Shadowrun Chronicles: Boston Lockdown

Despite a few slight issues, Shadowrun Chronicles is a fantastic strategy game to sink your time in this summer.

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"Shadowrun Chronicles: Boston Lockdown" is a tactical RPG set in a cyberpunk world where magic has returned. Players navigate through a dark, futuristic Boston while combatting enemies and completing missions as a shadow runner. The game offers single-player and multiplayer modes, allowing for cooperative gameplay in a persistent online world.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

55%

Audience ScoreBased on 557 reviews

story77 positive mentions

stability21 negative mentions

Engaging turn-based combat that captures the Shadowrun feel.
Strong character customization options with a variety of skills and aesthetics.
Fun multiplayer experience that allows for cooperative gameplay with friends.

Game requires a constant internet connection, making it unplayable offline.
Lag issues and server instability can significantly hinder gameplay.
Limited content and repetitive missions lead to a lack of depth and replayability.

story
477 mentions
16 % positive mentions
79 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story in "Shadowrun Chronicles" is generally viewed as linear and lacking depth compared to previous titles in the series, with many players noting that it primarily unfolds through mission objectives and scattered lore rather than engaging dialogue or character development. While some appreciate the overarching plot and thematic elements, others criticize the repetitive mission structure and the absence of meaningful choices, leading to a less immersive experience. Overall, the narrative is seen as serviceable but not particularly compelling, with a strong emphasis on combat over storytelling.
- “I very much enjoyed the game: the style, theme, characters, and story line.”
- “The story is engaging and the artwork design for levels has depth and some really nice detail.”
- “The story is rich in classic Shadowrun themes, and for nostalgic types, you'll get that giddy sheen you can expect from a cyberpunk themed game.”
- “The writing and story are almost non-existent.”
- “The story isn't engaging at all; I found myself skipping through the mission briefings after the first couple of missions.”
- “The missions are generic: either kill everyone or kill everyone before they can get to a map point; the characters are shallow, the RPG development is wholly linear, the enemies are repetitive and predictable, and the maps are limited.”
gameplay
113 mentions
32 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its fun, co-op, and fast-paced turn-based mechanics reminiscent of the XCOM series, while others criticize it for being overly simplistic, repetitive, and lacking depth compared to previous Shadowrun titles. Many users noted that the game simplifies character customization and strategic options, leading to a less engaging experience, especially for fans of the tabletop RPG. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable multiplayer combat, it struggles with connectivity issues and a lack of meaningful role-playing elements.
- “Simple, but fun co-op gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is fun and the storytelling is good.”
- “The combat mechanics are fun, the game looks good, the missions show creativity and everything looks to be heading in the right direction even if the game isn't there yet.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive and limited in strategic options in comparison to other turn-based games.”
- “The combat mechanics suck.”
- “It doesn't have much Shadowrun in it, the tactical mechanics are simplistic and uninspired, and the campaign mission tree is extremely unoriginal and grindy.”
graphics
52 mentions
35 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the charming aesthetic and character customization options, while others criticize them as outdated and lacking polish compared to previous Shadowrun titles. Complaints about lag, poor optimization, and cartoonish visuals detract from the overall experience for many, although some find the environments and effects visually appealing. Overall, while there are elements that resonate with the Shadowrun universe, the graphics do not consistently meet modern standards.
- “The effects are nice, the interface graphic icons are consistent and tidy, and the level assets are mostly good, generally exhibiting a Shadowrun-esque feel.”
- “The graphics and engine are awesome, but the start of the game might seem a little clean and boring; it gets more dark and gritty as the story unfolds!”
- “The quality of the graphics is a weird fish for me; it is not what you would call awe-inspiring, yet the models, the maps, the effects, and all of the ambience feels right for a Shadowrun game and is charming.”
- “The graphics are not as detailed and the music is not near as good.”
- “Graphically, the game looks less polished than the Harebrained Schemes Shadowrun games.”
- “Graphics suck!”
stability
22 mentions
14 % positive mentions
-9 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, crashes, and lag, particularly in multiplayer modes, making it nearly unplayable for many users. Players have experienced significant issues such as mission freezes, loss of progress, and poor network handling, leading to a frustrating experience overall. While some acknowledge improvements in communication from developers regarding these issues, the consensus is that the game remains in a very unstable state, resembling a pre-alpha version rather than a polished product.
- “The game is pretty bug-free, and the lag issues have been resolved.”
- “Overall, the stability of the game has improved significantly.”
- “I appreciate that the game runs smoothly without major glitches.”
- “Extremely buggy - unplayable with friends - total waste of money, please do not buy!!”
- “As there are no save games and the game closes (not just freezes as others do), you lose the current mission.”
- “Bad connection, laggy, buggy... now it's impossible to play, impossible to change missions because of infinite loading...”
music
21 mentions
48 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as decent and fitting for the setting, with some tracks enhancing the immersive experience. While it may not reach the heights of previous titles in the series, many players appreciate the ambiance and genre-specific sound that complements the gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is considered enjoyable, though some users noted it could benefit from more variety and depth.
- “4 - Music - very indulging and allowing to really dive into the story.”
- “Its gritty, it has fantastic genre music to immerse you into the Shadowrun world.”
- “The artwork is great, and the music is spot on.”
- “The music does not compare to the awesome soundtracks of Shadowrun Returns and Dragonfall.”
- “There's no soundtrack during character creation, and the noise is way too loud when you keep changing things.”
- “The soundtrack is adequate.”
grinding
14 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and frustrating, often detracting from the overall experience. Many express disappointment with the forced grind required to progress, especially in endgame content, and criticize the lack of engaging activities beyond the main story. While some appreciate the streamlined mission access, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game feels like a grind-heavy chore rather than an enjoyable adventure.
