The Best Cyberpunk Adventure Games

As lovers of cyberpunk, there is nothing quite like immersing ourselves in a virtual world filled with technological advances and futuristic vibes. We live for hair-raising chases through neon-lit streets, battling rogue AIs, and hacking into systems. That's why we have put together a list of the best cyberpunk adventure games that can give you that extra dose of adrenaline.

1. Deus Ex

Deus Ex, developed by Ion Storm and published by Eidos Interactive, turns 20 years old this year, but it remains one of the genre-defining cyberpunk games. Released back in June 2000 for PC, the game puts you in the shoes of Adam Jensen, a security officer who gets involved in a terrorist attack at Sarif Industries.

The game offers a unique blend of RPG and FPS elements with meaningful choices and multiple endings, fostering player agency. Deus Ex features augmented humans, a plot of conspiracies and world domination, globetrotting to Hong Kong, Detroit, and more. The dystopian future is ever-present in the game, like the Human Revolution, based on the ambitious idea of transhumanism.

2. Remember Me

Developed by Dontnod Entertainment and published by Capcom, Remember Me takes place in the year 2084, where you take the role of Nilin, a memory hunter in a future where memories are digitized and shared. The game features a cyberpunk twist on the theme of identity and memory as a commodity.

Remember Me's strong suit is in its combat system, built around unique combos based on your enemy's memories. Also, the game's gorgeous aesthetic offers a stunning take on the future of Paris, where the game takes place. Unfortunately, the game's story is where Remember Me stumbled, but the innovative combat mechanics and fantastic world-building more than make up for it.

3. Cyberpunk 2077

Arguably the most anticipated game of the decade, Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world RPG brought to us by CD Projekt RED. The game features the legendary Keanu Reeves as Johnny Silverhand.

Cyberpunk 2077 is set in Night City, where mega-corporations rule the streets, and everyone has a chip on their shoulder. This game is every bit as big and revolutionary as we hoped it would be, with branching narratives, complex dialogue trees, and endless customizations. Its ambition and big ideas make it hard not to get excited about Cyberpunk 2077.

4. Blade Runner

Considered one of the all-time classics in terms of cyberpunk adventures, Blade Runner was released in 1997 by Westwood Studios, based on the movie of the same name. In the game, you play as Ray McCoy, a detective tasked with hunting down rogue replicants in a world dominated by corporations.

Blade Runner's story is faithful to the movie and even features voice acting by Harrison Ford. The game features open-ended gameplay with puzzles based on your decisions and even has different endings based on those choices. Blade Runner is a must-play for anyone who loves the movies, cyberpunk or detective games.

5. Dex

Dex is a 2D side-scrolling RPG developed by Dreadlocks Ltd, set in a future city controlled by corporations. You play as Dex, a freelancer hacker, and skilled fighter.

Dex's gameplay elements include exploration, platforming, and moral decision-making about the citizenry's fate, along with immersive dialogue choices that affect the story's direction. The game's combat system is customizable with skills, augmentations, and a variety of weapons. Dex is a celebration of the best of cyberpunk, featuring urban decay, secret societies, and hacking lasers.

6. Observer

From Bloober Team, the creators of Layers of Fear, comes Observer, a first-person sci-fi horror game set in a dystopian future in 2084 Poland. You play as a neural detective who can hack the minds of the deceased and soon find yourself investigating the death of someone close to you.

Observer emphasizes the themes of corporate control, augmented humanity, and people's impoverished and degrading lives in the game's dark and atmospheric setting. The game's mechanics include environmental puzzles and hacking into the minds of NPCs to solve twisted and bizarre cases. The game's ability to keep you on edge, coupled with its rich storytelling, will keep you playing till the game's end.

7. VA-11 Hall-A

Developed by Venezuelan studio Sukeban Games, VA-11 Hall-A is a visual novel that takes place in the neon-scorched and cyber-tastic world of Glitch City in the year 207X, where you play as Jill, a bartender at VA-11 Hall-A.

The game features an anthropomorphic cast of characters, each with their backstory and quirky dialogue. The game's driving-force is mixing cocktails and pouring drinks to patrons. In between serving drinks, you'll listen in on your patron's conversations, which helps build the game's world and the characters within it. VA-11 Hall-A feels like an anime come to life.

8. Ruiner

From Reikon Games comes Ruiner, a brutal shooter set in the year 2091 where you play as an anonymous hacker, known simply as "Puppy," who tries to take on the corrupt society of Rengkok City.

At its core, Ruiner's gameplay features a mix of twin-stick shooting, RPG progression, and quick reaction times. However, the game's shining feature is its vibrant, brutal, and stylish neon-tinged world. It's filled to the brim with cyberpunk dystopia, underground societies, and mega-corporations. Ruiner also features an excellent musical score that further immerses players in the world of Rengkok City.

9. Shadowrun Returns

First released in 2013, Shadowrun Returns is a tactical turn-based RPG set in a dystopian future city of Seattle. You play as a shadowrunner, a type of mercenary, in a world of magic, cyber-technology, and corporate politics.

The game was created as a Kickstarter project to revive the classic tabletop RPG and reimagined the cult classic SNES and Sega game of the same name. Shadowrun Returns features a deep and immersive story with engaging tactical combat. The game's open-world gameplay and its replayability make it a great addition to this list of best cyberpunk adventure games.

10. Transistor

From Supergiant Games comes Transistor, a sci-fi action RPG set in a beautiful haunting cyberpunk city where you play as Red, a singer who's been thrust into a future where she is wanted by some powerful beings.

The game features real-time combat blurred with turn-based aspects, giving players a mix of strategic and fast-paced gameplay. Transistor features beautiful art design and an incredible score by composer Darren Korb, together creating a melancholic experience with a beautiful cyberpunk backdrop.

Conclusion

Cyberpunk is a genre that has stood the test of time regarding its relevance and scope. With themes ranging from identity to artificial intelligence, the genre has something for everyone. The games on this list are some of the best representations of cyberpunk in gaming, offering exciting stories, immersive combat, and vivid worlds.

Whether it's traversing the streets of Night City or playing bartender in VA-11 Hall-A, these games make us feel as if we are living in a world of high technology and low lives. For fans of the genre, these games should make it onto any must-play list.

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