Cyberpunk games offer stunning, futuristic settings that may not be enjoyable, but definitely worth exploring. The Cyberpunk genre emerged in the hyper-capitalist era of the 80s, with works like Blade Runner, Robocop, Akira, and Neuromancer, drawing inspiration from prophetic works dating back to the 60s. The genre’s hallmark is difficult to define, much like a chair or a sandwich, but its common themes include smog-filled dystopian cities, flying cars, wealth disparity, AI, and cybernetic enhancements, all contributing to the “high tech, low life” catchphrase that characterizes Cyberpunk fiction. Additionally, the genre’s biting social commentary highlights the similarities between these worlds and our own.
No further ado, let’s deep dive into the list of best cyberpunk games of all time.Â
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
For fans of Cyberpunk themes and motifs, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is a must-play game, despite being the middle entry in an unfinished trilogy. It’s a “semi-open world” game that offers layered choices and side quests, falling under the category of an “immersive-sim”: a first-person narrative that combines elements of stealth games and shooters to emphasize player-choice-driven problem-solving.Â
In the game, you play as Adam Jensen, a heavily cybernetically augmented security expert, navigating the streets of Prague on a mission to uncover the bio-terrorists and shadowy organizations stirring tensions between augmented and non-augmented people.Â
The game features a well-realized world, complete with vents to sneak through, suspects to interrogate, and optional activities to explore. The first game in the rebooted series, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, is also worth playing, with more impactful choices and dialogue, and more expansive systems than those found in Mankind Divided. The OG series was groundbreaking in how your choices affected the storyline in novel, interesting, and unexpected ways. However, the original Deus Ex is showing its age these days, and the newer games have simplified the choice mechanics.
The Ascent
The Ascent, a twin-stick shooter with a high camera angle, stands out as one of the best cyberpunk games of all time with its intricately designed and brilliantly illuminated cityscape that draws inspiration from Ridley Scott’s sci-fi and other legendary films. The gameplay is a thrilling, gory experience that fully embraces the ultra-violent nature of the genre. Surprisingly, The Ascent also offers a profound RPG experience despite being developed by a small team of just 12 members, featuring multiple playstyles, weaponry, and stats to manage, customize, and perfect.
GhostRunner
Ghostrunner is an adrenaline-fueled game that revolves around stylish and refined action, combining acrobatic aerial maneuvers and parkour tricks to slice through expansive levels that will make your head spin. As you advance in power, the platforming becomes increasingly intricate and diverse, featuring grapples, wall-running, and more bullet-time than the entire Matrix quadrilogy.
Unlike many cyberpunk games that demand significant reading and imagination, Ghostrunner is a first-person thrill-ride created with Unreal Engine, making it more accessible and visually impressive than other games on this list.
Stray
Stray, also known as “the cat game,” offers a fresh take on traditional cyberpunk themes such as dystopian societies, artificial intelligence, and robotics. This game is not only one of the most touching stories of the year, but also an engrossing and sophisticated platformer, seamlessly blending adorable and smart elements into an unforgettable journey.
Citizen Sleeper
As a fugitive android, you’re constantly evading bounty hunters and navigating life on a sketchy space station filled with corrupt officials, gangsters, and crooks. However, the discovery of your “real” body stored light years away begs the question – what truly defines your identity? Citizen Sleeper offers a unique gaming experience, blending tabletop RPG mechanics with a serene soundtrack and thoughtful atmosphere that immerses you in its rich narrative. Plus, it’s available on Xbox Game Pass!
That’s all for the best cyberpunk games of all time list. Do you have any other recommendations? Let us know in the comments.Â
