Summary
The past year has been terrific for RPG fans.Cyberpunk 2077has seen a massive resurgence withthe release of Phantom Libertyand Patch 2.0, while fantasy fans have been graced with the full release ofBaldur’s Gate 3,which took the game award season by storm.
Cyberpunk 2077andBaldur’s Gate 3are fantastic representations of their respective genres, but there is still a particular niche that hasn’t been filled in a long while. Gaming needs a world where it’s perfectly normal to see a cyber samurai square off with a spell-slinging mage, all the while a hellhound is rampaging through a mall the street over. It’s high time a newShadowrungame made an appearance.
Shadowrun: A Near-Future Dystopia With Dragons
The Sixth World
Anyone who has playedCyberpunk 2077or immersed themselves in one of the many representations of a high-tech future – such asDeus Ex,Blade Runner, and so on – will find themselves on common ground inShadowrun. Human augmentation and hyper-capitalism run rampant, the streets are filled with crime, and the world is on the precipice of self-destruction. What makesShadowrundifferent from its counterparts is that Corpos will quite literally steal people’s souls to fuel some kind of eldritch money-making scheme, while the “Lizard People” who run the world are actual dragons, and calling them lizards out in public may have some unfortunate implications for one’s future well-being.
Shadowrunners
Just likeCyberpunkhas its Edgerunners,Shadowrunplayers take on the role of Shadowrunners who live on the edge of legality – sometimes fully over the edge – who take on secretive missions for shadowy clients.Corporate espionage, theft, assassinations, and the like are all part of the game. However, instead of just picking a particular flavor of cyberware and gear to customize the player character,Shadowrunoffers a plethora of choices, more in line withBaldur’s Gateand itsD&Droots.
Shadowrun Needs a Second Comeback Tour
Shadowrun Returns, Again
Besides being a tabletop RPG that has entered its sixth edition in 2019,Shadowrunalso encompasses three games developed by Harebrained Schemes -Shadowrun Returns,Shadowrun: Dragonfall, andShadowrun: Hong Kong. The games were Kickstarter-funded projects that found financial and critical success, but fans haven’t been graced by anotherShadowrungame since 2015.
Anyone who’s playedBaldur’s Gate 3, or any other turn-based RPG, will find themselves on familiar ground, but theShadowruntrilogy sports its own spin on character creation. Contrary to theclass-based system ofBG3,Shadowrunoffers more freedom when building and leveling a character, enabling players to mix and match various skills to create a unique build. Sword-wielding street warriors are perfectly capable of casting spells, while mages aren’t discouraged from carrying a shotgun in addition to their spellbooks.
The Perfect Cyberpunk Fantasy
On top of having challenging turn-based combat, and a deep customization system, the stories of theShadowruntrilogy are prime cyberpunk material. Corporate plots that run rampant with corruption, power games, and characters grappling with the essence of humanity in a transhumanist world all blend seamlessly with the more esoteric aspects ofShadowrun’sworld. A neighborhood likeCyberpunk’s Pacificais quite a common occurrence, but in addition to gangs and crime, players would also have to grapple with the inevitable spiritual corruption that exists in a place like that.
Although it could be attributed to CD Projekt Red’s existing fanbase, thesuccess of theCyberpunk: Edgerunnersanime and films likeBlade Runner 2049prove that audiences are fond of and eager for more stories within the cyberpunk genre.Shadowrun’sadded layer of fantasy elements in a sci-fi world opens so many more opportunities to explore themes the cyberpunk genre is fond of while creating fresh twists on familiar fantasy tropes.Shadowrun’sworld offers an enormous amount of potential stories that can be told, while its game system could offer hours of experimentation with skill builds, gear, cyberware, and spells.
It is also extremely obvious, with the response toBG3, that the market is still very fond of turn-based RPGs, as well as deep stories with complex characters - reminiscent of old BioWare titles. The success of its early access period could serve as a model for potential future developers.Larian Studiosproved it works with the amazing standard of communication they held with their fanbase. As it stands, turn-based RPGs have returned in a bombastic fashion, while the cyberpunk genre is more and more relevant to the current cultural zeitgeist. It’s safe to say, that now would be the perfect time for a studio to take a crack at the Shadowrun IP once again.
Cyberpunk 2077
WHERE TO PLAY
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure from the creators of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red.Set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour and body modification, you play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality.Upgraded with next-gen in mind and featuring free additional content, customize your character and playstyle as you take on jobs, build a reputation, and unlock upgrades.The relationships you forge and the choices you make will shape the story and the world around you. Legends are made here. What will yours be?
