Shadowrun Returns dev explains 'classless' system, details role skills

Shadowrun Returns may be delayed to allow more time for polishing, but that hasn't stopped creative director at Harebrained Schemes Jordan Weisman from talking about the game's classless progression system and role skills.

In an interview with Game Informer, Weisman explained, “Shadowrun is a classless system, meaning that players are not restricted to a single character development path. Rather, players start with a representative Shadowrun character archetype and are then free to grow their character as they wish, spending Karma points to choose any skill or ability available in the game."

Karma points are what define your character in Shadowrun Returns, and while there are no strict classes to worry about, Weisman offered a run-down of the initial roles available to players.

Regarding the mage role Weisman said, "Mages use hermetic magic to cast a wide variety of spells including Acid Stream, Lightning bolt, Manabolt, Blindness, Confusion, and Petrify. Mages can also enhance other characters’ abilities with spells such as AP (action point) Boost, Aim, Armor, Ignore Pain, Stealth, and Heal. Lastly, Mages can negatively impact others with spells like Slow, Distraction, Disintegrate, Agony, and Mana Static, which makes it harder to cast magic.”

There's also the painfully badass-sounding Street Samurai, which, "can gain the ability to carry up to three weapons into combat and special ranged skills such as snapshot, armor piercing, and head-shots. In close combat, Samurai can gain actions like slash, stab, and cleave with bladed weapons, and the ability to disarm an opponent."

Weisman covered all of the role types in his chat with Game Informer. Check it out here if you want the full story, or check out the Shadowrun Returns blog for more art and info.