Shadowrun Trilogy

It has often surprised me how many gamers have overlooked the Shadowrun Trilogy as part of their gaming essentials. This cRPG is arguably one of the best franchises in the genre, bringing the thrills of turn-based combat and an immersive storyline. Let's not forget the visuals that would give other leading titles a run for their money. Maybe that's why this series is being promoted again as a three-game must-play?

So here we are, finding ourselves with the glitz and glamour of the Shadowrun Trilogy put before us. Anybody who hasn't played the game would certainly be intrigued by the numerous Game of the Year accolades decorating the package. Those who have enjoyed playing may wonder why they should purchase the collection when they already own the games. Let's debunk both.

A Shadowy Return to Madness

So if you haven't played any of the Shadowrun Trilogy, here's the low down. The game is a fantasy-inspired isometric RPG set shortly, where magic runs rampant, and so do the dystopian cyberpunk themes. Each game takes on the vise of a classically themed RPG where meticulous team management, strategized combat, and practical skill progression is the core mechanics.

We could go into each of the three games in intricate detail, but it would take away from the fact that you should play them all. Inside this collection are the original Shadowrun Returns, the Shadowrun: Dragonfall sequel, and the obscure Shadowrun: Hong Kong, each fantastic in their own right. If you've never played any of them, it's easy to say that you won't go wrong investing in this package.

But what if you already own the games? Is there anything different or intriguing on offer? Truthfully speaking, not really. Nothing has been done to the games - they are packaged together in one collection with a couple of bonus things. The deluxe upgrades of the three games include art books and soundtracks. I mean, do we need that?

Fans of the franchise might be a little disappointed to find that there hasn't been anything done with the Shadowrun Trilogy. However, new fans can benefit from the deluxe versions of these three games, all packaged together for one low price.

The Magic of Guns

We'll purely give our opinion based on the viability of the collection and not the individual games - because they are all fantastic and worthy of critical acclaim. The group itself seemed to be marketed as a rebirth of the Shadowrun Trilogy, only to find that it's just a bundle packaged towards new series players. It's like that announcement where we thought there was a new GTA game only to see Grand Theft Auto V was being re-released on PS5.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• All three Shadowrun games available for a low price
• Deluxe editions included
• Tailored towards players who haven't indulged in the games before

Cons:

• Only a bundle - nothing new for old players
• Deluxe editions don't add much to the mix
• It could be reworked a bit to pop on modern consoles