PS: Almost 600 users have given an average score of 8.8 on Shadowrun. Perhaps that's a bunch of fanboys like me. Perhaps not.

Despite what Gamespot said, what you just wrote compels me to buy the game even more. I'm sure I'll get my hands on a copy before your LAN, after I get some good time with the demo.

I'll say something about that makes SR among one of the most different and best FPS's I've played. No-one can be a weapon whore in SR. Everyone starts out with the same setup and you gain weapons and powers through skill. The better you do early on, the more money you'll have to buy the weapons you want.

Your almost never stuck in a situation where some terd grabs a rocket launcher before you, leaving you to grab your ankles and squeal like a pig when they point it your way. You're never racing to get to a weapon before one of your teammates, you don't have to learn the map in relation to where the weapons are because your in total control of that aspect of it. Skill is the deciding factor. Kill off a newb and take his weapon and you don't have to buy one the next round.

Also, the game feels good to play. And yes, 9 maps is insane for the type of gameplay this game has. I think it'll last me for a while. Because the weapons are carried with you from the beginning, each game will be different as far as what people will drop where when they die.

The designers probably had some of the best choices for the voice communication I could possibly ever want. You hear your whole team, if you die, you can still talk to them and help them out so you feel like your still contributing instead of sitting there in a post-death lobby.

This game is about mobility IMO. You really just try to calculate your moves and move in and pick off someone and get the heck out of there. The abilities and magic keep the game from getting stagnant.

I predict some embarrassed reviewers in the future.

I consider this general information about the original post, so I'd like to address it to everyone instead of replying to a particular post...if that's OK...

It's pretty lame they criticized it for the differences in backstory. Why not criticize the box art or some other ridiculous facet of the game that has nothing to do with how much fun it is to play?

Personally, I think the lack of a campaign is a bold and timely decision. They could have thrown a half-assed 10-hour campaign in if they had wanted, but the core of the game is MP so they devoted 100% of their resources to MP. Why is that a bad thing?

6.9 is ridiculous. I would give the Beta somewhere around 7.5. With better graphics, new gametypes, and new maps I bet it easily crests 8.5 in my book, although I am yet to play the final version.

You can't really trust game reviews sometimes due to the length and the depth that a game offers. It might literally take years for an editorial to play a game extensively and truly appreciate it and criticize it for what it is. For example, if someone's been playing World of WarCraft for five days and says it's a bad game, I'm not likely to trust that critique because he hasn't experienced it to a certain extent.

I think it's unfair that Shadowrun was rated lower than it should have been by GameSpot merely because it had nothing to do with the RPG. Although I might get upset if I bought a game with "Halo" in its name and it turned out to be a turn-based role-player.

Unreal Tournament anybody?? I agree, it's like people haven't heard of the concept of a multiplayer-only game up until now.

I agree, it takes quite a while for someone to get the feel for a game.. THXers wouldn't be criticizing H3 for half of the things we do if we hadn't been playing the game or some form of it for years and years.

I've never played Counter-Strike, so I don't know how it compares to Shadowrun.

What?

I'll elaborate and hope it answered your word question. Reply back if I don't.

Gamespot said that the game looked incomplete because the ladder climbing animation was...well, there's no climbing animation. The character just kind of rises and lowers up and down the ladder. It looks a little odd.

FASA had a decision to make. Let the gamer control his movements, his camera view, and gun while climbing or make the gamer press a button to get on and off the ladder as well as make the gamer pack away his weapon.

FASA chose to let the gamer control his movements and gun. There are ladders in strategic locations in every map. You'll want to jump on and off the ladder quickly. You'll want to shoot from that ladder in all directions. And you'll definitely want to look around you.

Because of the way everyone runs around and shoots their weapons, making someone not be able to shoot from a ladder or click a button to get on/off the ladder would discourage anyone from getting on the ladder to begin with. That stuff wouldn't fit into the gameplay of Shadowrun.

So, you don't have to worry about not having an escape or weapon to fire while on the ladder.

Note that Gamespot didn't knock HALO's ladder climbing animation which is similar. In fact, most action/shooter FPS's don't have realistic climbing animations.

I don't recall GameSpot beating down Halo for its missing ladder animation.

Battlefield 2(142)
F.E.A.R. (This game has some of the best realistic animations in my opinion.)

How big are the ladders in Shadowrun, anyway? Are we talking high, like Infinity in Halo PC, or small, like Wizard?

Rap & Oculus: I'm curious. How is the cross-platform gameplay working out? Are you guys choosing to play the PC or 360 version only? I realize a M/KB combo can be more precise, but the PC version doesn't have auto-aim. Have the developers hit the perfect balance for the two platforms?

The mouse has acceleration (controllable acceleration) and no auto-aim. The controller has no acceleration and auto-aim.

So, the mouse is good for getting you into the fight quickly. But, the controller is good for tracking and shooting beyond a medium distance.

