History VideoGame / Shadowrun

The 1993 ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadowrun_%281993_video_game%29 Shadowrun]]'' for the UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem, was developed by Beam Software and released by Creator/DataEast. It is loosely based on the tie-in novel ''Never Deal with a Dragon'': Jake Armitage, a Seattle-based Runner, awakens one night [[WakingUpAtTheMorgue in the city morgue]] with no memory of anything -- save his name, conveniently written on the slab. Following an encounter with [[VisionQuest his animal spirit guide]] ([[HeroesLoveDogs a mutt]], if you're wondering), Jake embarks on a quest to [[QuestForIdentity reclaim his identity]] and, more urgently, escape the long reach of his old employer. The game, obviously raunchy for the [=mid-90s=], suffered from a TroubledProduction and was a financial failure, but quickly became a CultClassic.

A year later in 1994, another game was released under the ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadowrun_%281994_video_game%29 Shadowrun]]'' name for the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis; this version was developed by Blue Sky Software. This game had a much more WideOpenSandbox type gameplay with more granular character customization and a less-linear story: A new hero, Joshua, is investigating the death of his brother during a botched run. To gather evidence, Joshua will have to get acquainted with Running and the various players in Seattle's underworld. Notably, this game inspired Greg Zeschuk and Ray Muzyka to leave the field of medicine to co-found Creator/BioWare; this version is also noteworthy for being extremely faithful to the tabletop game's mechanics.

In 2007, ''[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadowrun_%282007_video_game%29 Shadowrun]]'' was again made as an online only (or single player with AI players) first-person shooter VideoGame, developed by FASA Interactive for the UsefulNotes/Xbox360 and Windows (intended to work only with the then-new Vista operating system, though later easily cracked to work on Windows XP). The game features a buying system which is greatly inspired by the game ''VideoGame/CounterStrike''. It is not set in the official ''Shadowrun'' timeline, but an alternate continuity invented by FASA Interactive. The PC version was the first game to use Microsoft's ''Games for Windows - Live'' UsefulNotes/DigitalRightsManagement system, and it was also the second game on the 360 to allow cross-play between it and PC (after the 360's 2006 port of ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXI'') as part of a heavily-advertised but very short-lived attempt to make cross-play between 360 and PC games standard.

* {{Cyberspace}}: The game represents the matrix by a third-person over-the-shoulder view of their avatar. You move across a digital landscape, confronting various nodes. By executing various attack, defense, and support programs, you breach the [=ICE=] and get access to the nodes they guard. This includes just as many RPGElements as the rest of the game, with the Decker's cyberdeck and its installed programs, along with the Decker's own skills, being a factor. Notably, at least one game review magazine noted how the matrix dives in this game include [[SugarWiki/VisualEffectsOfAwesome some of the best graphics]] that the UsefulNotes/SegaGenesis can put out. The reviewer noted that this was in contrast with the rest of the game which, while not bad, was rather bland by the standards of its contemporaries.

!!Tropes specific to the UsefulNotes/Xbox360 / Windows ''Shadowrun'' game:

* MagicKnight: All the {{Player Character}}s. However, they have to choose what magic they want to use, and different races will have different relationships with magic.

* AdamSmithHatesYourGuts: Played with. The inns are more expensive past the Redmond Barrons, but the prices vary and are based on how ritzy the places are. Likewise, basic supplies (clips, medkits, etc.) tend to vary in price, again based on how easy it would be for the shops to gouge you.

* {{Bowdlerise}}: Those familiar with the Shadowrun setting would notice a few setting staples toned down or left to be read between the lines. Frag grenade dealers replace chip and drug dealers. An event of a panicked "escaped mental patient" being chased by a shady doctor [[FridgeHorror strongly hints]] that he's faking it for OrganTheft, although it may also be exactly what it looks like. An [[EnforcedTrope almost certainly a necessity to get the game made and released mainstream]], back in the 90s.
* BrokenBridge: The cab service is (in)conveniently unavailable to take you out of the Warrens until you manage to pick up Michael's belongings from the local motel.

* DudeWheresMyRespect: Averted in a somewhat odd manner. You have a reputation value, but this is treated as a skill like any other. This means you can pump points into your reputation even though you've just been doing ratty package delivery jobs in the Warrens, and somehow people all over the city will know your name.

* ManaMeter: The blue horizontal meter on the bottom their ManaMeter if playing a magic-using character, otherwise it's your "mental health" which takes hits from punches/melee blows.

* {{Bowdlerise}}: Those familiar with the Shadowrun setting would notice a few setting staples toned down or left to be read between the lines. Frag grenade dealers replace chip and drug dealers. An event of a panicked "escaped mental patient" being chased by a shady doctor [[FridgeHorror strongly hints]] that he's faking it for OrganLegging, although it may also be exactly what it looks like. An [[EnforcedTrope almost certainly a necessity to get the game made and released mainstream]], back in the 90s.

* BlindfoldedTrip: Jake is blindfolded by Glutman's employees while they escort him to the caryards.

* LuringInPrey: One encounter at the docks consists of Jake finding his ex-girlfriend Sandy, telling him she's sorry she broke up with him and asking him to come closer. As Jake approaches, "Sandy" transforms into a giant octopus and attacks him.

* PrisonEpisode: When you find Glutman, he promises to get you to a safe location, assuring you that he owes you for something. When the blindfold comes off, you're in the Caryards, a junk-town populated by outcasts and debtors run by the King. You can't leave unless the King says you can, and that costs a lot of nuyen. Most people in the Caryards give up and stay there for the rest of their lives. [[PrisonBreak You don't have that kind of time.]]

* VideogameCrueltyPunishment: Shooting InvulnerableCivilians will dock you Karma. Shooting possible recruits before you've hired them will make them shoot back.

* MagicKnight: All the {{Player Character}}s. However, they have to choose what magic they want to use, and different races will have different relationships with magic.

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* JackBauerInterrogationTechnique: Vladimir the Vampire is the Keeper of the Jester Spirit's true name. Asking politely doesn't work. Jabbing a stake into his heart multiple times gets him chatty though.

* MediumAwareness: As Drake says during his boss fight: "This isn't the end, Armitage! We'll meet again in ''Shadowrun II!''"[[note]]Though the game was not successful enough to warrant a sequel, Jake Armitage would eventually make a return [[VideoGame/ShadowrunReturns in a new game]].[[/note]]

* CastFromHitPoints: If a magic-using character has an attack spell on an "offense" setting, there is a chance if that if the character has no "fetish" (which is a device that prevent the drain on a character) then the ManaMeter aka "mental health" of a character (the horizontal blue line on the bottom of the character's picture) might take a few hits. High willpower helps minimize the drain if it happens, but a stim patch and a medkit dose can help as well. One caution, though--if the drain adds up, the character is "knocked unconscious" as it could totally deplete the mental health bar. This is different from mana/spell points as in other games, totally depleted mana/spell points do NOT normally incapacitate a player.

* DungeonTown: Everywhere.

* {{Bowdlerise}}: Those familiar with the Shadowrun setting would notice a few setting staples toned down or left to be read between the lines. Frag grenade dealers replace chip and drug dealers. An event of a panicked "escaped mental patient" being chased by a shady doctor [[FridgeHorror strongly hints]] that he's faking it for OrganLegging, although it may also be exactly what it looks like. A [[EnforcedTrope almost certainly a necessity to get the game made and released mainstream]], back in the 90s.

* ResignationsNotAccepted: The Extraction runs offered by Mr Johnsons involve an employee of one of the corps who wishes for a career chnage, but their employer disagrees and has imprisoned them in their office.