Is that really what he said?
Let me quickly check...

*goes and checks various torrent sites and comes back*

Nope, no DRM-free version anywhere. Only the Steam version is floating around, already cracked by every possible crack team.


That's at least something. Maybe the original limitation caused some clamor?
(too tired from checking all the torrent sites to go and check Kickstarter and forums)

/silly replying mode off.

EDIT:
Ok then, got some reading to do.


@everybody - sorry for derailing the thread.

How is the game overall aside from linear progress?

I'm liking it so far, although I'm worried about the next combat I might get into since I was equipped with 2 drones, one for shooting and one for smoke cover (unequipped my weapon for that), and then bought some armor, but when i look at my stuff in the next zone I went to I only appear to have one drone equipped, and it's the one that smokes up an area .... so ... yeah, I guess we'll see how that goes when I get into combat xD

It's fairly addicting to be honest, though there's no real exploration or interaction with the world (expect the few characters)
The story is quite fun and creepy at times and the combat is fun. Pretty much like in the new X-COM game.
It wouldn't dare to say it's worth the money at the moment mainly because the infernal linearity of the gameplay might be too much but there's always the editor and steam workshop so let's hope the fans can bring something more into this game.
I'd recommend to get this when it's 50% off and read the reviews

It's good. Simple but fun X-Com style combat. Lovely writing. Sexy world and isometric look.

Save system and linearity are the big issues. Hopefully mods and new campaigns fix both.

Thanks for the info. Will keep an eye on it.

thanks for the feedback from the guys playing it. so the base game is linear?. any side quests?. variety in weapons etc?. i know its a story driven RPG and not combat heavy, how r the rpg elements?

4h in on Normal, it's not all that hard. You can't just run in guns blazing, all clumped up and hope for the best, because that will earn you a teamwipe grenade swarm, but as long as you don't play stupid, it's relatively easy.
That being said, the game does feel like it rewards proper tactics. Play smart and you can avoid most damage.
It is very linear.
Side quests: not a whole lot, but they are there.
Variety of weapons & things you can do in combat is good. While a pistol is a pistol, and the difference between two different pistol is limited to a few stats, the difference between a pistol and a lighting bolt used by a mage, or the timely interference from a decker is huge. All weapon categories have their own strengths, and on top of that you have mages who have access to spells with very varied effects, riggers who can control drones, shamans who can summon spirits (and have some spells of their own), and deckers who can apply effects to the enemies (a bit odd considering what a decker is, but it adds more things to do in combat, which is nice).
With RPG elements do you mean character progression or choices you can make along the way? If it is the former, the character progression system is good. You have access to plenty of different skills, which do impact how you play the game. As for choices, well, depending on your skills & what you say, the outcome in some encounters might be different, but I can't really tell how different.
The story feels like something out of Shadowrun, and while it can't compete with the best that the genre has to offer, it does give a good introduction to the setting. The game is combat heavy though, so if you dislike Jagged Alliance/XCOM style combat, you'll probably not like the game. If you on the other hand do like that type of combat, then you'll probably find a lot to like about this game.

So I've to endure a 9 hour workday, 1 hour public transportation, get home and have to download the game for the next 2-3 hours before I can play. /madfist.

Hey guys, check this out! This guy is streaming Shadowrun Returns with 2 people that work with the Shadowrun IP, John Helfers Editor of Anthology that comes with the digital delux version and Jason Hardy who is the Shadowrun RPG head on Skype. With 3 others (Bulldrek, can't remember his name atm), Russell Zimmerman, and Robyn King in chat!

Note all these people work on the other IP, not the video game itself (though I think it was stated Bulldrek worked on some quests).

You can also take this opportunity to check out the game itself.

They're fielding viewer questions which is pretty damn cool! www.twitch.tv/arvaneleron

i wish there was a option to make the text bigger, the fonts size is small, but liking the combat so far

You guys might wanna play on hard or very hard:

http://www.shacknews.com/article/80320/shadowrun-returns-review-classic-rpg-reborn?id=30547102#item_30547102

1. If you have previously read a conversation, or dont care to read the conversation "Tab,Enter" and "1,2,3" is a faster way to advance than clicking.
2. Scene Transitions are where you should decide to stop playing the game or not. Yes it is not ideal, http://www.shacknews.com/chatty?id=30546075#item_30546075
3. The game is pretty easy, your statistics are better than your enemy. I recommend playing on hard. "Very hard" is statistically balanced, despite being outnumbered. Hard is halfway between large advantage and no advantage.
4. To Hit % is pretty elaborate. Range is very important so think about what gun you have. SMG at long range is poor. Factors also include the cumulatively add all cover obstacles in the way, 3 desks are harder to shoot over than one. A desk adjacent to the shooter is ignored since conceptually your arm goes over it.
5. Heal spells only heal the "last wound" so getting hit with 3 bullets, 3HP damage each, is not worth using a heal spell to heal. Medkits heal a flat amount
6. Spirits make great bullet shields
7. Stun barriers can slow down everyone, especially melee guys

How's magic? I've been hearing it's underpowered, which sucks 'cause I always prefer playing mages.

For an old school rpg, you have to wonder why it isnt hard by default

I read that it's designed more for mobile devices, both Neogaf and Codex are saying that.