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[iratA]

I'm completely lost and in need of some help please. I'm just starting out with this series and purchased a triple pack from Steam which installed three icons on my Desktop which are:

a. Shadowrun Returns

b. Shadowrun Dragonfall - Director's Cut

c. Shadowrun Hong Kong - Extended Edition

I quickly started all three just to make sure they would launch/work etc.

When I start 'Shadowrun Returns' it loads to a title screen called Shadowrun Dragonfall?

Questions:

1) So I am assuming Shadowrun Returns is Shadowrun Dragonfall?
2) If this is correct why would I want OR need to play it, if I have (b) Director's Cut. Should I just start with it instead?
3) I believe Shadowrun Hong Kong is an entirely different game to (a) or (b) so play it last?
4) What about DLC I have no idea where or how this is integrated.

All advice where to start with this series would be appreciated. I would prefer to play through the older games first, unless chronologically they are out of order and / or I will miss DLC etc.

 

[Son of a Witch]

Shadowrun Returns is the first game, Dragonfall the second one, which was initially an expansion to Returns, but later released standalone as the Director's Cut.

I'm guessing the Dragonfall title in Shadowrun Returns is a leftover from the DLC.

 

[mclem]

Dragonfall was originally DLC for Shadowrun Returns, then it was expanded as the DC into its own release. The original campaign for Shadowrun Returns - Dead Man's Switch - should be in there somewhere and is the first actual Shadowrun Returns-family release.

So, in terms of releases:

Shadowrun Returns (Dead Man's Switch)
Shadowrun Returns DLC (Dragonfall)
Shadowrun: Dragonfall DC (Dragonfall Director's Cut)
Shadowrun: Hong Kong.

You probably don't particularly need to play the DLC version of Dragonfall with the Director's Cut, but you may still want to play Dead Man's Switch; that's the first of the Returns family.

 

[Patryn]

The Shadowrun Returns campaign is called Dead Man's Switch. As others have said, Dragonfall was originally the DLC for SR, but later expanded to its own game. If you have a choice, definitely play the Director's Cut (standalone) version of Dragonfall.

If you're playing them, be aware that they're not really tied to one another beyond being set in the same world, but there are subtle references to major events in each that could be construed as loose spoilers if you play them out of order. The correct chronological order of the games is:

1.) Shadowrun Returns (Dead Man's Switch)
2.) Dragonfall
3.) Hong Kong

Let me say that they're also excellent games. I had a lot of fun with them, and they partially converted me from being a RTWP person to a turn-based one.

 

[Red Hood]

1) Dragonfall was an expansion to Returns, but the Director's Cut is now a stand-alone game with more missions and other improvements.

2) The general consensus is that Dragonfall DC is better than Returns in every way, so you might not want to play Returns if you want to minimise fatigue risks. I haven't played it myself, jumped into Dragonfall DC - absolutely loved it - and afterwards Hong Kong, which I really liked as well.

3) That's correct, it's a sequel, but not necessarily a narrative one. But yes, you might want to play that as last.

 

[Orakio Rob]

I (and probably most people here on GAF) suggest you skip Shadorwun Returns. You don't need to play it to understand anything and Dragonfall is waaaaaaay better. I haven't played Hong Kong, but people seem to like it too.

 

[Patryn]

As a dissenting opinion, let me say that Shadowrun Returns can be worthwhile to play if you can't get enough of the Shadowrun gameplay. I, for one, couldn't.

You just have to be aware that it's lacking a lot of the stuff from the later games, such as having a regular crew to run with. It's more more of a solo story, and given that it's the first game in the series, the gameplay is a little rougher than in the later titles.

 

[MadSexual]

Hmph. I really enjoyed Returns. It makes me even more excited to start Dragonfall having played it.

 

[iratA]

Wow reading some of these posts, this really is confusing. It sounds like I could just start with (b) The Directors Cut because it has the same core story as (a) but with improvements and extra missions. Is that correct? Or would I be missing that 'Dead Man's Switch' thing?

 

[Coriolanus]

Dead Man's Switch is a campaign. You get it in Returns.

Dragonfall is another, completely different, campaign. You should get it with Dragonfall Director's Cut, which is... the revised and improved director's cut of shadowrun Dragonfalll.

Hong Kong is yet another completely different campaign.

skip Dead Man's Switch.

