Getting frusterated with SR4 rules..., and I really want to like them Options

[masterofm]

Ok so I have been playing SR4 for quite a while now and at every single twist and turn our group is routinely bickering on how rules can be applied to certain settings, and why RAW chooses to have things work one way but not the other (which then can kinda break the game.) At our table we have come up with house rule after house rule to try and jury rig the system to our liking. The problem is that when we look back on it we remember that what we are referencing is not in fact RAW, but a house rule that we had created a long time ago to make things smoother. Everything then becomes about trying to make the game work, and creating some sort of balance that allows us to work with the existing system. We don't view it as a workable system on its own however, and this is kind of a problem.

My group has really just reached that apex where we realized that to try to make this game work there is still much more time, effort, arguments, and nit picking then is really worth it at this point. I'm sorry I really want to love the system. I really really do, but I find it extremely annoying at the same time in some in game situations almost unplayable. Combat is slow and rickety, the matrix to us is one big headache, the magic system (spell casting, summoning, spirits, some traditions, spells) can just be stupidly over powered, and there are so many problems not nailed down that when you really take a long hard critical look at the set of SR4 books one wonders if it couldn't use a lot of tightening with less open ended rules. The universe is awesome, and my group and I love the fluff, however we have to consider using the same universe but with a different rule set since SR4 is giving us such a hard time.

In the end we have come to answer these questions:

Does the game have an interesting story setting? Yes.
Does the game have good clear cut rules that make sure things are clearly defined? No.
Does the game have a good balance system? No (and it has been commented by the devs themselves.)

I personally feel like when you would really love to have a rule nailed down that it is left up to the GMs discretion and vice versa (not all the time, but enough that it can be a little annoying.)

Since the first answer is such an emphatic yes it almost makes up for the rest of the failing graces that the system holds, yet I think our group with a sad groan must finish out our story arc and then find someone way to fit our characters into a different system, because like an abusive relationship we have had enough and must move on.

Sorry SR4, but we have had enough of this emotional roller coaster ride and have to get off now and the shame of it is we really don't want it to end.