Shadowrun Returns Reviews

I need (hint: BIG NEED!!) a new Shadowrun game pls god I am on my knees :'((((

Nice game.

cyberpunk before cyberpunk

a very good adaption of the table top RPG.

I purchased this expecting Baldur's Gate with guns. I was very wrong. It is turn based and linear; you go out on missions, then return to your home to level up, re-supply, pick up side missions, and progress the story. At first I was disappointed, but the story and atmosphere sucked me in. Their are 5 races (Human, Elf, Dwarf, Orc, and Troll) and 6 classes (Samurai, Mage, Decker, Rigger, Shaman, Physical Adept) but racial limits on attributes and skills are disappointingly limited. There's no point in making a troll as anything other than a Samurai or Physical Adept, for example, as their racial limits would prevent any other class' skills rising above 6 points (out of 15) The games also have fan-made campaigns available in the Steam community If you're looking specifically for cyberpunk games then it's a must have; if you want anything else it's hit and miss.

Playing through it three times in a span of 10 years, I'd say the game is worth a playthrough. Noir-cyberpunk story, with enough mystery to keep you interested and solid combat. Further installments are better, but this one worth the look still.

It can be a little dense jumping in without much knowledge of Shadowrun or tabletop systems of the era it's based on, but there's fun to be had here. It can feel a little slow paced but the writing is decent. If Cyberpunk high fantasy with Orcs, Elves, magic and Netrunning type content sounds up your alley: there's not really many other games that will have the same flavor. Once you understand the systems, mechanically it's fine. Nothing really remarkable. The setting is definitely what kept my attention as someone who's play basically every other cRPG along the lines of Neverwinter Nights, Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale, Planescape Torment... Etc.

Returns is a barebones experience compared to its successors Dragonfall and Hong Kong: linear, straightforward, very light on role-playing. That said, it's a decent Shadowrun story, and it's succinct enough to not overstay its welcome. I spent a few evening on it in 2025 and was entertained.