Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Fasa Interactive
Genre: First Person Shooter
Release Date: January 1, 2007
Platform: Xbox 360, PC
Rating: RP (Rating Pending)
Official Website: Here
Gallery: Here

In the world of technology we have seen a first for nearly everything: the first hi-definition television, the first mp4 player, the first 7 hour notebook battery and so on. As we bring in the new year there will be another, the first cross-platform gaming called Shadowrun.

FASA Studio's will bring back the RPG favorite on both the Xbox 360 and the PC with up to a 16 multiplayer bout. The game combines the fire power of modern-day weapons with the art of ancient magic.

If you're a die hard follower from this SNES classic, you may be quick to wince at the new look and design of the game, afterall it was in part created by the same guy who started up Halo CE: Multiplayer. But if you're open minded, give it a shot.

Before getting to the details of the game, what I find most important about this particular title is the ability for console gamers to face PC gamers at the same time. A 4 vs.4 game can be set up something like this: 1 PC Gamer and 3 Console gamers vs. 2 PC gamers and 2 Console gamers; you can mix and match your team and opponents. For the first time, we can settle the much debated topic: "PC Gamers are better than Console Gamers" and vise-versa. Aside from the long-time arguments, finally players from both platforms can live and play in harmony.

The human race, gun wielding, prepares to take on some dwarfs.

I had the privilege to play this game at the 2006 E3 convention in Los Angeles and let me tell you, the Shadowrun booth was packed throughout the entire showing.

Shadowrun hopes to become a classic FPS game where you can look through walls with cybernetic eyes to find the bad guys, eventually cutting them down with a barrage of bullets. The teleporting feature can throw you directly behind your opponent when they seem to be out of reach. Much like the popular Counter-Strike game, you can purchase weapons and other goodies at the beginning of each round, and then simply battle your opponents.

Your team will be able to choose from four different magical races, so if you find yourself a character with some good traits to accommodate your team, you'll be a bit better off.

Lets talk weapons. As mentioned earlier, this game combines magic and firepower to defeat your enemies. A couple to mention is first the Kinetic Labs XM-20 Sniper Rifle. The 20mm rifle penetrates its targets from what seems like miles away. Although we may be used to wielding these sorts of weapons at close range, this game makes certain that you are not playing out of character. The sniper rifle is nearly impossible to use at close range, so if you plan on sniping, stay back.

Next is the simple Katana. Simple, yet deadly, the blades are no match for tender skin and bones; so watch out!

Now, the character types. In total there should be about five different races. Information has only been released on two: The humans and dwarfs. It is too early to distinguish which of the five will be more powerful than the others, but be patient, their characteristics should not disappoint.

The game has the ability to move you vertically through the levels. The idea was to take advantage of a whole new perspective of maps. It is not very often that your adventures will take you up and down huge levels of areas, rather than vastly spread out corners like we're used to. The tall maps will have you taking advantage of your artificial wings which are attached to your characters back. With a simple click of a keyboard or controller, your character unfolds a set of wings which will glide you down to the surface to escape danger. After that, make sure you warp a couple hundred feet into the air onto another level, so that you may drop down gracefully again.

From sampling this game, I can hardly wait to play it. The teams that helped develop Shadowrun are extremely motivated and confident in their new game which they have held so close to them for so long. The sample of PC vs. Console at E3 went extremely well, with no delay in the action that allowed them to face each other flawlessly. So, when your PC buddy heads over and wants to throw down with you on DoD or CS, tell him to pick up Shadowrun, and show him what console gamers are made of.

Make sure to check out the gallery, here.