I am playing 90% on Vista with a controller. That's because the User Interface was designed for a controller. More importantly, the Quick Cast menu (which allows you to quickly cast a spell like Resurrection or Tree of Life) is about four times as slow with a KB/M. If I play with KB/M, I'll not be able to play as fast as I did on the 360.

I think the gameplay is very balanced. However, the user interface isn't balanced. Because navigating the UI is important at certain times in game, the controller has the advantage. I've asked a developer to change the UI for KB/M. I don't think it's going to go over.

It's a little to early to tell how balanced the game is and which is the dominate platform (or input device). But if the UI doesn't change there will be no way to tell. FASA will sacrifice KB/M gameplay for the sake of overall balanced gameplay.

Additionally, the LIVE experience isn't that great on PC. You've probably read my article. This game has more problems than those I mentioned. XBOX 360 wins in that situation.

It's not worth it getting it for the PC if you've got a 360. If you can get it up and running, the Vista experience with a controller isn't that bad. Unfortunately, the game has a lot of bugs in Vista - some FASA's fault - some not.

Oh. And dedicated servers seem impossible to install. If I could install dedicated servers, the experience would get a lot better for me and my friends.

I can say that I do enjoy playing at super high resolution and framerates. That's a better experience.

As me again in a few months and I'll have a better stance on things.

MLG says this is the "best shooter on XBOX 360".

Conversely the game is averaging 67/100 right now with 8 major reviews: http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/shadowrun?q=shadowrun

This game could have a small install base without some positive reviews.

I'll let you know when I get it running properly.

No, they didn't. It was rumor, but was denied by the developers

Sometimes I think game reviewers like GameSpot and IGN do shrooms before reviewing some games....just a personal theory. In all seriousness though, I've never trusted reviewers of any kind, movie critics, game critics, reviewers, etc. I'll probably check out the Shadowrun demo, at the least.

After playing the final version Saturday night on Xbox 360 I think this is an awesome shooter. The gameplay is so deep that I think the negative aspects that reviews are focusing on are really moot. The game is a blast to play. I definitely like it as much as Halo 3 Beta.

Honestly, i's very apparent this guy didn't spend over a few hours with this game. He has no idea what he's talking about, and it's blatent.

Penny Arcade's comic:

Ctrl-Alt-Del's Shadowrun comic:

Gamepro: 4.25/5
2old2play: 8.5/10

Now that's more like it.

IGN: 6.8
Gamespot: 6.9

None of the reviews deny Shadowrun being a fun game, but almost all agree that it feels like you are paying full price for a half price game. Since this was the first game to try and help MS push the cross-platform gaming, why put together something that obviously seems unfinished? Why charge $59.99 for an online only game that has only a hand and four fingers full of maps and 3 gametypes, regardless of their fun or size? Was this game published by MS, if so I thought MS published games were supposed to be $49.99 anyways? If you are trying to push something so hard then shouldn't you want to make it as accessible as possible for the masses to play so they can get their feet wet in your LIVE for PC service.

I am looking forward to playing the demo as I am really curious over all the different review scores versus the reviews of fellow gamers here on THX. I want to like it because I need something to hold me until H3, but will shadowrun have any sort of lasting appeal? Especially once September 25th comes? Only the demo and time will tell.

Good thing you didn't quote the 6.0/10 reviews. They are out there.

First and foremost, it's an XBOX 360 title. The cross-platform thing is unnoticed by XBOX 360 users. You won't even know it. Vista users will see things differently as the Live service is a step backwards. Don't let the xplat stuff get in the way.

The only thing that could seem unfinished about the game is that it doesn't have a campaign. I'll think you'll find that the multiplayer experience is very polished.

The maps won't get old. Once you see them, you'll understand. They are massive but they never feel too big because of how they were built. Some maps took over 3 years to make.

Also, Gears of War shipped with one more map than Shadowrun.

Because of Teleport and Glider careful attention was made to every map's wall and ceiling. Tradition games don't have to consider this because you can't go through the wall or glide to the top of the ceiling. (Gust + Glider + Teleport combos have to be considered also). That's what makes the maps fresh. There's always a new way to get into a certain location that helps you.

Recall that Gears of War also shipped with 3 gametypes. The gametypes in Shadownrun are basically Team Slayer meets CTF.

There's almost no chance of seeing a new gametype for Shadowrun. There's very little chance that you'll ever see more than two maps released as DLC. They take too long to make.

There are plenty of maps. The gametypes make the game fun, also. So, I don't think reviewers should knock the game for the lack of maps or gametypes (especially when they didn't take away points from GoW for the same thing).

Microsoft Game Studios published this game. I don't know if you'll ever see a $49 MGS game again. Forza 2 was also $59 and released on the same day. Gears of War was also $59. FASA couldn't set the price.

A lot of forums are full of people wanting the game to cost less than $59 also.

