When comparing Frozen Synapse vs Shadowrun: Hong Kong, the Slant community recommends Shadowrun: Hong Kong for most people. In the question“What are the best Top-Down games on Steam?” Shadowrun: Hong Kong is ranked 27th while Frozen Synapse is ranked 32nd. The most important reason people chose Shadowrun: Hong Kong is:
The characters, missions and dialogue are extremely well written.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Good selection of multiplayer
There are 5 different online multiplayer gametypes (Secure, Exterminate, Charge, Disputed & Hostage). There is also a hotseat mode where local players can swap turns on the same PC.
Pro Randomly generated maps
Each game has a randomly generated map, which keeps the game fresh being that it is a different layout each time payed.
Pro Multiple game modes
There' s a campaign, that takes you through a cyberpunk style story where you assisting a resistance faction in a struggle against a corporate government regime; there is a skirmish mode that randomly generates a map based on a number of criteria you can set; and a multiplayer mode with 5 different gametypes.
Pro Play multiple games at once
Since the game is turn-based you can have multiple games running simultaneously. You can even play a game over e-mail.
Pro Watch replays of games
You can watch your own games or multiplayer games of other people.
Pro Great tactical depth
Frozen Synapse has deep tactical possibilities. You have to take into account your environment (there's even destructible terrain), strengths and weaknesses of each squad member, position and viewing angles of every man on the field while developing a coherent plan of action by setting waypoints, aim directions and stance of your squad members to overcome your enemy. You can even run simulations to see how things might play out before committing to action.
Pro Excellent writing
The characters, missions and dialogue are extremely well written.
Pro Rich story and universe
This is the 3rd installment of Shadowrun from Hairbrained Schemes Development, giving us even more fantastic story content to explore. Much like the previous game the story is BladeRunner esque as a cyberpunk type story but with a twist of involving fantasy elements such as Orks and Elves.
Pro Engrossing theme
Fantastic setting blends science with magic. The Classic Shadowrun experience from the original creators.
Cons
Con Story is forgettable
The story in Frozen Synapse is generic sci-fi.
Con Nothing much new added to the gameplay from previous games
While the developers are not trying to stray from a working formula it would have been nice to see some new elements added tot the gameplay over just refinement.