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

58%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,127 reviews

story155 positive mentions

stability43 negative mentions

Engaging storyline that captures the Shadowrun universe well.
Fun co-op gameplay that allows for strategic team play with friends.
Character customization options provide a unique look and feel for each player.

Severe lag issues at launch made the game frustrating to play.
Limited depth in character development and skill trees compared to previous Shadowrun titles.
No offline mode, requiring a constant internet connection to play, which can lead to disconnections and loss of progress.

story
961 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 nature of missions and the absence of meaningful choices, leading to a less immersive experience. Overall, the narrative is seen as serviceable but not particularly compelling, with many players expressing a desire for more intricate storytelling and character interaction.
- “I very much enjoyed the game: the style, theme, characters, and story line.”
- “The story is great; the game itself is very solid, and the combat is good.”
- “The story takes a while to get going, but once it builds its momentum it does a good job establishing the basis of the most recent craziness to hit the sixth world.”
- “The game's story was limited when it could be played.”
- “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.”
gameplay
228 mentions
32 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Shadowrun Chronicles" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its similarity to XCOM mechanics but criticizing its lack of depth and strategic options compared to other turn-based games. While some appreciate the simplified multiplayer experience and quick-paced combat, others find the mechanics overly simplistic and lacking the rich character customization and role-playing elements typical of the Shadowrun series. Overall, the game offers fun co-op gameplay but suffers from connectivity issues and a lack of engaging content.
- “Simple, but fun co-op gameplay.”
- “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 game rewards a commando-like gameplay, which I liked.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive and limited in strategic options in comparison to other turn-based games.”
- “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.”
- “While the gameplay, when you are actually able to experience it, is quite enjoyable, it is marred by a lacking UI, character information, and frequent bouts of server lag and other connectivity and game engine flaws that make the bulk of the experience utterly frustrating.”
graphics
107 mentions
34 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they feel outdated and less polished compared to previous Shadowrun titles. While some appreciate the charming aesthetic and decent character customization options, others criticize the cartoonish style, poor optimization, and frequent lagging issues. Overall, the visuals are seen as a weak point, failing to meet the expectations set by earlier entries in the series.
- “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 feel right for a shadowrun game and are charming.”
- “The graphics are not as detailed and the music is not near as good.”
- “Graphics... outdated.”
- “I've heard a lot of complaints about it concerning constant lagging, bad optimization, poor graphics, and such.”
stability
45 mentions
7 % positive mentions
-2 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
The game is widely criticized for its severe stability issues, including frequent bugs, crashes, and lag, particularly in multiplayer modes. Players report losing progress due to the lack of save functionality and the inability to recover from disconnections. While some acknowledge improvements in developer communication regarding these issues, the overall consensus is that the game remains largely unplayable and frustratingly buggy.
- “The game is pretty bug-free, and the lag issues have been resolved.”
- “The stability of the game has improved significantly, making for a smoother experience.”
- “Overall, the game runs well with minimal bugs, enhancing the gameplay experience.”
- “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.”
- “Doesn't cope at all well with network issues -- a few seconds of disconnection and the mission freezes up, requiring a restart, with no way to reconnect to the mission or recover your progress.”
music
43 mentions
47 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally described as decent and fitting for the setting, with some tracks being particularly enjoyable and immersive. However, it does not reach the heights of previous titles in the series, leading to mixed feelings among players. Overall, while the soundtrack contributes positively to the atmosphere, it is seen as a weaker aspect compared to earlier games.
- “The music is nice, though some more sound assets for blown-up robotic enemies would be nice as well.”
- “Its gritty, it has fantastic genre music to immerse you into the Shadowrun world.”
- “The artwork is great, and the music is spot on.”
- “It does not compare to the awesome soundtracks of Shadowrun Returns and Dragonfall.”
- “There's no soundtrack on character creation, and the noise is way too loud when you keep changing things.”
- “Adequate soundtrack.”
grinding
28 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received largely negative feedback, with players finding it excessively tedious and frustrating, particularly in the endgame content. Many reviewers expressed disappointment over the lack of engaging activities beyond the main story, describing the experience as a forced, always-on MMO that feels unplayable solo. While some appreciated the fast mission entry system, the overall sentiment is that the grinding detracts significantly from the game's potential enjoyment.
