As the long-awaited Cyberpunk 2077 finally hits the shelves, we understand that not everyone can immediately dive into the dystopian world of Night City. Whether you're waiting for the game to go on sale, or you've already explored every nook and cranny of it and are looking for more cyberpunk adventures, we've got you covered. We've compiled a list of the top 5 alternative games that will satiate your appetite for cyberpunk action, intriguing storylines, and futuristic settings. So, let's jack in and explore these digital dystopias!
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Welcome to the year 2029, where mechanically augmented humans have been deemed outcasts, living a life of complete and total segregation from the rest of society. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is the direct sequel to Deus Ex: Human Revolution and continues the story of Adam Jensen, an augmented human and covert operative.
Gameplay
Mankind Divided offers players a unique blend of first-person shooter, stealth, and RPG elements. As Jensen, players can choose to tackle missions using various approaches, such as stealth, hacking, diplomacy, or all-out combat. The game features a vast array of augmentations and upgrades, allowing players to customize their playstyle and character progression. The choices you make in the game have a significant impact on the story's outcome, making for a highly replayable experience.
Story and Setting
As tensions between augmented and non-augmented humans reach a boiling point, Jensen becomes embroiled in a global conspiracy that threatens the very fabric of society. Set in a detailed and immersive world, players will explore futuristic cityscapes, underground slums, and hidden corporate enclaves. Mankind Divided tackles themes of discrimination, power, and control, making for a thought-provoking and engaging story.
Observer
Developed by the team behind Layers of Fear, Observer is a psychological horror game that takes players on a dark and twisted journey through a dystopian cyberpunk world. As the title suggests, players assume the role of an observer, a neural detective with the ability to hack into people's minds and explore their memories and fears.
Gameplay
Observer is a first-person exploration game where players must navigate a dark and eerie apartment building, interrogating its residents and uncovering their secrets. The game combines detective work, puzzle-solving, and psychological horror elements. The observer's ability to hack into people's minds allows for a unique gameplay mechanic, where players must explore unsettling and surreal mental landscapes to piece together the story.
Story and Setting
Set in the year 2084, Observer takes place in a world ravaged by war, plague, and the rise of powerful mega-corporations. As Dan Lazarski, a neural detective known as an observer, players must investigate a series of brutal murders while also dealing with their own personal demons. Observer crafts a chilling and atmospheric narrative experience, exploring themes of technology, privacy, and the nature of reality.
Shadowrun: Dragonfall - Director's Cut
Based on the popular tabletop RPG, Shadowrun: Dragonfall - Director's Cut is a tactical turn-based RPG set in a cyberpunk world where magic and advanced technology coexist. Players control a team of shadowrunners, mercenaries for hire who operate in the shadows of a dystopian future.
Gameplay
Dragonfall features deep character customization, allowing players to choose their character's race, class, and abilities. The gameplay involves managing a team of shadow runners, each with their unique skills and abilities, as they embark on dangerous missions. The game's combat is turn-based and tactical, requiring players to think strategically and make use of cover and teamwork to overcome their foes. Dragonfall also features an intricate conversation system, with branching dialogue options that can affect the story's outcome.
Story and Setting
The game is set in the anarchic city of Berlin, 42 years after a massive dragon named Feuerschwinge was shot down by the German military. Players must assemble a team of shadowrunners to uncover the truth behind a mysterious new threat that has emerged in the city. Dragonfall weaves an engaging story filled with memorable characters, political intrigue, and the ever-present threat of powerful and dangerous forces at work.
RUINER
RUINER is a brutal action shooter set in a stylish cyberpunk world where players control a helmeted protagonist on a mission to save his kidnapped brother. Fast-paced and unforgiving, RUINER combines intense combat with a dark and atmospheric setting.
Gameplay
The gameplay in RUINER is centered around its visceral and challenging combat system. Players must make use of a variety of weapons, gadgets, and abilities to overcome waves of enemies and powerful bosses. The game features a deep upgrade system that allows players to customize their character's abilities, focusing on speed, power, or defense. RUINER's combat is intense, rewarding players who master its mechanics with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
Story and Setting
Set in the year 2091 in the city of Rengkok, RUINER tells the story of a helmeted hero searching for his kidnapped brother amidst a world of violence and corruption. The game's story is told through stylish cutscenes, environmental storytelling, and interactions with the city's inhabitants. RUINER's cyberpunk world is filled with neon lights, towering skyscrapers, and the oppressive presence of the powerful and mysterious corporation known as HEAVEN.
VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action is a unique take on the cyberpunk genre, focusing on the day-to-day life of a bartender in a dystopian world. Players mix drinks, listen to their customers' stories, and uncover the truth about the city they live in.
Gameplay
The gameplay in VA-11 HALL-A is centered around its bartending mechanics. Players must mix and serve drinks to their customers based on their preferences, using a variety of ingredients and techniques. The game features a branching narrative, with the drinks you serve influencing the conversations you have with your customers and the story's outcome. VA-11 HALL-A also features a deep and engaging character progression system, allowing players to develop their bartending skills and unlock new abilities and story paths.
Story and Setting
Set in Glitch City, a dystopian city, VA-11 HALL-A tells the story of Jill Stingray, a bartender at the eponymous VA-11 HALL-A bar. As Jill interacts with the bar's diverse clientele, she learns about their lives and the world they inhabit. The game explores themes of identity, loneliness, and the search for meaning in a world plagued by corporate control and technological advancements. VA-11 HALL-A's story is both heartwarming and thought-provoking, offering a refreshing and grounded perspective on the cyberpunk genre.
Bottom Line
Cyberpunk 2077 may be the most anticipated game in the genre, but it's not the only one worth your time. These alternative games each offer a unique and engaging experience within the cyberpunk universe, combining action, horror, strategy, and even bartending. So, if the neon lights of Night City are calling you, but you're not quite ready to answer, give these games a try and immerse yourself in the dark and gritty worlds they have to offer. Happy gaming, choombas!
Leave a comment
Your comment is awaiting moderation. We save your draft here
0 Comments