A much needed improvement over 4th and 5th edition, but the quality of the printing is kinda weak. I know some will expect more and be hurt by disappointment, but the game is still very good despite the flaws, and this edition has changed things way more than 5th did and for the better.
Positives
- Unique definitive setting. Shadowrun has had great world building.
- Streamlined (FINALLY). Although this is still a complicated system, the last editions were needlessly difficult
- Diverse character creation. Classless system that lets players fill a role on a team that the GM can build around. The depth of what you can do unique to you is amazing.
Negatives:
- Editing/playtesting. At the time of writing this, some rules seem to be left out. In step 3 of character creation, nothing is written about the karma carrying over to step 4, which is obviously whats supposed to happen. Unarmed DV isn't written anywhere, ect. It's a mess.
- Same old mechanical traps. Shadowrun has always been a game where people min/max a lot, but I can't help but feel sad that it costs so much karma for the Aptitude quality and taking that skill to 10 is so expensive. Certain weapons are just plain better than others. Some people enjoy this, but it's a bit steep.
- Some art is recycled. Catalyst commissions very good artists but the last few books they've been recycling very recent artwork, it's not like everything is old, but can't help this hurts the quality of the book.
I'm sure the next few core books and an update far in the future to this one will satisfy me, which is why it gets a 4/5, with the positive changes beating the negative editing.
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