Shadowrun Overview
Shadowrun is a skill based role playing game with action oriented combat, set in a version of Seattle where advanced technology coexists with magical beings and forces. The player controls Jake Armitage, a data courier who awakens in a morgue with no memory after being assassinated and mysteriously revived. His journey to uncover his past and a larger conspiracy involves navigating a city populated by both street gangs and fantasy races like orcs and elves.
Progression is handled through a karma system, where points earned from defeating enemies can be manually allocated to improve core attributes or to master various skills. These skills range from firearms and negotiation to computer expertise, which is crucial for accessing the cyberspace known as the Matrix. In this digital realm, represented by an icon, Jake battles defensive programs to obtain money or advance the plot.
Information gathering through topic based dialogue with non player characters is a central activity, driving most quests as Jake explores different locations. For combat support, temporary party members called deckers can be hired and given basic commands or left to AI control. While Jake primarily uses firearms, he can also learn defensive and support oriented magic spells. The game is an adaptation of the pen and paper role playing game, drawing specifically from the novel Never Deal with a Dragon, and its design is entirely separate from the Genesis title sharing the same license.