- “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.”
- “So imagine grinding for 1 hour and getting 4 points.”
character development
24 mentions
17 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate its depth and the ability for various race/class combinations to contribute effectively in combat, others criticize it for being simplistic and lacking complexity. The focus on online multiplayer and tactical skirmishes detracts from individual character growth, leading to a perception of limited options and poor mechanics. Overall, the engaging storyline and post-campaign development opportunities offer some redeeming qualities, but many feel it falls short compared to previous titles in the genre.
- “However, character development was still quite deep; and combat was still very fun as nearly any race/class combo could work and contribute to the team.”
- “The storyline is engaging, character development is fast and not too complex while still giving you a lot of options.”
- “There is a campaign and free character development, so it's worth at least a few replays, even without endgame.”
- “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
22 mentions
32 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as immersive and engaging, with strong writing and lore that enhances the experience. However, some players feel it lacks the charm and flair of the original Shadowrun tabletop game, and while the visuals and cooperative gameplay contribute positively, there are concerns about character class balance affecting the overall atmosphere. Overall, the game offers a solid atmospheric experience, particularly for fans of science fiction and tactical gameplay.
- “I love the writing, sense of atmosphere, and deep character customization.”
- “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 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 end result lacks the charm and atmosphere of the Shadowrun tabletop game and the other successful games Harebrained Schemes has released.”
- “And although it has cyberware, metas, magic, and dragons, it lacks the flair, atmosphere, and spirit of our most beloved cyberpunk version.”
- “More suitable decker class - deckers should not be casters - they value data, hardware, and software, which really takes away from the Shadowrun atmosphere with the way they are currently played.”
replayability
20 mentions
40 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
Replayability is a mixed aspect of the game, with some players praising its incredible value due to diverse character combinations and immersive gameplay, while others note limited decision-making and a reliance on different play styles for replay. The multiplayer experience can enhance replay value, but the overall content may not satisfy those seeking a dynamic RPG experience. Additionally, DLCs like "missions" are seen as essential for extending replayability after completing the main campaign.
- “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!”
- “The DLC is a bit steep cost-wise, but 'Missions' was a 'must-have', as it offers a layer of replayability once the main campaign is completed.”
- “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.”
- “They either have to heat up those end game challenges, give us more main quests, or work on the replayability.”
humor
12 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by clever voice acting and witty dialogues, which resonate well with long-time fans of the Shadowrun series. Players find amusement in the quirks of gameplay, such as the amusing errors of new players and the repetitive nature of missions, contributing to a lighthearted community atmosphere. Despite some technical issues, the overall experience is described as fun and engaging, with unexpected story twists adding to the humor.
- “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 unsuspected turns - even as I play with the German client.”
- “This is a funny and nice community.”
optimization
12 mentions
33 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Overall, optimization for the game has received mixed reviews. While some players report smooth performance and adequate frame rates on lower-end systems, many others have experienced issues with lag, poor graphics, and inadequate network optimization. The game engine appears to function well, but sound optimization and network performance remain significant concerns for a portion of the player base.
- “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.”
- “It seems to be performance optimized, but the network optimization is sadly lacking.”
- “This game's sound isn't quite optimized.”
emotional
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-25 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a heartwarming coming-of-age narrative that resonates deeply, despite some critiques regarding a boring storyline and limited dialogue options. Overall, it aims to evoke strong feelings and connections, making it a memorable experience for players.
- “A heartwarming coming-of-age adventure as timeless as the world itself.”
- “The storyline is boring and lacks emotional depth, with limited speech resources to engage players.”
- “The emotional aspect of the game falls flat due to a boring storyline and minimal dialogue options.”
- “I found the emotional engagement lacking because the storyline is dull and the speech resources are very limited.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
50 % 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.”