Totally agree. The GfW-Live service is a mess. It's a shame also. Recall that GfW-Live was supposed to launch with HALO 2 (PC). That game suffers the same setbacks as Shadowrun (PC). But like I said, you won't know about the GfW-Live problems if you play on 360. You also won't notice the difference between a PC and 360 player in-game. So, don’t let the PC version’s flaws detract from the 360 version.

I have no idea but I played with bad graphics on two maps for over 3 months straight without playing much of any other game. I will definitely split time between SR and H3 once Sept 25 comes. I expect that it will draw a lot of gamers away from SR. However, I'm plugged into a group of SR gamers and know it will last through H3 based on the beta. What Bungie adds to the game might hook me, though.

Additionally, MLG is considering adding this game as a tournament game. That will increase the life of this game. It might get me even more interested in the game.

This the game I'll play near exclusively in June, July, August, and September.

You can't tell the difference? How will you work toward the 360 vs. PC-specific achievements without knowing which is which? Will you just have to be pleasantly surprised when they're unlocked?

Yes. And it's kind of annoying for me at least for now.

1) At the end of the game someone always comes across the mic and says "oh I got 'Brother from another mother'" or some other xplat achievement.

2) They then go through their recent players list and look for the gamecard with the Windows logo behind it. I then get spammed for invites and friend requests. Occasionally, I'll get verbally abused for not partying up with 360 games. You see, there's an achievement for being in a party with xplat user.

Why are you guys getting so Bent out of shape becaUse it got low reviews?

Because the THX'ers that played the game reaLly liked it.

Ditto what Rap said. I think the reviewers are shafting a great game due to shortsightedness. This may adversely impact the number of people (THX'ers included) that buy it, which will end up impacting my own enjoyment of it.

Ah.

I'm surprised at the number of people online that actually understand how the game works. They are buying Resurrection very early (sometimes in the first round). They are also buying Trees of Life early. I wasn't expecting this. I was expecting most people to jump in the game and play with the Pistol and SMG all game long while buying the selfish magic, like Enhanced Vision and Teleport, whenever they can afford it. But the folks online and actually getting the economy system and playing WITH their team.

Shadowrun is a big game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. You can be the best shooter in the world and get owned by a little Dwarf with Glider, Smoke, and a Katana. Each magic and technology can be beat by some trump card. However, a good shooter and hold his/her own provided they are accurate. But sooner or later some trump card will be played that they have no answer for.

There's a learning curve to the game. Most people get half way up the learning curve by playing through the 6 training missions. Surprisingly, most people are playing through the training (I figured they'd skip it).

I'm assuming you didn't play through all 6 training missions (which could take a couple of hours, by the way). The training missions explain the game step by step and is some of the best training I've seen in a game.

If you didn't play through all of the missions, then you didn't get to experience how the economy of magic, technology, and weapons worked.

If you did play through the missions, then it sounds like someone played a trump card on you.

LOL!!! Jonathan, you crack me up!

1up: 8.0/10
MLG: "One of the best shooters since HALO 1"

Demo should be out on Thursday.

That explains a lot then.

Training was definitely in the beta. I wonder what else you missed.

RAPTURE, are you really going to let thIS gAme get iN between us like thAt? Sure we have our differenceS. but never in my life would i let tHis game tear the bOnds that we so strongly share. now i know i'm not the most observent felLow around, but arE you going to hate me because I dislike this game? i knew you wouldn't come down to my level and actually try to insult me in some cleverly defised way that i probably wouldn't understand untill someone explained it to me. so i thank you for that.

as always, with lots of love,

Jonathan

Goober. :)

I have no idea how freaking busy you must be to type all those CamelCaps

Torrent:

I've been taking your bait. I'm unsure if I'll bite any more.

You asked why people weren't agreeing with some of the reviews the game was getting. I answered your question.

You said that you didn't like the game because a dwarf with glider killed you. I don't get why that one event would cause someone to write off a video game. So, I explained that the game is a game of paper, rock, scissors, that that if you go into the game without playing the training, you will eventually get trumped by some build.

You explained to me that you did not in fact do the training that was available in the beta which means that you weren't able to fully experience it. There's a difference between doing the training and playing and just playing. So, that explained to me why might have been frustrated.

Still, your first impressions count for something (regardless of you doing the 3 training missions or not). Maybe just as much as a book's cover counts for something.

I don't hold anything against you except that you changed your gamertag to THX Nutsack. Offensive and contains the letters "THX". But, it's your money and I'll get over it because I love your cookies.

First off when I asked everyones oppinion about changing my gamertag, you said nothing. So how was I to know that it offended you. I will change my tag back if it means that much to you, the last thing I would want to do is bring a bad name to your website. and yes I do make some awsome cookies. Now I must go boil a couple weiners for my younger brothers. they're gettin hungry.

-Jonathan-

p.s. You have been very helpful in answering my questions, and you always open your house for lans. those are things i appreciate.

the shadowrun shooter is a total waste of the rpg license.
hump off.