Shadowrun: Hong Kong

 PC
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 28 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 28
  3. Negative: 0 out of 28
  1. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Dec 7, 2015
    Shadowrun: Hong Kong is a substantial and in some respects lavish cyberpunk romp, which, if looked at purely in its own right, is only really guilty of a bit of visual and narrative flab.

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Best PC Game of 2015
66
#66 Most Discussed PC Game of 2015
85
#85 Most Shared PC Game of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 259 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 185 out of 259
  2. Mixed: 44 out of 259
  3. Negative: 30 out of 259
  1. blackdaze
    Aug 24, 2015
    10
    The third iteration of the Shadowrun series of group-based cRPGs. These games are fairly light on gameplay and more narrative focused thanThe third iteration of the Shadowrun series of group-based cRPGs. These games are fairly light on gameplay and more narrative focused than most cRPGs. By that I mean there is an extensive amount of well-written dialogue (however, a few spelling issues/typos) and combat doesn't happen too frequently. However, the amount of combat somewhat depends on player choice of skills, how they approach a situation, and which team members they bring to the missions. There are cases where you can go through missions with minimal or no combat which is a big change from the previous games.

    You team selection is fairly well-rounded and good for both combat and non-combat situations. Bringing different team members usually provides you with different ways of approaching a problem. I found on my second playthrough that the missions played a bit differently based on my skills, who I brought and choices I made. I think that it adds to the replay value so it's worth playing through a second time just to see what you've missed. The missions are really well designed and have multiple ways to traverse them or find extras within the levels.

    As far as the story/writing, well the entire game is just absolutely loaded with dialogue, text-descriptions, menu based choices, and interaction with companions and various NPCs. If you're looking for more of an action-based game, this isn't it. If you spend your time reading through all of the dialogue and doing all of the missions available, it'll likely take you around 20 hours to beat. If you just try to beat the game as quick as possible and ignore the dialogue, it'll likely take you under 10 hours. One of the key selling points of the game is reading through the texts and finding more about the world, it's characters, and the story. One nagging downside is the story tends to halt for a bit if you're looking to do every mission. You'll have talked to everyone, have the final missions unlocked, and still have three or four optional missions left.

    The combat plays out well and a lot quicker paced than the previous two games with smaller bite sized battles and partially due to the fact that the AI responds faster and animations are quicker. In addition, you're able to enter battle mode if you see an encounter so you're tactically in a better place before the battle starts and you'll leave battle mode after encounters. This is a change from the previous games where it would just have entire maps full of battles.

    There is more of everything as far as combat options; Adepts/mages/shamans all have a few new spells and totems, there are more melee/cyberware/gun/drug/health options than before, etc. Dragonlines are one of the bigger new additions to magic. They allow mages to have their spells bounce off of nearby targets(or allies if they're in the area), allow damaging spells to heal you or simple reduce cooldown/increase effectively like the old leylines. The particular effect isnt posted so its try and see. Armor has been radically simplified in that it no longer provides bonuses but straight armor class and there are unique options from the vendors around town (mage/shaman, adept, street sam, and decker). It's purely cosmetic but helps your character look the part.

    The matrix has been completely overhauled from the previous games. Almost all of the matrix nodes will just have White IC (intrusion countermeasures) scour areas with set paths and vision cones. As long as you avoid them, you avoid matrix combat. However, if you blunder into them or just don't care to work around timing puzzles, you can just enter into combat with them and it's a bit more challenging but certainly doable. There is a mini-game associated with hacking firewalls to get access to datastores or matrix controls and it's fairly easy to accomplish. Those can also be destroyed brute force via combat if you're in an alert state.

    The aesthetics of the game have been improved from the previous two games. The colorful art style and backgrounds are still there but now there is more variety in PC/NPCs and most of the character models/animations have been redone. No more massive body trolls with stick legs. The spells have nice new effects, there is more blood and gore, and all of the weapons/spells/punches/abilities feel more impactful. The music is very atmospheric but non-descript. I found that I don't seem to remember any particular track from the game but found that it just subtly added to the mood/atmosphere.

    All in all, I loved the game and have played through it twice and assume I will play it again! I think it's a good sign when the game ends that you roll up a new character and start another game. The drawbacks I have for the game are mostly subjective, there are a few minor bugs/typos which will hopefully get fixed soon. However, people may not enjoy the new non-combat themed matrix, lack of combat in the missions, the story, etc etc. However, I give it a 10 because I certainly did! It's a winner in my book    … Full Review »
  2. NickDaWOlf
    Aug 22, 2015
    9
    They've built on everything accomplished in Dragonfall and they polished and balanced what needed improving. The game once again combines anThey've built on everything accomplished in Dragonfall and they polished and balanced what needed improving. The game once again combines an engrossing cyberpunk universe and a pristine plot with effective turn based rpg combat. Like a good book, it catches your attention right from the start with intriguing party members and surprising paths and choices that warrants it a second play through. NPC's are interesting and fleshed out, the game notably offers you many different dialogue choices who actually matter in how the situations play out. Its very flexible characters builds offer the opportunity to be anything from a Junkie sword wielding maniac, a Mr.Robot hacker who terrorizes his enemies with the environment to a half-man half machine modified sniper cyborg. To finish off I'd say this game has good value for less than 30$ you get an experience far superior to the majority of triple AAA titles. Shadowrun is a successful indie crowdfunding project. that still only has a fraction of the budget bigger gaming studios possess. They put something money can't buy into their games, which is the best of themselves and the result is amazing. Collapse… Full Review »
  3. Tatar
    Aug 27, 2015
    7
    Hmmm I love and hate this Shadowrun. Game is good i I have a lot of fun on the street of Hong Kong, but .... Dragonfall was a lot betterHmmm I love and hate this Shadowrun. Game is good i I have a lot of fun on the street of Hong Kong, but .... Dragonfall was a lot better game, Dragonfall was a 100 step forward compare to SR: Returns, Hong Kong it's in technical aspect of game it's better then Dragonfall but scenario is not so good. Plot in Dragonfall was full of surprises, turning points, treachery and not so obvious decisions, plot in S: HK is like S:R - there is great evil and we must save a city ... Characters in S: HK are good but for example Gloria from Dragonfall in masterpiece compare to them. Technical is very good i always play Decker and love the idea of matrix in newest game. S:HK is easiest from all Shadowruns playing on normal i didint lost single fight, and last boss was piece a cake - difficult level is like easy in Dragonfall, and its shorter then Dragonfall - 9 hours to accomplish and i did every secondary missions. So for me it's good game but better wait it's no worth 20 Euro. Have a good day :)… Full Review »
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