Shadowrun brings into focus the darker self-interests of society and manifests them very stylishly in a very distinctive universe. The Mega Corporations are what existing capitalists would like to become, if they thought the state wasn't as much of a power to reckoned with as they'd like it to be. The meta-humanity is a very inventive variation of the current diversity of races on Earth and the fragmentation of mankind very similar to the Wild West.

The book is well written. Everything is nicely introduced and all the players are imaginatively designed. As an RPG, Shadowrun laid the foundation for others. Its background material inspired others to to as well as them, not to mention lead to the creation of video games and novels. This is a purchase you should make if you want to know how to narrate your own stories in science fictional contexts. It was a ground breaker, which brings familiar elements to bear, but reinvents them in very creative and original ways.