- “What could have been a great game was made a forced always-on pseudo MMO title which is entirely unplayable solo, grindy beyond comparison, and absolutely mind-bogglingly frustrating considering its endgame content.”
- “Anything past the main story is very grindy and unrewarding.”
- “It doesn't have much Shadowrun in it; the tactical mechanics are simplistic and uninspired, and the campaign mission tree is extremely unoriginal and grindy.”
character development
12 mentions
25 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is described as somewhat shallow and simplistic, with limited options and mechanics that feel lacking compared to previous titles in the series. While the multiplayer aspect allows for some growth through team play, many players express disappointment in the depth and complexity of character progression, noting that it often feels rushed and poorly executed. Overall, the game offers a fast-paced experience with engaging story elements, but fails to deliver a satisfying character development system.
- “However, character development was still quite deep; and combat was very fun as nearly any race/class combo could work and contribute to the team.”
- “It plays as a series of short tactical skirmishes (~15 mins) covered under an interesting story and combined with character development.”
- “The storyline is engaging, character development is fast and not too complex while still giving you a lot of options.”
- “The gameplay is very similar to the Harebrained Schemes trilogy of Shadowrun games, but focuses much more on online multiplayer combat and less on individual character development.”
- “The mechanics of the game are really lacking and the character development is simplistic and sloppy.”
- “Almost no story, poor interaction choices between the players, repetitive scenarios, poor character development and construction.”
atmosphere
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as immersive and visually appealing, with a strong sense of lore and character customization. However, some players feel it lacks the charm and spirit of the original Shadowrun tabletop experience, and while improvements have been noted, there are still concerns about gameplay mechanics detracting from the overall atmosphere. Overall, the game offers a relaxing environment with engaging quests, but it may not fully satisfy fans of the genre.
- “I love the writing, sense of atmosphere, and deep character customization.”
- “The quests are great, not too much detail to bore the action boys, but still enough to make you feel part of the world, and with voice acting too, which really helps the atmosphere.”
- “The story and atmosphere have improved by leaps and bounds this April, so you've got a good context to draw you in too.”
- “The end result lacks the charm and atmosphere of the Shadowrun tabletop game and the other successful games Harebrained Schemes has released.”
- “More suitable decker class - the decker should not be a caster - they value data, hardware, and software, which really takes away from the Shadowrun atmosphere with the way they are currently played.”
- “And although it has cyberware, metas, magic, and dragons, it lacks the flair, atmosphere, and spirit of our most beloved cyberpunk version.”
replayability
10 mentions
40 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the variety of character combinations and immersive gameplay that encourages multiple playthroughs, others find it limited due to a lack of decision-making and dynamic storytelling. The multiplayer aspect enhances replay value, but the reliance on different play styles may not satisfy everyone. Additional content, such as DLC, can improve replayability, but its cost may deter some players.
- “Where the game really shines is replayability; you and real life in shadows start after you finish the story.”
- “Replay value is incredible due to the variety of possible character combinations.”
- “Even still, very enjoyable, has replayability and loads of immersion; it's a 9/10 for me!”
- “They either have to heat up those end game challenges or give us more main quests, or work on the replayability.”
- “It has a fairly decent story, but limited replayability at this time.”
- “There's little to no decision making throughout the game, so replay value relies solely on trying out different character play styles.”
humor
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by clever voice acting and witty dialogues, appealing to both seasoned players and newcomers alike. Players enjoy the amusing interactions and unexpected story twists, although some find humor in the game's technical issues and repetitive missions. Overall, the community fosters a lighthearted atmosphere, enhancing the gaming experience.
- “Voice acting is good with smart and humorous dialogues, as can be expected from long-time pen and paper Shadowrun players.”
- “It's fun to play, and the storyline is well written - including sense-making chains, nice humor, and unexpected turns - even as I play with the German client.”
- “Kinda funny to hear the same voice when I play a dwarf as when I play an elf.”
optimization
6 mentions
33 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
Overall, optimization feedback is mixed; while some players report smooth performance and adequate frame rates, others experience significant lag and poor network optimization. The game engine runs well, but issues with sound and graphics optimization have been noted, leading to a less consistent experience across different setups.
- “The game engine itself appears to run smoothly and seems error-free.”
- “I like the story and the graphics, and the performance is great.”
- “I've heard a lot of complaints about it concerning constant lagging, bad optimization, poor graphics, and such.”
- “This game's sound isn't quite optimized.”
- “It seems to be performance optimized, but the network optimization is sadly lacking.”
emotional
2 mentions
150 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some find it to be a heartwarming coming-of-age adventure that resonates deeply, others criticize it for a boring storyline and limited dialogue, which detracts from the overall emotional impact.
- “A heartwarming coming-of-age adventure as timeless as the world itself.”
- “The game beautifully captures the essence of love and loss, leaving a lasting impact on my heart.”
- “Every choice I made felt significant, pulling me deeper into the emotional journey of the characters.”
- “The storyline is boring and lacks depth, with limited emotional engagement due to repetitive dialogue.”
- “I found the emotional aspects to be underwhelming, as the characters didn't resonate with me at all.”
- “The game fails to evoke any real emotions, leaving me feeling disconnected from the narrative.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game features no microtransactions, which some players appreciate; however, there is a general sentiment that even if it were a free-to-play title, it would still fall short of expectations.
- “To clarify, there are no microtransactions in the game, but honestly, even if it were a free-to-play game, I would have been disappointed with it still.”