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Shadowrun (Xbox 360, Windows)

common sense media says

Cyberpunk 1st-person multiplayer shooter, just OK.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know this game can be quite graphic. Not only can you shoot enemies -- humans, elves, dwarves, and the like -- with all kinds of weaponry, but you're encouraged to blast them into bits even after they've died and fallen since they could be revived by teammates. It's a multiplayer online game with support for chatting, so anything goes in terms of trash-talking; Common Sense Media doesn't recommend online play for anyone under age 12.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Extremely graphic and bloody shooter uses all sorts of weaponry. Players are encouraged to blast dead bodies into smithereens.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Fine in the actual game, but this multiplayer online game supports chatting -- aka trash-talking.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Shadowrun

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the violence and gore in this game. Sure, this is fiction based on a cyberpunk role-playing game, but there are humans just as there are fantasy race types. Does blasting an already dead enemy into bloody chunks cross the line into excessive violence or is all fair in the context of the game universe? Do you miss the single-player story mode?

What's the story?

What's the story?
SHADOWRUN, which is based on a pen-and-paper role-playing game (RPG) of the same name, fuses weapons, ancient magic, and special abilities. Think of it as a kind of team-based Counter-Strike game, but with the ability to sprout wings to glide off steep ledges, teleport to other spots on the map, summon creatures to do your bidding, see through walls, and knock enemies down with a strong gust of wind. Told via entertaining cut-scene sequences, the cyberpunk story takes place in Brazil about 25 years from now, when magic has returned to Earth after a 5,000-year absence. You play as an employee of a huge global corporation, RNA, out to battle for control over this recently unearthed ancient power.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

After a mandatory six-part tutorial, you can only play Shadowrun online against other players or in a simulated multiplayer match against computer-controlled "bots." You can buy the game for the Microsoft Xbox 360 or Microsoft Windows Vista PCs and play across the two platforms in online matches with up to 16 friends. PC gamers can play online for free using the Windows Vista version with a free Xbox Live Silver account, but Xbox 360 owners and PC users who want to join them must shell out $50 a year for Xbox Live Gold accounts.

Gameplay can be fun and frenetic, but the savvy developers at FASA Studio could've done so much more with this rich world by weaving in a great single-player story, memorable characters, and RPG-like "leveling up" -- without losing the first-person action sequences.

In the end, however, the game is a good but not great multiplayer team-based shooter that doesn't leave a long=lasting impression.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Xbox 360, Windows
Available online
Genre: First Person Shooter
Developer: Microsoft
Released on: May 30, 2007
Price: 59.99
ESRB Rating: M for blood, intense violence
This review was written by Marc Saltzman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

idenena34
teen, 16 years old
 
i dont think its good for kids under 10 or under its about sex killing
its not good for younger kids
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chewybar
adult
 
im rich
i live in newyork
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blancgab
teen, 18 years old
 
Buy Rainbow 6 instead
Lack of single player campaign makes this game rather dull. Violence was not an issue, yet graphics where last generation at best. Story plot was weak ("magical terrorists"). Game concept was good, yet online play is bad.
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G-Man
teen, 17 years old
 
Get Orange Box-Better
I am a fan of Xbox live and have an account-GMan22JR.It has a great price of 15.00(in US) but I would consider The Orange box for 60.00,it has 5 games(all good). It has a great game on it called Team Fortress, a multiplayer too, not confusing and more people play it.Shadowrun has medicore graphics and ok gameplay.TF2 does not.
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masterchief114
teen, 17 years old
 
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gdragon
kid, 11 years old
 
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RedDragonKnight
adult
 
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Twilight
adult
 
Pretty Fun
Violence really isn't that graphic, some blood that's about it. You can't really blast corpses to pieces, they just disappear. Overall pretty fun, lack of multiple maps is about the only issue i have with this game.
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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
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