Washington-based indie studio Harebrained Schemes has released footage from its upcoming 2D turn-based RPG title Shadowrun Returns, the first look at gameplay since its initial Kickstarter campaign in April 2012, which raised more than $1.8 million dollars over its $400,000 goal. Hosted by Jordan Weisman, creator of the original Shadowrun table-top game, and producer Mitch Gitelman, the twenty minute video features extensive footage of the game’s alpha build, demonstrating what appears to be a very slick combat system, intuitive interface, and the whole plethora of different tactical and roleplaying elements that made the Shadowrun universe a popular setting for RPG fans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MiMjQwd2VE
The footage details a team-based mission beginning on street-level where, after a brief dialogue with a “ganger” erupts into a small firefight, we are treated to a basic demonstration of the turn-based combat system. The video then goes on to demonstrate many of the deeper aspects of gameplay as the team of runners forays into a secret laboratory located in the gangers’ old turf. Fans of the classic 1993 SNES Shadowrun from Beam Software will also be treated to the return of everyone’s favorite iconic Shadowrunner, Jake Armitage, a direct tie-in to the 16-bit favorite.
Shadowrun Returns is scheduled for an early Summer 2013 release, and is available for pre-order in several different packages direct from Harebrained Schemes.