shadowrun xbox 360 new and sealed

Microsoft may well be rueing the day they ever green-lit this game, such has been the cacophony of online complaints and whining. Shadowrun was originally a tabletop role-playing game, a curious mix between Tolkien-esque high fantasy and sci-fi cyberpunk, and was adapted for two quite different but equally admired role-playing games for the SNES and Mega Drive, back in the mid-90s. The reason online fans are getting so upset is that this game is absolutely nothing like them, in fact it’s a first person shoot ‘em-up – although quite an unusual one at that.

Since the peculiar Shadowrun universe features both magic and technology the end result is a sci-fi version of Counter-Strike, with added elves. As such you have access to a wide range of different magic and technology-based gadgets, ranging from hang-gliders and X-ray vision to the ability to teleport through solid walls, resurrect fallen comrades and create life giving trees. You can only use three abilities at once though, with many limiting the amount of magical energy you have stored. Tactics are further complicated by which race you play as, from the stealthy but weak elves to the magical essence-stealing dwarves.

As in Counter-Strike there’s no single player mode, just a series of tutorials and some basic simulations of the online mode against the computer. Microsoft is also terribly keen to promote the fact that you can play against both PC gamers and those using a 360 – although the difference in controllers and potential set-ups means it’s not exactly a level playing field (not that the graphics are particularly extravagant.) The graphics aren’t the problem though, but the fact that there are only nine maps, which does seem rather stingy for what is otherwise an impressively unique and imaginative online shooter.