[Written By External Partner]
Cyberpunk 2077 just released and has taken over online media although CD Projekt Red is still ironing out the many technical kinks, to say the least. Players can look elsewhere if they’re still undecided on playing Cyberpunk 2077 in its current version.
They could turn to playing eSports or betting them using sites like canadasportsbetting.ca as a guide. Or they could turn to several games with cyberpunk themes or futuristic settings.
Play these games if you’re inspired by the Cyberpunk 2077 theme
There are a heap of cyberpunk-inspired games or something similar to pass the time. We didn’t restrict the list to just cyberpunk games, but also considered other games which have gameplay or story elements that cyberpunk fans may enjoy.
It was tough narrowing down the list to just four. Some games that just missed the cut include Cloudpunk (2020), Watch Dogs 2 (2016), and the Bioshock franchise.
“Deus Ex London” by Eidos Montreal is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (2016)
Developer: Eidos Montreal
Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1
The Deus Ex franchise has been a long-running cyberpunk-themed series that combines the best elements of first-person shooter, RPG’s, and stealth action with futuristic themes.
The fourth and latest entry, a direct sequel to the 2011 game Deus Ex: Human Revolution depicts the world in 2029. Society is divided between regular humans and those with advanced artificial enhancements dubbed “augmentations”.
The protagonist, Adam Jensen, is an enhanced human himself and is a double agent working for the hacker group Juggernaut Collective. Jensen must use his skills to uncover a plot by the Illuminati, the big bad organization running the show.
Like Cyberpunk 2077, themes featuring transhumanism and conspiracy theories are a central part of the game. With dazzling graphics, polished gameplay, and a gripping narrative, Mankind Divided is one of the best cyberpunk games you can play today.
VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
Developer: Sukeban Games
Platforms: PC, PS4 Switch
VA-11 HALL-A can be described as an “indie bartender simulation video game with visual novel elements” but it’s a genre of its own. Originally developed for the 2014 Cyberpunk Game Jam, the developers liked the concept so much they turned it into a full game.
Players are a bartender at the VA-11 Hall-A (Valhalla) where decisions are made not by traditional choices but by the drinks prepared. Get to know all the colourful and eccentric clients that come through Valhall, find their tastes, and make them a drink that will alter their destinies.
The game has received mixed reviews but there is no other game like this around. With anime-inspired retro visuals, experimental yet compelling storytelling, and all the bells and whistles of a cyberpunk world, this one can’t be missed.
The icing on the cake is its affordable price tag ($14.99 in the US PlayStation store).
Observer
Developer: Bloober Team
Platforms: PC, PS4, XB1, Switch, PS5, XBox Series X/S
The only selling point you need for cyberpunk fans here is that you control Blade Runner legend Rutger Hauer as the Observer’s protagonist.
Known as a psychological thriller, Observer tasks players in helping detective Daniel Lazarski uncover a mystery behind Chiron, a megacorporation that has taken over Poland.
The game is played in first-person and Lazarski, an Observer, can hack into people’s minds as an augmented human. Out of the games here, Observer arguably has the most gripping storyline and also has challenging puzzles and a healthy dose of scares.
It won several accolades including the Best Emotional Indie Game at the Emotional Games Awards 2018. Cyberpunk fans who love the more cerebral and horrifying aspects of the world should dig into this.
Detroit: Become Human (2018)
Developer: Quantic Dream
Platforms: PC, PS4
Although not cyberpunk-themed, Detroit: Become Human’s story-driven game and futuristic setting may still resonate with cyberpunk fans.
Set in a futuristic Detroit, players take the role of three androids: Kara, Markus, and Connor, the former two who develop sentience and the last who is tasked with hunting them and similar androids.
The interweaving stories make players confront difficult choices that lead to 85 different endings and hundreds of divergent paths. Players must grapple with concepts of humanity, freedom, and social justice as they relate with sentient machines. Although Detroit: Become Human can falter with its iffy motion controls and occasional melodrama, the strong performances from the voice actors, beautiful visuals, and impactful choices make this a must-play game.
