Shadowrun: Hong Kong

Formula, polished almost to perfection. Immersive storytelling and an emphasis on multiple ways to complete the missions make this game a real RPG and not only a turn-based strategy spiced up with the story. [Issue#256]

If you loved Dragonfall, you're going to really like Hong Kong.

Harebrained Schemes has again struck gold within the Shadowrun universe. Refined Decking and brilliant writing as well as some genuine surprises breathe life into the fantastical future Hong Kong setting. Sadly, some pacing and level design issues stop it just short of the heights it was reaching for.

Shadowrun didn't need a revolution to impress, considering the base game was simple but tactical and well calculated. With Hong Kong, though, the developers went the extra mile, finely creating a great storyline, and an inspired background. We expect more enhancement in the gameplay for future DLCs and expansions, but for now we're fully satisfied.

Shadowrun Hong Kong shows the excellent level of skills in Harebrained Schemes. Although the title can't compete in terms of graphics with high-profile productions, and the gameplay model can still be improved, new Shadowrun is still a very recommendable game.

Shadowrun Hong Kong’s success boils down to a smart early decision to stay true to Hong Kong, and exaggerate the flaws of the city’s bizarre governing philosophy to find a new, urgent relevance in the cyberpunk genre.

The best Shadowrun to date, but the series is starting to go grey.

Solid improvement over Dragonfall? YES!! I loved Dragonfall, and Shadowrun Hong Kong is on par with Dragonfall Directors Cut right out of the gate. As always, Harebrained Schemes writing is top-notch, delivering a wonderfully winding story with multiple engaging paths, side-plots, and endings. The graphic quality is improved, the music is enchantingly appropriate for the setting and situations, along with the new environmental sound tweaks in the background, the audio is is a pleasurable element throughout the shadows of Hong Kong. Combat is solid and fun, much as it was in 'Returns and Dragonfall, with new weapons, spells and cyberware. And as always with HBS's Shadowrun games, there are engaging characters and NPC's I love, or just love to hate. As the game just released, and the their studio isn't large, there are some bugs, which is to be expected, but for me, nothing came up that impacted my gameplay, and the devs have already issues 2 or 3 Updates. Based on their track record, Shadowrun Hong Kong will only get better from here, Chummers! Metacritic's gonna need to bump up the scoring to 11 ^_^

Does a good job of introducing concepts from the world. Definitely recommend this over as an entry point to the shadowrun universe. Could have done a better job in all departments, but is still pretty enjoyable.

i had fun, it was great, but I can't say it is an upgrade from Dragonfall on any field, i can actually say i liked SHDF much better. Still recomend it tho, a couple of great moments awaits you there.

Storyline: bad Dialogue: bad Gameplay: average Progression: bad NPCs: bad The worst part of this game is the storyline and dialogue. In almost every dialogue box there are "scene details"; like this [the orc is covered head to toe in heavy armor, a red and blue pattern with unreadable words scribbled on it. He turns to you, nodding slightly before tightening his grip on his firearm] then it goes into the dialogue sequence. I am playing a game, not reading a novel. Games have visual representation. The dialogue is long-winded and mostly pointless. It is inconsistent in many parts with the overall story. Especially with certain character / race builds. The game is full of typing errors, and I don't just mean simple excusable things. I mean typing errors like this [He then asks can you be be able do it?] Progression is horrible. You play the missions, and then after each mission you unlock more dialogue with the characters at the "hub area". After every 2 missions, you will unlock more weapons / spells and gear to upgrade. You can't find any good weapons etc and hold onto them. There is nothing special. It's simply "buy" the upgrade for your class every two missions. The combat is okay, but hurt by very basic enemy AI. There are many ways to deal damage (via weapons / magic / summons) but they all do the same thing. For example, armor blocks physical damage and magic damage. So there is no strategy, it's just a different graphic to deal damage and they are equally as good. Characters that join your group are terrible with bad skills. You have a "computer hacker" who uses a grenade launcher. It's stupid. The skills they learn on level ups are mostly crap. Basically it's a crappy game, aimed at a niche group of people (who dont get out much) Don't be fooled into thinking this is like Xcom. This is more like reading a bad novel then tactical gameplay.

Huge disappointment after shadowrun returns and dragonfall. Disgusting mini-bugs, exaggerated dialogues. Every innovation has only made the game worse. Matrix fights are crappier, karma tree crappier ... HongKong itself looks terrible. I can't recommend,it's damn annoying.