Mozleron

Shadowrun Returns brings the post apocalyptic world of Seattle back to life, brought to you by the people that started it all in the first place more than 20 years ago. While there may be some tropes from modern day RPGs such as massive inventories and phat lootz dropping every 3 seconds not present, the streamlined interface and focused game play allow the story and setting to take a much more prominent role. Shadowrun Returns is a triumphant return of the Shadowrun universe to the electronic mediums. There are some very minor points that i found missing from the Pen and Paper game, such as Stun and Physical damage, but all in all, Hairbrained Schemes has done a wonderful job of putting together what is needed to take me back to days gone by with friends sitting around a table, rolling handfuls of 6 sided dice, dodging Lone Star and working for whichever Mr Johnson happened to be paying the bills that particular week.

What is with all the Trolls and haters? Finished the game in 4 hours? Did you cheat? Are you just lying? Why are there so many (or so few, but with lots of accounts and too much free time) people with apparent vendettas against Valve? The "DLC" that these whiners are crying about in no way affects game play. They are hats and little dances for Co-Op mode. If you don't want them, don't buy them. It almost seems like they were put in as a joke anyway. Did these crybabies even try the Co-Op mode? As for the game engine, if they would trade in their 15" CRT monitors for something a little bigger and newer, they could see the game with a better resolution. Also, while you're at it, plop down another $50 to get a decent budget video card so you can play at something above minimum. And finally, as for a console port: Clearly, these trolls have not ever played an actual console port, such as Borderlands. Overall, i think Valve has outdone themselves once again. Yes, there has been some hype, but not enough to warrant this kind of "backlash".

If i had to sum this game up in one word, it would be Frenetic. There is a LOT going on during a match at all times. I'm a huge fan of Team Fortress 2, and after an hour of playing MNC, it makes TF2 look more like a tactical combat game than ever. The Arena style hearkens back to the days of Unreal Tournament with the tight close battles, insane moves, and constant action. The addition of the bots to the team based model ensures that even if you can't find another player to shoot at, you are always in a target rich environment. It might be nice if there were a little more delineation between player ranks on servers so that when you start out, you are not going up against fully decked out veterans. For some fast paced, adrenalin pumping, quick in and out action, you can't go too wrong with Monday Night Combat.

this small studio title brings some interesting twists to the strategic gaming table. It is certainly no Total War, but that is not what they set out to be. There are not many games on the market that delve into ancient Greek history, so it is refreshing to see something new in that respect. There are some rough edges in the interface, but overall this is a solid title. The combat system is rather simple with a pretty obvious rock/paper/scissor + siege type unit selection. The Economic system is pretty easy to manage, and requires you to make proper strategic decisions on where to attack and when to defend. The most interesting part is probably the AI. In some cases, it can be brutal in the way it can sneak up on you, and in other cases, it can be maddening. Sometimes you'll get little raiding parties hitting you in a low value area, and sometimes you get huge invasion forces coming right for your throat. Being able to pause makes this manageable, but you certainly have to stay on your toes. Overall, this was a fun little title to play with. It won't win many awards, but it won't make you feel like you wasted your money either.

Rift is what i would consider to be the culmination of many of the best ideas in the MMO market to date. It capitalizes on many of the features that have made those before it great. There is not really anything revolutionary about Rift, but that's OK as i think Trion did a good job with the evolutionary steps they made with each system, from the world events that you can choose to partake in, to the highly flexible class system, you'll see the hallmarks of the past (and current) greats all around you. One feature i particularly like is the Public Grouping option. If you're running after that elusive named mob somewhere in the world, and you see someone else just about to attack it, there is no need to panic. Just select the other player, and click the little "Join Group" button at the top of their portrait. Once the mob has been dispatched (you did actually help kill it, right?), you both get credit and can continue on your separate ways.

For an inexpensive indy game, this is a home-run. While it may have started out rough around the edges, Paradox, in their usual style, has burnt the midnight oil to whip this great little title into shape. Do yourself a favor and get yourself three friends together and let the mayhem begin.