 

[Patryn]

Wow reading some of these posts, this really is confusing. It sounds like I could just start with (b) The Directors Cut because it has the same core story as (a) but with improvements and extra missions. Is that correct? Or would I be missing that 'Dead Man's Switch' thing?

You would be missing the Dead Man's Switch.

There are basically three "core" campaigns:

1.) Dead Man's Switch - Only playable through Shadowrun Returns
2.) Dragonfall - Playable as either DLC for Shadowrun Returns, or with improved mechanics, additional missions and more story as Dragonfall DC
3.) Hong Kong - Only playable as Shadowrun: Hong Kong

So the only one you have a choice with is Dragonfall. If you want to play it with a worse story, worse mechanics, and fewer missions, play it through Shadowrun Returns. If you want the superior experience, play it as Shadowrun: Dragonfall Director's Cut.

 

[xChildOfHatex]

Wow reading some of these posts, this really is confusing. It sounds like I could just start with (b) The Directors Cut because it has the same core story as (a) but with improvements and extra missions. Is that correct? Or would I be missing that 'Dead Man's Switch' thing?

Dead Man's Switch is crap. I barely remember what I did in it and Dragonfall and Hong Kong still make sense to me everytime I play them. So, don't worry about any continuity problems.

Just go straight to Dragonfall - Director's Cut followed by Hong Kong.

 

[mclem]

Wow reading some of these posts, this really is confusing. It sounds like I could just start with (b) The Directors Cut because it has the same core story as (a) but with improvements and extra missions. Is that correct? Or would I be missing that 'Dead Man's Switch' thing?

(b) has the same core story as the DLC for (a). Dead Man's Switch is the main story of (a), and that's not replicated elsewhere. It's the first title in terms of release order.

 

[Stone Ocean]

I (and probably most people here on GAF) suggest you skip Shadorwun Returns. You don't need to play it to understand anything and Dragonfall is waaaaaaay better. I haven't played Hong Kong, but people seem to like it too.

I die a little inside whenever I see someone telling people to skip Dead Man's Switch

 

[iratA]

Dead Man's Switch is a campaign. You get it in Returns.

Dragonfall is another, completely different, campaign. You should get it with Dragonfall Director's Cut, which is... the revised and improved director's cut of shadowrun Dragonfalll.

Hong Kong is yet another completely different campaign.

skip Dead Man's Switch.

Are so they are three different campaigns. I would rather play all three if there isn't too much repeated content when I switch between them. But if Dead man's Switch is like a 2-3 hour side jaunt that is missing from the Director's Cut then yeah I will probably skip it.

 

[MadSexual]

Are so they are three different campaigns. I would rather play all three if there isn't too much repeated content when I switch between them. But if Dead man's Switch is like a 2-3 hour side jaunt that is missing from the Director's Cut then yeah I will probably skip it.

It took me around 10 hours.

 

[Coriolanus]

But if Dead man's Switch is like a 2-3 hour side jaunt that is missing from the Director's Cut then yeah I will probably skip it.

DMS is about 12 hours long.

 

[Patryn]

Are so they are three different campaigns. I would rather play all three if there isn't too much repeated content when I switch between them. But if Dead man's Switch is like a 2-3 hour side jaunt that is missing from the Director's Cut then yeah I will probably skip it.

There is absolutely no trace of Dead Man's Switch in Director's Cut. It is not a side mission, it is not DLC.

It takes place in Seattle with its cast of characters. Dragonfall takes place in Berlin with an entirely different set of characters. They have entirely different (player-created) protagonists.

The only crossover is some mercs you can hire based on Kickstarter backers who have no story impact, and some offhand references.

Dead Man's Switch is a full campaign. In fact, it's the original campaign.

 

[Corpekata]

Are so they are three different campaigns. I would rather play all three if there isn't too much repeated content when I switch between them. But if Dead man's Switch is like a 2-3 hour side jaunt that is missing from the Director's Cut then yeah I will probably skip it.

Dead Man's Switch isn't a side jaunt. It's the first main game, it is "Returns."

The Director's Cut is a director's cut of Dragonfall only. There is no repeated content between them all as they are completely different stories and each game is in the 15-30 hour range.

People suggest Dragonfall first because it is by far the best game and shook up the formula a bit compared to Returns / Dead Man's Switch.

