Shadowrun: Dragonfall – Review (PC)

Shadowrun: Dragonfall – Review (PC)

Shadowrun Returns returns, and it is a return to form.

Ok, gameface on. Most people reading this review are going to want to know whether it is any good? Does it warrant the price tag? And what does it add enough new features on top of the base game to keep me interested? Well wonder no longer: yes, yes and well it’s not a closed question so we’ll get to that. The rest of the review will contain some minor spoilers so if you don’t want to read I understand.

I’m going to presume that the majority of people reading this have either played Shadowrun Returns or watched some kind of Let’s Play of it. You might not have completed the game, or done all of the various asides, but you will have at the very least an idea of what the game is. If you haven’t, it is probably one the foremost examples of a tabletop game that has made the leap on to the digital platform. Even if some previous attempts did not capture the lore’s quasi-mystic setting.

2014-02-26_00002
Welcome to the red light district, not much has changed.

Personally I found that a strong undercurrent of Shadowrun Returns’ campaign (Dead Man’s Switch) was that it was heavy centred around the player character and their personal story. The narrative was deep and allowed the player to have sway over some key choices. Dragonfall’s campaign, however centres around a pre-existing group of Shadowrunners, your character is simply the new guy. Through complete chance you end up with leadership thrust upon you and you have to manage a complex set of relationships within the party. The writing is crisp and clever and each character has their own motives and desires, most of all though none of them are romance able – sorry Bioware fans.

The narrative is set within the city state of Berlin, as opposed to Seattle. The cast is completely different, and shift in culture gives the game a different focus. There is much more of an emphasis on politics in this title, in particular those of the so-called ‘flux state’, which basically the Weimar Republic gone wrong. While you and your team do not get directly involved with power struggles you do find yourself painfully aware of it, influencing it from afar. In short there are strong overtones within the game that you are very much on the fringe of society, something which I don’t think Dead Man’s Switch communicated as effectively.

2014-02-26_00004

I think that the great triumph of Dragonfall is not in its execution; it demonstrates just how great the map editor that is built in to the game really is. As none of the characters in either campaigns are voice acted it gives a great sense of player-agency, there is no reason why the campaigns that I make can’t be as good as the ones made by the developers Hare Brained Schemes. With the expansion comes a whole host of new tools for players to get their teeth stuck in to and use within their own campaigns.

While the main highlight for the majority of players will be the campaign, there is a complete offering for players of who enjoy trying their hand at creating their very own campaigns. Isometric RPGs have their place well ingrained within gaming culture. While they have never been easy, they have always been rewarding. The game does a much better job at peeling back the curtain of the Shadowrun lore, and keeps the player gripped as they propel through the story. I do have to admit however that the sidequests still felt a little on the thin side and paled by comparison to the central narrative.

Pros

  • A deep, rich campaign filled with interesting characters and storylines.
  • The tools available in the map editor have been expanded.
  • The addition of a sniper rifle.
  • You can now save anywhere, that you like (this is going out as free dlc, so actually pertains to anyone who is happy with Shadowrun Returns as well).

Cons

  • I had to take a break from playing to write this review.
  • There isn’t much to offer in terms of side quests.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Dragonfall is available on steam now for £11.99.

logo

Related posts

JARS – Review (PC)

JARS - Review (PC)


JARS - Review (PC)

JARS is a charming, fun hybrid of the puzzle and tower defence genres, with a touch of the spooky side, making an enjoyable purchase.

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania – Review (PC)

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania - Review (PC)


Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania - Review (PC)

Super Monkey Ball Banana Mania is an extremely fun entry into the classic series, and is worth a play by any fan of the genre.

Tales of Arise – Review (PS5)

Tales of Arise - Review (PS5)


Tales of Arise - Review (PS5)

Tales of Arise pushes the action-rpg genre to it's absolute pinnacle, and whilst it is never revolutionary, it is one of the best in class.

Starlight Alliance – Review (PC)

Starlight Alliance - Review (PC)


Starlight Alliance - Review (PC)

Starlight Alliance is a fairly basic action-rpg about a pair of outcasts trying to take down an out of control drone network.

Jack Axe – Review (PC)

Jack Axe - Review (PC)


Jack Axe - Review (PC)

Jack Axe is a fun yet challenging puzzle platformer, with colourful retro inspired graphics and a nice soundtrack.

Bonfire Peaks – Review (PC)

Bonfire Peaks - Review (PC)


Bonfire Peaks - Review (PC)

Bonfire Peaks is a calm and satisfying puzzle game about putting all your belongings in bonfires, by moving around boxes.

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl – Review (PC)

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl - Review (PC)


Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl - Review (PC)

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl is a bare-bones fighting game, and despite it looking quite nice, is severely lacking in content and replayability.

Xuan Yuan Sword 7 – Review (PS4)

Xuan Yuan Sword 7 - Review (PS4)


Xuan Yuan Sword 7 - Review (PS4)

Xuan Yuan Sword 7 is a straightforward action adventure game that does exactly what it sets out to do, and is worthy of a play.

The Last Friend – Review (PC)

The Last Friend - Review (PC)


The Last Friend - Review (PC)

The Last Friend is a fun and satisfying crossover of the tower defence and brawler genres, featuring plenty, and plenty of dogs.