The Cyberpunk genre! There is something really attractive about it. The combination of advanced tech and low life, the shiny neon lights and foggy pollution, the bright future and the feeling of despair… That controversy is making all of us excited about any world set in this particular inevitable near future hanging above us like the sword of Damocles.
We are all holding our breaths waiting for perhaps the most anticipated title in recent gaming history. And no, it’s not Half-Life 3. The game we are losing our minds waiting for is Cyberpunk 2077. The Polish guys from CD Projekt Red announced the game back in 2012 and after several delays of its release, Night City will be opening its gates on November 19 this year (hopefully). But hey, why would anyone describe a game like this? Well, we already know – that this game is going to be the Holy Bible of the Cyberpunk religion.
The genre has been around for quite some time and there are some arguably brilliant entries – still holding their own and can unquestionably satisfy your hunger for dystopian worlds while waiting for Cyberpunk 2077. Let none of the games on this list be lost in time, like tears in the rain. Time to play!
Mirrors Edge:
Ever wanted to be a part of the jump program from the Matrix? Mirror’s Edge gives you the chance to do so. You will be doing a lot of free-running across skyscraper rooftops during a blindingly sunny day in a utopian city free of crime. The world in Mirror’s Edge is anything but peaceful and comfortable. The City of Glass is under a totalitarian military regime and you are the one to step up.
Mirror’s Edge features one of the most complete platforming systems of all time. Emphasizing the complexity of movements, the game reaches so far that you must solve ‘maneuver puzzles’ by picking a specific order of movement actions. You will also be able to take advantage of Reaction Time, a powered state that allows you to see attacks and sequences in slow motion, much like bullet time in certain games.
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
The Observer:
Can you imagine a parallel universe where Rick Deckard is not the detective, but Roy Batty? This psychological-horror is giving you exactly that, but the place is not the world of Blade Runner, instead a dystopian Kraków. But even so, The Observer is more than heavily borrowing from Ridley Scott’s 1982 sci-fi masterpiece. You are literally in the movie.
As you take the role of a detective from the Observers unit, you will have to hack people’s brains in order to interrogate them and usе augmented vision to scan the environment for evidence. The journey through the dark gritty rainy streets of the dystopian Krakow isn’t the only direction, you are also hauntingly venturing through people’s minds and memories.
The inspiration was taken straight out of the cult cyberpunk classic. The fact that the game asks the right questions about reality and the convincing atmosphere staying true to the genre’s canons makes the game a must-play for any fan. Did we mention that a Polish studio is making it? Gotta love those guys!
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Classic Mac OS
Deus Ex: Human Revolution & Deus Ex: Mankind Divided:
Deus Ex: Invisible War were a huge breakthrough that were ahead of their time and are still worthy of a try. Then after about 10 years without any new installment in the franchise, Deus Ex came back with a vengeance. Human Revolution was a blast and became an instant classic for its generation and Mankind Divided stayed true to the series’ legacy.
Both games are equally complex and polished titles and are as cyberpunky as it gets. What you are getting is deep augmentations, Metal-Geary stealth elements, a phenomenally crafted satisfying world, and much more.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution – Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided – Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, Microsoft Windows, Classic Mac OS
System Shock 2:
Alright, Cyberpunk 2077 might become the holy bible of the genre but what we have here is the old testament. This more than 20 years old title has set the foundations for the genre and is probably more valuable than any other cyberpunk game in this way of thinking.
We know what you are thinking, “Cyberpunk! Did they just say that this archaic game is more important than the rest of the games on this list?” Well, to tell you the truth, with so many masterpieces, we kinda lost track ourselves. But being a 1998 classic and one of the most recognized cyberpunk games of all time that would blow your head clean off, you’ve got to ask yourself one question – Why haven’t I played it yet? (if you really didn’t of course).
With System Shock 2 you will be having one of the most terrifying sci-fi horror experiences. You will be fighting a genetic infection on a starship in open space, just to find yourself facing an evil and highly intelligent AI. You will have to defend yourself with firearm blasts, hacking, and psionic abilities. Oh, in other news, a redux version of System Shock 1 is peeking around the corner and might be released later in 2020.
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Dreamcast, macOS, DOS
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon:
Having the spirit of a VHS-only 80s action flick with David Hasselhoff, this Far Cry 3 stand-alone expansion was miraculously good. Despite being pretty much a parody of popular games, movies, and cartoons this is a game with immense worth that was masterfully executed.
You are in the shoes of a cybernetic super-soldier in a bright neon analog scene packed with “the running dead”, flashing dragons, cyber-marines directing their lasers at you, and much more accompanied by retro synth-wave tracks. Before you try out this fun mess of a game, you might want to top up on your PSN Gift Cards for good luck!
When we are examining cyberpunk games we are usually focusing on the convincing and scientific side of things. Far Cry 3 Blood Dragon is miles apart from that. Get ready to have loads of fun here, without really being rational.
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
Final Fantasy VII Remake:
Why would anybody remake a game that is already perfect? You pretty much risk ruining its whole legacy. And here we are talking about one of the most beloved PlayStation titles of all time. After a neverending prolonged development, this remake ultimately came out in April, and oh boy, it did not fail to deliver at all. Being one of the only FF titles that is a hundred percent cyberpunk at its core, we always wanted to revisit Midgar. Final Fantasy VII – The king of JRPGs is back!
JRPGs are usually not associated with the cyberpunk genre and there is a high chance you have never gotten your hands on this game. Whether you played the 1997 original or not, you are going to be enthralled by the true-to-original atmosphere, impeccable new graphics, the fresh new combat system and one of the most remarkable stories ever told in a game. Seize your bastard sword, we have a one-winged angel to slay!
Platforms: PlayStation 4
We recognize that you are looking to fill the gap until Cyberpunk 2077 comes out, with something similar to it – just to maybe warm up or to get a better understanding of the genre. But don’t think that any of the games above are subpar to whatever CD Projekt Red’s new game is. Cyberpunk games are yielding us with a vision of what the looming future might look like. Each such game is a version of what is forthcoming and you will never know which one you belong to until you encounter it.
What is the most important thing in a cyberpunk game? Which game or franchise can actually challenge Cyberpunk 2077? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below.