 

[Durante]

There is absolutely no trace of Dead Man's Switch in Director's Cut. It is not a side mission, it is not DLC.

It is a full campaign. In fact, it's the original campaign.

Yeah, if you want to play all the campaigns, what you should do is

1. play Dead Man's Switch in the original Shadowrun Returns
2. play Dragonfall in Shadowrun: Dragonfall - Director's Cut
3. play Hong Kong in Shadowrun: Hong Kong - Extended Edition

People suggest Dragonfall first because it is by far the best game and shook up the formula a bit.

I don't agree. Hong Kong does some things better, Dragonfall DC does others better. They are on par overall.

 

[iratA]

hahaha OMG.... so let me get this straight if I play (a) and (b) how much repeated content am I going to have to play through? Because I don't like the sound of missing approx. 12 hours of unique content from Dead Man's Switch.

 

[Durante]

hahaha OMG.... so let me get this straight if I play (a) and (b) how much repeated content am I going to have to play through? Because I don't like the sound of missing approx. 12 hours of unique content from Dead Man's Switch.

If you follow the order in my post there will be absolutely no repeated content.

It's really not that complicated :/

 

[mclem]

hahaha OMG.... so let me get this straight if I play (a) and (b) how much repeated content am I going to have to play through? Because I don't like the sound of missing approx. 12 hours of unique content from Dead Man's Switch.

The DLC in (a) is handled as a completely separate campaign; it's not integrated with the existing one. Just play the Dead Man's Switch campaign in (a), don't touch the Dragonfall campaign in (a), then go on to (b), and you'll be fine.


Edit: I think the sticking point for you is the fact that on running Returns you're seeing it say Dragonfall, and that's leading you into thinking that the entirety of that first title is based around Dragonfall. Ignore that. Since at the time Dragonfall was a big, exciting DLC release, they updated the title screen to reflect that. Dead Man's Switch is the original campaign, and that should be in there somewhere. I'd expect a prompt to choose between the two when you hit "start new game".

 

[Corpekata]

hahaha OMG.... so let me get this straight if I play (a) and (b) how much repeated content am I going to have to play through? Because I don't like the sound of missing approx. 12 hours of unique content from Dead Man's Switch.

None. They take place in entirely different continents and with entirely different casts of characters.


It's not "unique content" you're missing. It's the first game. It just has some glaring issues that left people cold so people recommend the other games more.

 

[iratA]

Dead Man's Switch isn't a side jaunt. It's the first main game, it is "Returns."

The Director's Cut is a director's cut of Dragonfall only. There is no repeated content between them all as they are completely different stories and each game is in the 15-30 hour range.

People suggest Dragonfall first because it is by far the best game and shook up the formula a bit compared to Returns / Dead Man's Switch.

When I start my 'Shadowrun Returns' Desktop Icon it loads to a title screen called 'Shadowrun Dragonfall' hence half my confusion from the get go!

 

[xChildOfHatex]

Hong Kong does some things better, Dragonfall DC does others better. They are on par overall.

Yeah, this is how I feel everytime someone compares HK and Dragonfall. I still find DMS to be irredeemable pile of trash though. Sorry about the off-topic.

 

[Patryn]

hahaha OMG.... so let me get this straight if I play (a) and (b) how much repeated content am I going to have to play through? Because I don't like the sound of missing approx. 12 hours of unique content from Dead Man's Switch.

Nothing.

Ignore splash screens.

When you start Shadowrun Returns, it will ask you which campaign you want to play.

Pick Dead Man's Switch.

Again, there is literally 0 percent overlap between Dead Man's Switch and Dragonfall.

 

[Corpekata]

When I start my 'Shadowrun Returns' Desktop Icon it loads to a title screen called 'Shadowrun Dragonfall' hence half my confusion from the get go!

As has been stated, originally they planned to release all the campaigns through Returns. But after feedback they decided to release Dragonfall standalone (hence the Director's Cut) because it was getting such a good reception and some were hesitant to buy Returns + Dragonfall DLC just to get the campaign they wanted.

 

[Urthor]

Hong Kong does combat and overall gameplay markedly better than Dragonfall, interface was much smoother in parts, particularly the inventory. Dragonfall's decking was pretty awful. Hong Kong has quite a few refinements.


