainguns. They are pretty much weapons that most FPS players already know about, so they can quickly and easily employ them in the battlefield.
Combinations of skills and technology will come into play, and with practice and a little creativity, you can create your own moments of glory.
Via GameSpot
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