Actual Genre of Shadow Run Returns

[TheRPGunit]

Very sweet game... but it isn't the tactical rpg a lot of people are expecting it to be... I would say, with conviction, that this game is more of an isometric adventure game with RPG elements and a turn based combat system. Fallout/Arcanum/ToEE/NWN/Etc.. it is not.The pace is slower than I had anticipated..though I was prepared for the linearity. Well written and well executed..but as I said.. this is an adventure game, albeit a decent one. Just wanted to weigh in.

[BareNakedSlayer]

That is the strangest thing I have ever heard. One thing I know this game is really a lot like is Fallout 1 and 2. It has choices on how you approach a given situation, but there is no such thing as an adventure game with a combat mechanic. Combat is the antithesis of adventure games. I guess I kind of find this post annoying because it's misrepresenting the game. It's a Tactical RPG. It is a story driven, dialog heavy one, but it is in fact a Tactical RPG.

[Noodlesocks]

I'm not big on sub-genres and vague hybridising. If a game is more like one thing than another than I prefer to simply call it that and Shadowrun Returns has more staple features from the RPG genre than the adventure genre so as far as I'm concerned, I'm calling it a RPG.

[(>_<)]

This game follows the pen and paper version. If you have played that then you might see the similarities.

[TheRPGunit]

Originally posted by SuNin:

That is the strangest thing I have ever heard. One thing I know this game is really a lot like is Fallout 1 and 2. It has choices on how you approach a given situation, but there is no such thing as an adventure game with a combat mechanic. Combat is the antithesis of adventure games. I guess I kind of find this post annoying because it's misrepresenting the game. It's a Tactical RPG. It is a story driven, dialog heavy one, but it is in fact a Tactical RPG.

..what? I played Fallout 1 and 2 when they came out. they were MUCH more combat oriented than SR. I suppose you could say SR is a simple tactical RPG. You are implying that the moment you add combat into an adventure game, it stops being an adventure game. That's like saying if I have an RPG..but I add in some fighting game mechanics, it is suddenly a fighting game. come on man.

I don't really think this is misrepresenting the game. If you load this up expecting a Fallout 1/2 or other isometric TRPG experience, you will be a little confused. maybe even underwhelmed. just wanted to let people know before they started trying to compare it to something it isn't.

[Rupan]

The thing is, you can't go wherever you want, the progression is very linear - at least at the beginning, I don't know if it changes. That's why some people find hard to call it RPG.

[TheRPGunit]

Originally posted by OhHerro!!!:

This game follows the pen and paper version. If you have played that then you might see the similarities.

what does that have to do with the way the game plays? and how does that invalidate anything I said?

[(>_<)]

Originally posted by marilefabled:

Originally posted by OhHerro!!!:

This game follows the pen and paper version. If you have played that then you might see the similarities.

what does that have to do with the way the game plays? and how does that invalidate anything I said?

It doesnt i wasnt trolling you, I was just saying for others who seem disappointed that it follows the pen and paper games.

[TheRPGunit]

I guess if we're calling anything with RPG elements (story telling, character customization, inventory, extensive dialogue) then we can add a ton of other games to that list. For instance, I used to think Borderlands was an FPS with RPG elements. Now I know that it is an RPG. Same with any game that has those qualifications I mentioned above.

[YggdrasilsSword]

I agree, Shadowrun Returns is not a Redundant Penny Grind, like Diablo III and other so-called RPGs. It is, however, very much a Role-Playing Game. It really succeeds in evoking the feeling of a tabletop experience.

[TheRPGunit]

Originally posted by YggdrasilsSword:

I agree, Shadowrun Returns is not a Redundant Penny Grind, like Diablo III and other so-called RPGs. It is, however, very much a Role-Playing Game. It really succeeds in evoking the feeling of a tabletop experience.

..how exactly? you click, and your avatar moves around. you click on speech bubbles to engage in dialogue with NPCs.. you buy/sell items and equip them. you fight opponents.. earn experience points and progress through the story. I didn't realize those things were 'table top' exclusive.

Cool game. Can't wait to crack open the editor.. just saying, it plays more like an adventure game with rpg elements. like the ones I just mentioned. where does the 'table top' feel come in?
someone please explain this to me. ..unless you mean the fact that it is linear. not a problem for me..but if that's all you're referring to.. just say that.

[TnJ]

Linear and rpg are not mutually exclusive. By starting the mission that came with release you are agreeing to play that story. It was never supposed to be a sand box game. Give it a bit and see if the dev tools are easy to use. We might be inundated with well made community missions :D

[It's not a Boomah]

Originally posted by marilefabled:

Originally posted by SuNin:

That is the strangest thing I have ever heard. One thing I know this game is really a lot like is Fallout 1 and 2. It has choices on how you approach a given situation, but there is no such thing as an adventure game with a combat mechanic. Combat is the antithesis of adventure games. I guess I kind of find this post annoying because it's misrepresenting the game. It's a Tactical RPG. It is a story driven, dialog heavy one, but it is in fact a Tactical RPG.

..what? I played Fallout 1 and 2 when they came out. they were MUCH more combat oriented than SR. I suppose you could say SR is a simple tactical RPG. You are implying that the moment you add combat into an adventure game, it stops being an adventure game. That's like saying if I have an RPG..but I add in some fighting game mechanics, it is suddenly a fighting game. come on man.

I don't really think this is misrepresenting the game. If you load this up expecting a Fallout 1/2 or other isometric TRPG experience, you will be a little confused. maybe even underwhelmed. just wanted to let people know before they started trying to compare it to something it isn't.

You mean FO1/2 were combat heavy because YOU chose to go combat heavy. So far, yes, SRR does seem to lack the "Imma shoot everything!" option that FO1/2 gave you the option of going with, but those games were by NO means all about the combat or even combat heavy if you didn't want to go that route. And personally, I didn't go that route for FO1/2.

[BiskutMentega]

Spot on. Although it is not a negative point, the game really not something like I expected it to be.

[TheRPGunit]

Originally posted by TnJ:

Linear and rpg are not mutually exclusive. By starting the mission that came with release you are agreeing to play that story. It was never supposed to be a sand box game. Give it a bit and see if the dev tools are easy to use. We might be inundated with well made community missions :D

At no point did I say being linear and rpg were mutually exclusive. I didn't even insinuate it would be preferable in a game like this, due to the pacing and the focus on narrative for progression.

[TheRPGunit]

Originally posted by It's not a Boomah:

Originally posted by marilefabled:

..what? I played Fallout 1 and 2 when they came out. they were MUCH more combat oriented than SR. I suppose you could say SR is a simple tactical RPG. You are implying that the moment you add combat into an adventure game, it stops being an adventure game. That's like saying if I have an RPG..but I add in some fighting game mechanics, it is suddenly a fighting game. come on man.

I don't really think this is misrepresenting the game. If you load this up expecting a Fallout 1/2 or other isometric TRPG experience, you will be a little confused. maybe even underwhelmed. just wanted to let people know before they started trying to compare it to something it isn't.

You mean FO1/2 were combat heavy because YOU chose to go combat heavy. So far, yes, SRR does seem to lack the "Imma shoot everything!" option that FO1/2 gave you the option of going with, but those games were by NO means all about the combat or even combat heavy if you didn't want to go that route. And personally, I didn't go that route for FO1/2.

Combat Oriented. Not combat heavy. Combat Oriented. Did you forget about all the random encounters while travelling? the depth and breadth of options provided for combat? As you said, it gave you the option to go with that.. but you could choose a different route.. sometimes. Are you denying the combat was an integral part of the game and its balance? Honestly, I'm not really sure what your point is.