So the Shadowrun games are currently on sale, and I'm tempted to get one. I really enjoyed the new XCOM, and after watching some Let's Plays, due to their similarities, Shadowrun seems like my kind of game. From what I can tell, the consensus seems to be that Dragonfall is the better game. I was wondering why?

Can I skip the campaign of the base game, and still be okay to play Dragonfall?

Does Dragonfall have the same modding capability as Shadowrun: Returns?

What are the ups (and downs) of both games?

Should I still try out the base game?

Anything else I should know before making a purchase?

Thanks,
Nmorello11

The general opinion is that Dragonfall has the better story, with more options to go about the various quests, better written and more complete companions with lot of depth and personal quests. Dragonfall also has.. I think all of the equipment, spells and cyberware the original had, and then a lot of more.

But it has a bit rougher learning curve.
It's not harder as such, but there are no super easy "tutorial missions" to begin with, it's somewhat assumed you know how to play. And you will pick it up, just might take a few tries even with the first missions.

SR is set in Detroit, DF in Berlin, if that makes a difference.

Both are equally moddable, though most new mods require Dragonfall and many older ones need original SR.

Original game is also good, at the price they're on right now, I'd just grab them both.

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Oh yeah, a couple of same characters make a appearance in both, but storywise the games are totally separate. Totally fine to begin with either one.

I usually follow the release date, and they're really cheap now with the sale

If you're only going to get one, get the Dragonfall standalone for the superior UI and story. Truthfully, the only reason to buy the base game is to import the Deadman's Switch story into Dragonrfall (which while not as good as Dragonfall's, is still a decent campaign).

Only a matter of opinion, though. I really liked the original more (except the ending. Dragonfall's ending was vastly superior to the original's ending). I really liked that it didn't start too big, unlike Dragonfall.

I found Dead Man's Switch to be a really tedious, annoying and extremely boring experience. Like a terrible Max-Payne-2D-game set in a RPG-environment (you just shoot yourself through endless corridors without any real challenge). I also found the story to be very weak, illogical and badly written. There were practically no real side quests and the characters you've met were boring and one dimensional... I'd never ever recommend anyone to buy this game.

But what a revelation Dragonfall was for me! A story on par with Planescape and MotB in my opinion. Interesting and original characters and npcs with real depths, wonderfully designed side quests, a phenomenally written main story with many twists and an extremely fulfilling finale. I absolutely loved every single bit of Dragonfall, whereas I just try to forget Dead Man's Switch. Dragonfall is the real deal for me.

If you get Dragonfall, and really like it, then it might ruin Dead Man's Switch for you. DMS might seem simple and not as full-featured. So if you want to appreciate the games fully, you should start with the first and most primitive one.

Dragonfall is quite a bit better, but DMS is not bad. It's probably best to play them in order because you'll probably not want to play DMS after Dragonfall. DMS is worth one playthrough, it's a nice little intro into the Shadowrun world.

Probably Dragonfall is better than Hong Kong too.

The plot of Shadowrun Returns DMS is really bad IMO. It starts off with an intriguing premise, but degenerates into a B-movie SciFi story halfway through. Dragonfall is the best of the three, although I enjoyed Hong Kong as well.

I found the first part's story (Shadowrun Returns aka "dead man's switch") a better story than Dragonfall.
So, I'd like to advise you, just like every game series, to start with the first part

I remember DMS leaving me wanting more. I did end up doing multiple characters, but I'm on the side that Dragonfall is where this series really shines. DMS is harder to revisit after that. It's a bit the same for Hong Kong, though in some aspects Dragonfall is still superior. RPG-wise though I'd say HK is on par.

Not playing them in order would probably ruin the older titles for the cyberpunk in you. Not story or plot wise mind you, totally unrelated, but just in how the gameplay mechanics changes from one to the next feel like improvements. It'll feel like something has been taken away.

If you're more interested because of the combat and tactical challenge, then Hong Kong might be disappointing if you're not also a fan of the Shadowrun setting, or good story driven RPGs in general. I'd say that's still rings true. It's not some mundane yet very decent RPG session, or an interactive story with the occasional fisty cuffs, Dragonfall has it all.