Summary
From the cyberpunk-fantasyworld ofShadowrunto the wildly popular streets ofCyberpunk 2077’sNight City, the sub-genre of cyberpunk is broad and varied. Cybernetic augmentations, and sometimes biometric augments, are a core aspect of many cyberpunk settings, and they can be a great source of unique gameplay mechanics.
Modifying a character’s body is often a thematic implementation of progression in cyberpunk games. These augmentations often provide players with unique abilities and passive bonuses, allowing players to feel a sense of progression while immersing themselves in the world. The following titles demonstrate how effective that can be while playing through a story in this genre.
Developed bythe prolific Klei Entertainment, the very same studio behind indie game staples such asDon’t StarveandOxygen Not Included,Invisible, Inc.is a slick turn-based tactics game that focuses on stealth gameplay. The game also features a glossy cyberpunk theme packed with corporate espionage, a theme that fits perfectly with the game’s stealth and hacking mechanics.
In keeping with its stylish cyberpunk theme,Invisible, Inc.features a variety of augments that players can equip their characters with. These augments range from a Subdermal Cloak that can render a character invisible, to Chameleon Movement, which grants a character extra action points whenever they become cloaked.
The trilogy ofShadowrunRPGs are all based on the tabletop RPG of the same name.Shadowrun: Hong Kong, like its siblings, is a turn-based role-playing game set in a cyberpunk worldwith fantasy elements. The game features a variety of painterly environments despite its dark setting, and the combination of cyberpunk and fantasy offers a unique atmosphere.
Cybernetic augmentations, or “cyberware,” aren’t useful for every character’s build, as acquiring new cyberware reduces a character’s Essence. This is particularly bad for magic users, as losing Essence increases the cooldown of spells and reduces spell slots. However, making use of powerful cyberware remains a valid strategy throughout the game.
The Ascentis a top-downtwin-stick shooterand an action-RPG that takes place in a gritty cyberpunk setting. The stylish graphics, detailed world, and old-school run-and-gun gameplay make for a tremendous combination, offering a fast-paced and immersive action experience.
As with all RPGs,The Ascentgives players access to a progression system that allows them to improve their character over the course of the game. One of the ways in which players can improve themselves is by acquiring cybernetic and biometric augments, such as “Tentakill,” which causes robotic tentacles to spring from the ground and attack nearby enemies.
This brutalist assault on the eyes is a vivid and creative, albeit nauseating, first-person shooter with fast, frenetic action gameplay. The game puts players inthe role of a mercenaryhunting down targets in a variety of locations in a gameplay loop not dissimilar toHitman. Its experimental visual style keeps with the game’s dark, violent themes, but it’s likely the first thing to push potential players away.
Cruelty Squadis a relatively simple game, leaning on itsimmersive-sim level designand structure, as well as the sense of curiosity it instills in its players. However, it does feature an array of augmentations that players can acquire, many of which change the way that levels can be played.
Deus Exis a household name among video game fans, especially for fans of the somewhat niche immersive-sim genre. Although it’s an iconic title, it can be hard for newcomers to get into.Deus Ex: Human Revolution, on the other hand, is a remarkably accessible immersive-sim that offers a diverse combination of stealth and action.
Deus Ex: Human Revolutionfeatures a fairly standard skill-tree themed around cybernetic augmentations, in keeping with the game’s cyberpunk theme. The variety of augmentations allows players to do everything from disabling fall damage with the Icarus Landing System, to becoming immune to flash grenades with the Flash Suppressant.
Despite an infamously rough launch,Cyberpunk 2077has managed to pull itself up and develop into a sprawling open-world RPG.Cyberpunk 2077excels with its compelling narrative and evocative cyberpunk setting: the densely populated Night City. There’s plenty to explore inCyberpunk.As players progress, they will not only encounter cybernetically-augmented characters, but be able to grow stronger with their own augments.
The cyberware that players can accumulate isn’t cheap, and players will have to gather a great deal of wealth to acquire some of the more expensive items. These augments can be tremendously powerful, encouraging players to make their character less and less human, something that mirrors classic cyberpunk themes.
This classic rogue-like RPG features traditional turn-based combat that relies on efficient resource management and the careful use of powerful abilities. Players explorea sci-fi fantasyopen-world that comprises hand-crafted and procedural content alike. The game features minimalist graphics, but this is more than made up for by its overwhelming sense of imagination and creative world.
Caves Of Qudfeatures two core types of character. Mutants are created by selecting a variety of mutations, giving players access to unique powers. Meanwhile, the True Kin are able to augment themselves with cybernetic implants. However, unlike Mutants, True Kin must scour the world for more cybernetics throughout the game if they wish to gain access to more powers.
