A fairly standard hacking mission goes terribly wrong and the leader of the small group of rogues is killed. Despite objections from other members of the group, the newly crowned leader must discover the sinister plot and put an end to it.
1. Gameplay
This game is a combination of two types of games that I really like. It has the conversations and decision-making elements present in great RPGs with the tactical turn-based combat system of XCOM. It’s the kind of combination that can lead to an unbelievably powerful game. And had I know that this was a standalone expansion pack to Shadowrun Returns when I started playing it, I probably would have cut the game a bit more slack. As it is, I finished my 12 hour experience feeling like it could have been so much more.
Before I sound overly negative about this game, let me make it abundantly clear that I enjoyed almost every minute of my experience. My complaints are mostly that I think the developers went in the right direction with a number of key elements, but didn’t go far enough. There were less than a dozen quests, even though the setup made it pretty obvious that this game could have (and, at least in concept, probably did) included many more. The character backstories had little effect on the game as a whole, and most of them didn’t really become evident until late in the game. The game hinted at romances and more in-depth relationships with numerous characters, but never panned out in this regard.
The combat system was clearly the most well-defined and robust system in the game, a huge plus considering half of the game is spent in combat. The game includes a simple to understand cover mechanic, a good variety of ranged and melee weapons, and tons of abilities for the player to use in the field. Every class and race feels unique, and almost every attribute opened up new conversation options during dialog (except ranged, the one class I chose to pour points into, of course).
Dragonfall feels like a prologue, one that desperately needs a follow-up. Without having played the main game yet, this game could very well be a prologue, but because it’s so short I never felt like my actions meant anything significant in the long run. I was making decisions thinking entirely for the short-term gains, not the long term consequences. It contrasts starkly with the Mass Effect games, where I knew my decisions would have ramifications (potentially major ones) over multiple titles. Dragonfall’s decisions weren’t poorly designed, they just lacked a sort of gravity because of the brevity of this title (and the lack of any definite sequels).
This game made me interested to try Shadowrun Returns, the main game that this game expands. I can definitely say this is a good thing, but I might recommend that players start there rather than start with Dragonfall.
It took me around 12 hours to complete this game. While it definitely warrants a second playthrough (I know that I missed at least one mission), I was surprised that there wasn’t more content in this game. I took my time in completing missions, but there were less than ten missions total. Considering this game is supposed to be about conversations and decisions, that didn’t feel like enough time to establish my character and get to know the world around me.
I just wanted more side quests from this game. Maybe a sequel would deliver more content, but as it is I couldn’t help but feel like this game was lacking in substance just slightly. I had fun, but I could have had more fun.
For the most part this game was relatively easy to figure out, it’s simply up to the player to make decisions and progress tactically through turn-based combat scenarios. However, there was one battle that left me fairly frustrated. In it, I had to free an AI while protecting its mainframe from a relentless horde of enemies. The combat difficulty spiked significantly for this scenario compared to all of the others in the game. I managed to beat it, but it felt abnormally and unfairly difficult.
2. Parental Notices
While much of this game is spent in nonviolent conversations and exploration, a decent portion is spent in combat. However, unlike most shooters, the slower-paced turn-based combat included in this game gives way to very little blood and gore. Far more time is spent in the preparation and support for attacks, rather than in the actual attacks themselves. That being said, the player can use a good variety of attacks when engaged by opponents. Most of these attacks, including those that are fired from lower-powered ranged weapons (pistols, SMGs, etc.) will result in little to no blood.
Critical hits will result in more noticeable blood. This was especially true for critical killing blows dealt by sniper rifles. However, this blood goes away fairly quickly.
Dead bodies will remain on the ground, and certain environments have visible carnage lying around. While gore may be present in this game, it was not particularly obvious.
This game features adult themes. Occasionally, conversations flirt around the topics of brothels and prostitutions. However, these are simply conversations. The player can never do anything sexual in nature in this game.
The player can find and buy stims that increase or decrease the player’s stats. These stims come in a decent variety and are fairly abundant. While there were plenty that I avoided (mostly because of their negative effects on my stats and abilities), I did end up using a number of them over the course of the game. There doesn’t seem to be any way for the player to become addicted to these drugs.
There are a number of characters, especially early on in the game, who are clearly addicted to stims. A few of these characters can have conversations with the player, and some of these involve the player having the opportunity to give these addicts drugs (or try to rehabilitate them).
Alcohol and tobacco are mentioned in a few conversations. However, these are fairly rare overall.
Gambling is not a factor in this game.
3. Other Factors
There are no modding tools available for this game.
Religion does come up a few times in this game, although it is not a very prominent element. One of the characters had an ultra-religious father who, because of her magic, kicked her out of the house and called her the “devil’s whore”.
Much of this character’s backstory involves a devil-worshipping cult. The player has the opportunity to take down this cult and confront the “devil”.
There doesn’t seem to be an official legal system in this game. For the most part, it seems like groups of people have separate rules that govern themselves, and enforce these rules on other groups when conflicts between these groups arise. For example, the player will have to fight against at least one corporation. While the corporation could be seen as an organization that enforces its own rules, it isn’t a clear governing body. Therefore, anti-law is not a factor in this game.
There are no multiplayer modes for this game.
Extreme sports are not a factor in this game.
Despite the fact that this game is set in a post-apocalyptic future, it does include magic. Many of the characters and character types can cast spells that have a wide variety of effects at friends and enemies. Casting these sorts of spells cause a flash of light or a ball of energy to flow forward towards the target.
Some character types can also summon spirits from different objects and locations within the environment. The caster will have to roll to make sure that their summoned creature stays under their control. If the roll fails, the caster loses control of the creature and it attacks anything near it.
There are no additional factors in this game.
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