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Shadowrun vs. Shadowrun
eToyChest's regular 'I roll 20s' column today looks at the different faces of Shadowrun in the world of Videogames. Before the most recent, ill-conceived, 360 title there were several other attempts to bring the rich cyberpunk-meets-Tolkien world to gamers with controllers. Some met with more success than others. From the article: "In the Genesis Shadowrun, you played an actual Shadowrunner, the sort of guy a corporation would pay to do their dirty work, and then deny the existence of after the fact should things manage to find a fan and hit it. Moreover, you were given the ability to create a character designed after whichever abilities and archetypes you found to be most savory, and as a result, a huge array of hybrid character styles were available, creating a game with a good deal more replay value than most Sega Genesis action RPGs."
Microsoft rewrote the timeline and setting for this game, so it is not in continuity with the tabletop RPG. It may be more accurately described as a game loosely based on Shadowrun.
Hmmm, take a product that somebody else produced. Modify it slightly, slap your name tag on it, and sell. Sounds familiar.
I recently played the SNES version. While playing it, I kept thinking that they could have renamed a few people, changed a few graphics, and resold the game as a "Matrix" game...
My favorite games for the Genesis were SFII, Phantasy Star 3&4, all of the Shining series, and Shadowrun. I still remember when you interfaced with what was like their version of an internet; you'd try and break their security to disable cameras, open doors, get data, etc. That was pretty novel at the time.
0- Eamonman Proud member of DNRC
The Xbox is looking more and more like the video game equivalent of an elephant graveyard.
It has become the platform where old video game companies and titles get lame and go to die on.
I've been trying to find the Genesis version at flea markets and used game stores around here for a while, without much success. The only person that had it wanted as much as the game probably cost when it was new.
I felt it was a lot better than the SNES version, which was incredibly linear. The Genesis version let you free-roam for the most part, in both "the Matrix" and the streets of Seattle, and complete the missions when you wanted. I figure that I looked at it the same way kids look at San Andreas today.
It also made the first Gibson novel I read (when I was thirteen or so) all the more entertaining. "Wait a second, Black ICE, Chiba City, Runs...I know this!"
You all know when you first saw the Matrix movie trailer, and saw people in trench coats, with lots of guns, and hackers that seemed to be also experiencing almost magical phenomena, was set in the very close future, etc... that you thought a Shadowrun movie was coming out. And you went to www.whatisthematrix.com and were incredibly let down when it was an original IP, but you couldn't help thinking they still ripped a whole bunch off of Shadowrun.
Now why would I want a Shadowrun game that will, in essence, replicate that feeling I had after watching the Matrix movie trailer? It will probably look like Shadowrun in that it will be futuristic and dark, and have similar ideas or themes. But it still won't be Shadowrun, dammit!
Having played both the SNES and Genesis versions, they were at least far more passible approaches at translating the pen-and-paper game to video gaming than the crap that's showing up on 360.
The SNES version was okay, but the Genesis version was always my favorite in that it allowed more customization. Both games allowed you to hire other runners, and I'm not quite sure which one had more to select from, but Genesis gave you the options of either hiring them for a single run or hiring them as permanent companions. In relation, Genesis used a more complete stat set than SNES so that only increased the control you had in developing your characters.
Matrix combat in Genesis was more challenging than SNES, but more rewarding as well. Of course, almost nothing else gave more satisifaction than masking pass a strong IC. I would have liked to see the ability to choose your race, though, since that would bring out many more options.
The stories in both games were okay, though not as complex as some of the Shadowrun novels from the same era.
While it wasn't the first time this has been covered The Gamer's Quarter had a longer, more in-depth article about the previously released Shadowrun games back in issue #5. Sure it didn't include anything about the crappy-sounding Microsoft title, but then again... who really cares about it?
At this point in time, I'd trust the Dystopia mod for HL2 to give me a better interpretation of Shadowrun than Microsoft will.
On eBay I see genesis shadowrun for about 20 USD incl. shipping.
I've played the pen and paper RPG through all four editions. I love the old Genesis game. When I first heard about this new game, I was so excited that I couldn't wait to get more info.
Now, I will bad mouth this game every single chance that I get. I hope that they choke on the costs and release the brand to someone who can give us a good game that actually hase something to do with Shadowrun.
I think that if they really wanted a true to RPG table top game for the PS3 or what ever they should have made a shadowrun game like how the newer GTA's are set up. That way people can pick what type of char. they want to be. be it Rigger / Decker / Mage / Body Mods / or combo, but you would be able to grow your char. like if on one mission your arm gets blown of you can go to a hosiptal and get a new one put on be it cyber or cloned. i think making Shadowrun a FPS is the worst idea i have ever heard! (well i hate ALL FPS so it is hard for me to say anything else.)