Preview Shadowrun: Hong Kong Kickstarter Update #36: The Matrix Revealed

[Infinitron]

Tags: Harebrained Schemes; Shadowrun: Hong Kong

With Shadowrun: Hong Kong only two weeks from release, Harebrained Schemes have finally released some screenshots of the game's revamped Matrix, in a Kickstarter update dedicated entirely to it. And boy does it look cool:

​

That gold one is an exampled of a Sculpted System location. The update also comes with a couple of animated GIFs and with two music tracks that play in the new Matrix. Oh, and there's also a message for those of you who are anxious about their keys:

So that's how the new Matrix looks and sounds, but how does it play? Well, we've revised a lot of Matrix systems and added some really fun new stuff such as Watcher IC and Blocker IC which really ramp up the tension of diving into cyberspace and provide a much greater variety of gameplay than before. We'd love to go into more detail but - every minute we can spend testing and polishing the game right now is vital. We hope to tell you more about Matrix gameplay in the coming weeks, or you can see it for yourself on August 20th!

One other thing - we know everyone's anxious to get their keys, so we also want to let you know we're in the process of getting keys and other rewards into your BackerKit accounts. Watch for an update soon announcing that they're available, and for a general status update on the various Kickstarter rewards.

Note that your keys can't be delivered to your account unless you've answered your survey. You can head to the SRHK BackerKit page to double-check that you've answered your survey, or email them at support@backerkit.com if you need any help.
​

So, I guess they saved the Matrix until the very end to generate hype before release. Are you hyped, Codex?

 

[Excidium II]

At least it seems they're varying the enviroments a bit.

 

[Grotesque]

not me!

 

[Jaesun]

 

[Sensuki]

I'm actually a bit disappointed - it looks like the same gameplay with better graphics, when it was the gameplay of the Matrix that was kinda boring.

 

[Transfiguring Roar]

Is it me or, besides the sculpted area, are the matrix graphics not that greatly improved? It's been a while since I've played SRR and DF...

Looking forward to this.

 

[VioletShadow]

So hype!

 

[Rivmusique]

Any word on animation speeds? Like a x2-3 option or just a general effort to increase the speed of some ability animations? I also noticed in real-time/non-combat mode that when you click to move to a location very far away your characters run much faster than when you click nearby (and when you click even closer they just walk), could use an option to move max speed at all times.

 

[Junmarko]

It's only two weeks away!? Fuck yeah.

By the way, Jon Everist uploaded two tracks from the OST to his soundcloud page.
https://soundcloud.com/everistsound

 

[Ismaul]

I'm actually a bit disappointed - it looks like the same gameplay with better graphics, when it was the gameplay of the Matrix that was kinda boring.

Well, they added stealth, so that's something.

Environments look much better.

 

[thesheeep]

I'm actually a bit disappointed - it looks like the same gameplay with better graphics, when it was the gameplay of the Matrix that was kinda boring.

Isn't it a good thing then that they added to the Matrix gameplay?

 

[FrankHamilton]

Isn't it a good thing then that they added to the Matrix gameplay?

The big problem with the Matrix was that it used the same system for the squad combat which was only interesting because of the multiple characters with varied abilities. Make me use only one character and it becomes a lot more lackluster.

It's nice that they're adding a stealth mechanic to it, which lends itself better to single character gameplay.

 

[Infinitron]

Ideally the Matrix would have mechanics built into it that lend themselves to more of an environmental interaction "isometric Deus Ex"/UnderRail type of experience.

 

[V_K]

Make me use only one character and it becomes a lot more lackluster.

Only no one made you use only one character: you could easily make a squad of "summons".

 

[MrMarbles]

Hopefully those moving sentries provide a bit more challenge. Like Sensuki said, the gameplay was always kinda boring, and one of the main reasons for that was that you had to work really hard to actually fail. Would have been more hyped if the devs promised to ramp up the difficulty.

 

[roshan]

Looks like it's just the old matrix with a graphical overhaul.

 

[almondblight]

Hopefully those moving sentries provide a bit more challenge. Like Sensuki said, the gameplay was always kinda boring, and one of the main reasons for that was that you had to work really hard to actually fail. Would have been more hyped if the devs promised to ramp up the difficulty.

I thought the Blitz mission had some decent matrix stuff. The bits puzzle wasn't that difficult, but it was a decent change of pace. And I definitely died a few times when you faced off against that decker at the end, and had to change my strategy.

 

[Jaesun]

The bits puzzle wasn't that difficult, but it was a decent change of pace. And I definitely died a few times when you faced off against that decker at the end, and had to change my strategy.

Same here. I was at first like "lol some stupid decker enemy" and then I died.

I then had to change my tactics.

 

[FrankHamilton]

Only no one made you use only one character: you could easily make a squad of "summons".

Which each had one ability, compare that with "real combat" where you had a spellcaster who could cast spells and summon demons from the environment, melee fighters etc. With the summoned programs you only did the one thing, shoot and I kinda remember there was one with a shield buff or something. Even the shaman's summons are more interesting than that.

Point is, it's pretty clear the only reason they put the matrix in the game in the first place is because that's what people expected of Shadowrun, not because they wanted to try out an interesting game mechanic. For the most part they didn't really seem to know what to do with it.

 

[almondblight]

Point is, it's pretty clear the only reason they put the matrix in the game in the first place is because that's what people expected of Shadowrun, not because they wanted to try out an interesting game mechanic. For the most part they didn't really seem to know what to do with it.

Yeah, they even said so themselves. Originally it was just going to be a straight-up skill check, but then they threw in the current system at the last minute (and feels like it too). I'd personally prefer if the hacking was something that felt completely different from the real world, even if it's a bit simple (the SNES Shadowrun hacking did a decent job with that). But we're not going to see a complete overhaul until they switch engines.

 

[skyst]

The times when your decker is in the matrix while the rest of the squad protects him in the real world are quite compelling. I think that the effect of those situations would be lost if the matrix were simply a skill check that took your decker out of the fight for 5 turns or whatever while he matrixed. It also creates situations where your decker can impact the battle in the real world by activating turrets or whatever else.

 

[Tigranes]

The matrix has always been entirely pointless: you're basically playing a much uglier and much more limited (and therefore superboring) version of real combat. The only interesting gameplay comes from defending your occupied hacker in the real world ... in other words, the same level of gameplay that any incapacity debuff induces.

The new matrix seems prettier and marginally more interesting, but it's still likely to be another yawn time where you spend most of the time waiting for the slow enemy attack animations, and either kill everybody with a proper decker or miss every other shot and run around behind corners playing turn-based popamole with our shitty decker.

 

[TomatoJuice]

I would not mind if the matrix was all skill checks.

But lets see how the matrix upgrades work in real game play.

 

[Infinitron]

Not reading the OP: The Thread

 

[Roguey]

I'm going to be savescumming like all hell to avoid that tedious Matrix combat.