Shadowrun Returns

The main pros of the game

• Engaging Story and Atmosphere: The game features a compelling narrative set in a rich cyberpunk-fantasy world, with twists and morally complex choices that enhance player engagement.
• Tactical Combat: The turn-based combat system is strategic and satisfying, requiring careful planning and use of character skills. Players can creatively approach encounters through hacking, stealth, or combat.
• Character Customization: Players can customize their characters with various classes and skills, allowing for diverse gameplay styles and enhancing replayability.
• Strong Writing: Dialogue and character interactions are well-written, contributing to an immersive experience.
• Visual Appeal: The hand-drawn art style and isometric perspective provide a visually pleasing experience.
• Community Support: The game has a robust modding community, allowing players to create and share additional content, which extends the game's lifespan.

The main cons of the game

• Linear Gameplay: The game is criticized for its linear storyline, which can feel restrictive and lacks open-world exploration.
• Short Campaign: Many players found the main campaign to be relatively short (around 10-15 hours), leading to low replayability despite character customization options.
• Technical Issues: Some users reported bugs and quality-of-life issues, such as problems with turn order and mechanics that can disrupt gameplay.
• Balance Issues: Certain character classes are viewed as underpowered or overpowered, leading to an unbalanced gameplay experience.
• Limited Exploration: The game lacks in-depth exploration and side quests, which some players found disappointing.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Deeper Role-Playing Elements: Players expressed a desire for more open-world mechanics, side quests, and choices that impact the story more significantly.
• Expanded Character Options: Some reviews noted that racial and class limitations felt restrictive, reducing the diversity of viable character builds.
• More Background Lore: Users mentioned a lack of backstory about the game's world, which could enhance understanding and immersion.
• Improved Combat Mechanics: Suggestions were made for a more fleshed-out magic system and better balance among classes, particularly regarding melee and magic users.
• Quality of Life Improvements: Many players highlighted the need for modern UI features and better explanations of game mechanics to improve the user experience.

Summary

• Overall, while Shadowrun Returns has its flaws, it is regarded as a solid introduction to the Shadowrun universe, especially for fans of tactical RPGs and those who appreciate narrative-driven gameplay.

Summary generated on: October 28, 2025