Treit & True:

The Cross-Platform Experience

Published June 13, 2007

When I settled down to compare sessions of Shadowrun™ on both Windows Vista and Xbox 360™ to try out the highly-touted cross-platform functionality, I imagined there would be a lot to cover after reflecting on the disparate experiences. That's the thing though—the gameplay isn't disparate at all. For all intents and purposes, Shadowrun runs, plays, and feels exceptionally similar on both platforms.

No matter the platform, they all die the same.

The primary benefit here is that if you own both Windows Vista and Xbox 360, the choice of which version to buy is simple. Choose the platform you like best. If you cut your teeth as a first-person shooter (FPS) gamer on the PC, Vista has you covered, but if you're a Halo® freak, Xbox 360 is the obvious choice. That's it.

In the thirty-plus hours I've already logged in matches
in Shadowrun, cross-platform play has been nothing
but a boon to this remarkable and original shooter.

All that being said, there are some minor differences that could sway your decision one way or another, depending on your preferences:

• Hot buttons: Shadowrun employs a system of hotkeys to access up to three powers at any given time. On Xbox 360, these hotkeys are bound to LB, RB, and Left Trigger, and on the PC, to the 1, 2, and 3 buttons on your keyboard. While you can reassign the keys on the PC, accessing powers may be a smidge more intuitive on the console, as you can move and aim more easily while simultaneously accessing a hotkey.
• High-def diff: While Shadowrun runs in glorious 720 progressive scan on Xbox 360, if you don't have a HDTV or if you're sporting a spectacular monitor that runs well in excess of 1280-720 resolution, the Windows Vista version may offer a more robust visual feast.
• Play style: To be perfectly honest, I can say with little hesitation that hardcore PC gamers are simply more at ease with lightning-fast aiming. If you enjoy sniping, or love crouching down in a corner and raining precision rifle shots on your enemy, you may be more disposed to the Windows Vista version. However, if you're a Smoke-using, katana-wielding elf, or a Teleport-happy dwarf with a shotgun, the required matching of abilities and movement may seem more natural on Xbox 360. Again, it comes down to play preference.

Gust is the ultimate katana bane.

Regarding Aiming
The primary worry of Xbox 360 gamers since the cross-platform feature in Shadowrun was announced has been the perceived control supremacy of mouse-and-keyboard over dual-analog control. Rest assured:

• Shadowrun isn't built with pixel-precise aiming in mind. Your targeting reticle is a broad circle, not itty-bitty crosshairs. Absolute precision isn't a requirement.
• You can ratchet up the control sensitivity on Xbox 360 to rival the aiming speed available to mouse-and-keyboard.
• Shadowrun is designed and balanced to reward strategy, communication and use of one's special abilities. Therefore, the shooting mechanic requires far more patience than your typical FPS. For example, proper use of the submachine gun requires short bursts of fire to keep your bullet-spread on target. In all, one-on-one battles in Shadowrun are longer, more elaborate affairs as spells, technology, and the deliberate aiming mechanic fuse together for a strategic experience.
• For my own part, I found my kill stats substantially lower when playing on Windows Vista, but then, I'm primarily a console gamer and dual-analog control is my natural habitat. There's no doubt that if my brother—an avid mouse-and-keyboard fan—picked up Shadowrun, he'd be more successful on his chosen platform.

Cross-platform team coming to get ya!

The Cross-Platform Benefit
Lost among all the heated forum posts and water-cooler arguments is the massive benefit cross-platform play offers. Merging the PC and Xbox 360 communities creates an enormous pool of available players. Finding and sticking with matches is quicker and easier, and more importantly, the combined communities guarantee Shadowrun a longer lifespan.

In the thirty-plus hours I've already logged in matches in Shadowrun, cross-platform play has been nothing but a boon to this remarkable and original shooter. The few groans and complaints I've heard voiced have been quickly squashed after a review of the leaderboards reveals no disparity between the platforms. Now, let's embrace the influx of players Windows Vista brings to the table, and get back to the business of defending, swiping, and scoring the artifact.

Article by Ryan Treit