Shadowrun

[Melf]

One of the most loved pen-and-paper RPGs of all time, Shadowrun came to the Genesis in 1994, still maintaining a cult following to this day. It's interesting mixture of cyberpunk atmosphere with deep gameplay has kept gamers coming back for more for over a decade, and so strong is its fanbase that the franchise is being revived soon on the Xbox 360. But does the Genesis version truly live up to its pedigree? Read our full review and find out!

[David J.]

I tried to get into this game, but it was way to open ended and hard for me. With that said, I can't wait for the Japanese version on the Sega CD to get translated someday.

[Flash1087]

I loved this as a kid; don't remember exactly how I got into it or how it wound up in my possession, but darn it, it did, and that's what counts. Looking back on it, it kinda strikes me as a 2-D version of Deus Ex: Invisible War...

And does anyone else think it's odd that the Xbox 360 game is going to be a FPS?

[Joe Redifer]

Any game where you fight a giant EPROM has gotta be the cat's meow.

[VinnyT]

That has to be the sties longest review yet!

Anyway, I always had trouble geting into this, it's fun but I just can't really get anywhere, I keep dieing to early.

[Benjamin]

Anyway, I always had trouble geting into this, it's fun but I just can't really get anywhere, I keep dieing to early.

Sounds like me, too, though I've been meaning to revisit it with a FAQ to help me along. I think the problem is that the game requires an initial grind to get yourself strong enough to survive and progress (based on what I've read elsewhere), but the game is so open-ended that you can't help but venture into more dangerous territories too soon. It's one of those games I hold onto just because I know it's well made and I figure some day I'll "get" it and finally enjoy it.

[dougfunnie]

I was going to post on the main Genesis board, feel free to move it..
but I saw this on ebay, item no 8217909239.
Is it some sort of bootleg? The sller answers a question on the auction page, saying its NTSC, and there are two manuals? I thought it was a bit strange.

[108 Stars]

That´s the Japanese version, you can tell by the shape of the cartridge. I think
I´ve seen other Japanese games with two manuals before...

[dougfunnie]

That explains it I should've known it was obvious..the thing
is, I looked on the master list and only said NA for Shadowrun.
Guess that needs changing.

[Benjamin]

I'd bet more it's the Asian version. Most Hong Kong or Chinese games will have two instruction manuals of sort -- one in the native language, one in English.

[Diogo Ribeiro]

Actually the review was going to be longer as I have a tendency to be long winded, but eventually worked on a shorter version to try and be more concise.

I'd like to thank Ken Horowitz for approving the review as well as helping me out with a couple of trivia related to the game.


Until next time!

[shinobimusashi]

man i have some pretty good memories of playing the actual pen and paper rpg with some of my friends for some of the longest marathons(remember jolt cola) it was a good thing that red bull hadnt been invented yet or we would have probobly overdosed. the game only slightly reminds me of some of the missions we used to trudge through and doesnt really tickle my nostalgia bone like i wouldve liked but its still a pretty interesting genny game though. correct me if im wrong but i think i remember the snes version to be a little better, but its been over 13 years since ive played it or the actual rpg so i dont really know. it might just be me but isnt this one of those games thats just impossible without the instruction manual?

[djshok]

I finally started playing this after having it sit on my shelf and mock me for about 2 years. I must say I really like this game so far. Though it is very tough at the beginning and an initial grind is definitely required to upgrade your character and buy some better equipment. I died about 10 times just at the beginning trying to do some of the basic shadow runs. Fortunately when you die you just wake up at the clinic with some of your cash missing, and not even that much of it is gone. The game is pretty fair that way.

[Curryman123]

IMO no where near as good as the Snes version.

The dark cyberpunk atmosphere of Snes just isn't there. Genesis version feels like a cheap Amiga cyberpunk adventure. Also the music is not good.

The game just feels like fetch quest most of the time, and it's over when the game starts to pick up.

The Snes version has a brilliant storyline, and it keeps you interested till the end.

[SEGA.GENESIS1989]

IMO no where near as good as the Snes version.

The dark cyberpunk atmosphere of Snes just isn't there. Genesis version feels like a cheap Amiga cyberpunk adventure. Also the music is not good.

The game just feels like fetch quest most of the time, and it's over when the game starts to pick up.

The Snes version has a brilliant storyline, and it keeps you interested till the end.

Blasphemy! Burn him at the stake!