If you’ve thoroughly enjoyed journeying through the gritty, high-tech world of the Shadowrun Trilogy, you may yearn for more experiences that mirror its captivating atmosphere and engaging gameplay. Worry not, dear gamer, as several other titles are out there that channel similar vibes.
In this article, you’ll explore nine other games that share the fantastic blend of fantasy and cyberpunk elements as the Shadowrun trilogy, offering you a variety of realms to immerse your adventurous spirit into. From the dystopian landscapes of ‘Cyberpunk 2077’ to the post-apocalyptic Colorado of ‘Wasteland 3’, each one of these games will provide a unique narrative and gameplay mechanics suiting a variety of tastes.
Get ready to embark on a thrilling expedition across unseen worlds, ready to conquer the challenges and relish the victories that lie ahead. Buckle up and prepare for a wild ride!
Shadowrun Overview
Shadowrun is a renowned and popular role-playing game combining fantasy and cyberpunk elements. A quintessential example of the cyberpunk genre, it captivates players with its immersive, neon-lit environments and a gritty parallel universe where technology and magic coexist.
Brief History
Shadowrun was born from the mind of Jordan Weisman and first published in 1989 by FASA Corporation. Initially, Shadowrun started as a tabletop role-playing game but later expanded to include various forms of media such as novels, video games, and even a live-action series.
Gameplay Mechanics
The gameplay in Shadowrun is a blend of traditional role-playing elements and tactical, turn-based combat. Players create characters with varied skills, such as hacking, magic, or gun-slinging, and the strategic part comes into play as you manage your crew on the field.
How you navigate the complex, layered stories often has significant ramifications on the game’s path, making choices an essential aspect of the game.
Plot
Shadowrun transports players to the mid-21st century. The world of Shadowrun sees the resurgence of magic, the rise of mega-corporations, the advent of cybernetic technologies, and various fantastical races like elves, trolls, and dragons coexist with mankind. Players assume the role of showrunners, mercenaries living on society’s fringes, doing questionable jobs for any who can pay.
Reception of Shadowrun
Shadowrun has been met with positive reviews and immense popularity among fans of the role-playing genre and lovers of intricate storytellers. Its tactical gameplay, rich lore, engaging plot, and the marriage of fantasy and sci-fi elements have solidified its position as an iconic game in the industry.
1. Citizen Sleeper
Release date
Citizen Sleeper isn’t officially released yet; it’s set to make its debut in 2023.
Game genre
Citizen Sleeper combines elements of narrative-driven role-playing games with the replayability of a roguelite.
Available platforms
This game will be available on Steam for Windows, PC, and Mac.
Similarities with Shadowrun
Like Shadowrun, Citizen Sleeper is set in a cyberpunk universe. The game explores societal issues such as wealth equality and offers players deep, consequential decision-making and complex branching paths that directly influence the game world. It also occurs in a bustling city with a similar dystopic cagey vibe to Shadowrun.
2. Cyberpunk 2077
Release date
Cyberpunk 2077 was released on December 10, 2020.
Game genre
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world, action-adventure RPG.
Available platforms
The game is available on most platforms, including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows PC.
Similarities with Shadowrun
Cyberpunk 2077 shares a lot with Shadowrun in terms of setting and atmosphere. Both are set in neo-noir, dystopian future cities ruled by mega-corporations. The main protagonist in each game also lives a similar life, as a gun-for-hire navigating their way in a universe full of crime, power struggles, and social inequalities.
3. Disco Elysium
Release date
Disco Elysium was first released on October 15, 2019.
Game genre
This inventive title is a role-playing detective game.
Available platforms
It can be played on Windows PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
Similarities with Shadowrun
Shadowrun and Disco Elysium provide players a vast, open world full of characters to communicate with and mysteries to unravel. Moreover, decision-making and dialogue trees are core gameplay features in both games, allowing for unique narrative experiences with each playthrough.
4. XCOM 2
Release date
XCOM 2 was released on February 5, 2016.
Game genre
This game is a turn-based tactics and strategy title.
Available platforms
XCOM 2 is available on Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Similarities with Shadowrun
There’s a tangible element of familiarity between XCOM 2 and Shadowrun, primarily due to the tactical turn-based combat that forms the backbone of gameplay in both games. They also share a theme of resistance against oppressive forces.
5. Fire Emblem: Three Houses
Release date
Fire Emblem: Three Houses was released on July 26, 2019.
Game genre
This game is a tactical role-playing game.
Available platforms
Fire Emblem: Three Houses is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch.
Similarities with Shadowrun
Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Shadowrun rely heavily on tactical strategy during battles. Additionally, both games incorporate unique characters who bring their own strengths and abilities to the table, leading to different team compositions and strategies for every player.
6. Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Release date
Deus Ex: Human Revolution was released on August 23, 2011.
Game genre
This game is a cyberpunk-themed action RPG.
Available platforms
The title is available on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows PC, and Wii U.
Similarities with Shadowrun
Deus Ex: Human Revolution shares a cyberpunk setting with Shadowrun and focuses on themes such as human augmentation and the corporate control of society. They also share an emphasis on player choice affecting the storyline’s outcome.
7. Divinity: Original Sin 2
Release date
Divinity: Original Sin 2 was officially released on September 14, 2017.
Game genre
This game is a role-playing game featuring cooperative multiplayer.
Available platforms
It is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows PC, macOS, Switch, and iOS.
Similarities with Shadowrun
Strong RPG elements and a rich, persistent world of characters and creatures make Divinity: Original Sin 2 comparable to Shadowrun. Both games present a sandbox-like environment where decisions define how the world and narrative unfold.
8. Wasteland 3
Release date
Wasteland 3 was released on August 28, 2020.
Game genre
This legendary title is a squad-based role-playing game with strategic combat.
Available platforms
It is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows PC.
Similarities with Shadowrun
Wasteland 3 shares its strategic turn-based combat and RPG elements with Shadowrun. Moreover, players can also customize and develop their characters, resulting in different strategic options during play.
9. Cloudpunk
Release date
Cloudpunk was released on April 23, 2020.
Game genre
This game is an atmospheric adventure title.
Available platforms
It is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC.
Similarities with Shadowrun
Atmospherically, Cloudpunk shares the neon-soaked, cyberpunk aesthetic of Shadowrun. While it doesn’t offer the same combat or RPG elements as Shadowrun, the game does provide players with a fascinating narrative experienced through exploration and interaction, not unlike the journey in Shadowrun.