Only difference is if you prefer the story they have for Dragonfall vs Hong Kong, idg the semi-grognard attitude to Dragonfall. Overall the campaign's writings are like, good but not THAT good, formulaic to anyone who knows the genre and encroaching on teh 17 standard plots.

I'd definitely say you play HK if you're only going to play one, play Dragonfall then Hong Kong if you're going to play two so you're not annoyed by having to go from slick HK to less slick DF.

 

[iratA]

The DLC in (a) is handled as a completely separate campaign; it's not integrated with the existing one. Just play the Dead Man's Switch campaign in (a), don't touch the Dragonfall campaign in (a), then go on to (b), and you'll be fine.


Edit: I think the sticking point for you is the fact that on running Returns you're seeing it say Dragonfall. Ignore that. Since at the time Dragonfall was a big, exciting DLC release, they updated the title screen to reflect that.

So I select this from the Title Screen somewhere and then start with it fresh (no existing save etc) Finish it. Then move on to (b). That sounds easy enough.

 

[iratA]

Nothing.

Ignore splash screens.

When you start Shadowrun Returns, it will ask you which campaign you want to play.

Pick Dead Man's Switch.

Again, there is literally 0 percent overlap between Dead Man's Switch and Dragonfall.

Ah I think I did see that option actually and didn't know what to click. I think I clicked Dragonfall. Ok this does it then I'll just restart it.

 

[Patryn]

So I select this from the Title Screen somewhere and then start with it fresh (no existing save etc) Finish it. Then move on to (b). That sounds easy enough.

From the main menu you'll select something like New Game (or New Campaign). You'll then be greeted with a box where you can select which campaign you wish to play. Choose Dead Man's Switch.

 

[iratA]

As has been stated, originally they planned to release all the campaigns through Returns. But after feedback they decided to release Dragonfall standalone (hence the Director's Cut) because it was getting such a good reception and some were hesitant to buy Returns + Dragonfall DLC just to get the campaign they wanted.

This is all starting to make sense to me now. Thanks everyone for putting me on the straight and narrow. Hopefully I didn't make too many heads explode with my stupidity and lack of understanding. I am very excited about sinking my teeth into this now I 've got this straight.

 

[AColdDay]

If you only play one, play Dragonfall: Director's Cut.

I wish they would have stayed in Seattle for the sequels, as I like that particular flavor of Shadowrun, but the world is pretty good in Dragonfall, the characters are the best in the series, the gameplay is way improved from Dead Man's Switch, and the pacing is on point.

Hong Kong is fine, but it suffers from serious pacing issues and the stealth based Matrix gameplay is a huge misstep. I've backed all the games, and played through tons of mod campaigns but even super-fan "jred250" was tiring of the endless dialogue in-between and during missions. I would just hang my head anytime I had to enter the Matrix.

Dead Man's Switch is totally fine, but it is the weakest in regards to gameplay options(although it is better paced then Hong Kong).

 

[Coriolanus]

Matrix was kinda crap in all games, tbh. Not particularly interesting.

 

[soulchilde]

If you only play one, play Dragonfall: Director's Cut.

I wish they would have stayed in Seattle for the sequels, as I like that particular flavor of Shadowrun, but the world is pretty good in Dragonfall, the characters are the best in the series, the gameplay is way improved from Dead Man's Switch, and the pacing is on point.

Hong Kong is fine, but it suffers from serious pacing issues and the stealth based Matrix gameplay is a huge misstep. I've backed all the games, and played through tons of mod campaigns but even super-fan "jred250" was tiring of the endless dialogue in-between and during missions. I would just hang my head anytime I had to enter the Matrix.

Dead Man's Switch is totally fine, but it is the weakest in regards to gameplay options(although it is better paced then Hong Kong).

I agree with all of this. I just finished Hong Kong Extended Edition last night and while it's on rails mainly (only two side runs available) it closes out Hong Kong nicely.

Actually, the additional content allows you talk your way out of some fights which I found to be refreshing

 

[Patryn]

I agree with all of this. I just finished Hong Kong Extended Edition last night and while it's on rails mainly (only two side runs available) it closes out Hong Kong nicely.

Actually, the additional content allows you talk your way out of some fights which I found to be refreshing

There's definitely more than 2 optional side runs. I know that I could hit the end game with about 4-5 runs I hadn't finished yet.