Shadowrun

"Your mother says don't buy drugs, but Shadowrun begs to differ."

Graphics: 7.5/10

I'll admit that the graphics aren't spectacular, and can't be compared to the likes of Gears, but they are good for this gen. The normal graphics bugs can be expected; looking through bodies using the camera when spectating is the norm. You can tell by the videos that the graphics are feasible; I'd call it sub-par eye candy. Most common complaint is the lack of a ladder animation, but honestly; the gameplay is so good that that doesn't even matter.

Community: 9/10

This game probably has the best community online aside from Rainbow Six: Vegas. There are practically NO little kids, and it's very much the opposite of Gears. In my first match, there were people willing to help me out and the like, explain everything and whatnot. The only real problem is the general consensus that the Elf/Wired Reflexes/Smoke/Katana combo is abused, but here's a slight tip: Enhanced Vision>that combo. The forum community is also very friendly, but there's the usual trolls flaming the game and whatnot.

Gameplay: 10/10

This is where Shadowrun shines; with all the possibilities for builds with the Weapons, Magic, and Tech, the game is endless. So there's no single player. WHO CARES?! The online multi is crack, and the bot matches are pretty darn smart. Heck, I spent 2 hours with me and 7 other bots against my friend with 7 bots and had a blast. Forget single player; the multiplayer is enough to make this a $59.99 buy [$49.99 for Vista users]. You have no idea how fun it is to grab the Artifact [the 'flag' in Shadowrun], run away with a friend, surround the place with Strangles and Tree of Life's and watch people try to get in. Good stuff lol.

Overall: 9/10

The gameplay completely makes up for the graphics in this game. This is definitely a must-buy for those with Xbox Live. What makes this even more of a buy is the slight drought during the summer; off the top of my head, only 2 great games are coming out until September; Shadowrun and The Darkness. This is the sleeper hit of the year. Don't listen to those reviews by IGN and Gamespot and such; this is a great game.

Your mother says don't take drugs, but Shadowrun begs to differ. Go out and buy it. NAO!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/12/07