Summary
- The blend of cyberpunk and real-time strategy gaming results in unique and immersive gameplay experiences that combine high-tech themes with fast-paced decision-making.
- Cyberpunk-themed RTS games often feature visual styles centered around cybernetic modifications, virtual realities, rogue AI, and dystopian societies, requiring players to carefully manage resources and adapt strategies on the go.
- The combination of the complexity of the RTS genre and the thematic power of cyberpunk creates intense and challenging gameplay, providing a distinctive and imaginative gaming experience for players to enjoy.
The blend of cyberpunk and real-time strategy gaming is a unique and rare subgenre. Combining futuristic, high-tech themes and stylings with fast-paced, tactics-focused decision-making, the hybrid has led to some fascinating results in the gaming medium.
More often than not, such games sport visual styles deeply rooted in cybernetic modifications, virtual realities, rogue AI systems, and dystopian societies. Along the way, players must often carefully manage their resources, explore treacherous areas, and take on the demanding challenge of adjusting their strategies on the go. The complexity of the real-time strategy genre enhances intensity and difficulty, as opponents evolve and fresh dynamics make their way to the surface, helping to create an unpredictable and immersive form of gameplay. Overall, melding the rich thematic power of cyberpunk with the hard-hitting action of RTS has led to several games managing to provide a distinctive and imaginative gaming experience for players to enjoy.
5 Ghostrunner Is A Tough But Thrilling Gaming Experience
Ghostrunner
- Released
- October 27, 2020
- Developer(s)
- One More Level, Slipgate Ironworks
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, Switch
- Genre(s)
- Action
Every moment of action in 2020's Ghostrunner is of the utmost intensity thanks to one simple rule: it only takes one shot to get killed. Players take control of the Ghostrunner, a cyborg skilled in parkour with technology that can help him slow down time.
This mysterious plot introduces players to a world rocked by a global disaster known only as The Burst. The catastrophe has caused what's left of humanity to reside within the enormous Dharma Tower. The narrative revolves around themes of memory, dystopia, and freedom, as players dangerously run, jump and shoot their way through a litany of high-stakes set pieces. The game's thrilling, bullet-dodging action is of key appeal here, providing players with rapid-fire, unpredictable gameplay to sprint through. The high difficulty and damage levels ensure players must think smart and rely on the player character's speed and stealth to get the job done, providing a suspenseful, cerebral gaming experience.
4 Ruiner Is An Action-Packed Cyberpunk Thriller
Ruiner
RUINER is a brutal action shooter set in the year 2091 in the cyber metropolis Rengkok. A wired psychopath lashes out against a corrupt system to uncover the truth and retrieve his kidnapped brother under the guidance of a secretive hacker friend. Combine preternatural reflexes, augmented tools, and the arsenal of fallen foes to tear down and dismantle the corporate titans of virtuality dealers at HEAVEN.
Sophisticated & Brutal Combat: RUINER features lightning fast combat that requires a delicate balance of overwhelming, brute force, and elegant strikes to overcome all manner of savage opponents. Blast through crowds or slow down time and hand select your points of attack before unleashing a storm of violence on the battlefield.
Cyberpunk Inspired Arsenal: Equip all manner of high-tech firearms and melee weapons to ruin all that oppose you. Employ state of the art gadgets like energy shield, dash augmentations, and the switch gun stun or hack the opposition onto your side of the fight.
Story-Driven Action: Violent confrontation is a means to an end and trust is a devalued currency in Rengkok as you navigate a senseless world with the help of a mysterious hacker friend.
Exceptional Soundtrack: Explore and battle to the intense beats of Sidewalks & Skeletons, Zamilska, Antigone & Francois X, DJ Alina and famed anime composer Susumu Hirasawa (Paprika, Millennium Actress).
This all-action twin-stick game raised plenty of eyebrows upon its initial September 2017 release thanks to an impressive blend of '80s cyberpunk esthetics and isometric shooter action. Reikon Games' acclaimed effort takes players to Rengkok, a high-tech city overridden with crime and corruption.
Players take control of a silent figure nicknamed Puppy who is tasked with taking out the mysterious head figure in the city. Needless to say, nothing goes according to plan in this thrilling adventure through retro sci-fi vibes. Dealing with powerful crooks, hackers, and cyborgs, the increasingly heady plot makes plenty of room for no-nonsense shoot 'em up action as players blitz their way through all manner of threats. Between its remarkable visuals and on-point gameplay, this horrific look at the world in 2091 is a must-play for cyberpunk lovers out there.
3 Shadowrun: Dragonfall Is A Smorgasbord Of Different Genres And Ideas
This 2014 entry in the Shadowrun series began life as a DLC for its predecessor, Shadowrun Returns, before fan acclaim led to it being fully fleshed out into a new installment. The game stands out thanks to its unique blend of cyberpunk and fantasy elements.
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Dragonfall's rich narrative takes players to a futuristic Berlin where, playing as a Shadowrunner, they get caught up in dangerous hijinks involving everything from cyborgs and computer hacking to monstrous dragon attacks. It's a wild blend of vastly different tropes and entities that makes for a thrilling, fantastical gaming experience. The game's litany of tactical combat situations showcases an impressive blend of turn-based and real-time concepts, serving almost as a real-time update of the more traditional turn-based strategy line of gaming. Overall, this unconventional cult classic has a little bit of something for everyone.
2 Observer Locks Players Into A Bizarre, Futuristic Mystery
Observer
- Released
- August 15, 2017
- Developer(s)
- Bloober Team
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
This underrated horror gem takes gamers to 2084 Kraków, Poland, where the threats of the digital world have left the city under corporate rule. Detective Daniel Lazarski, played by The Hitcher and Blade Runner star Rutger Hauer, soon finds himself locked into a seedy, increasingly complicated mystery in the area.
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Largely emphasizing suspense and grim thematic material for maximum scares and suspense, Observer's RTS elements can be found in its action. Lazarski must utilize stealth and careful planning when dealing with enemies. On top of butting heads with potentially deadly foes, Lazarski is also a master hacker, and players must frequently hack into the cyber-enhanced brains of any suspects he encounters. While the game's heady plot and grim atmosphere garnered a mixed response at the time of its August 2017 release, Observer stands out as an original piece of gaming, blending elements of horror, cyberpunk, and RTS action for a truly original, hyper-stylized gaming experience.
1 Cyber Shadow Brings Ninja Action Into The Future
This retro 2021 release throws players into a side-scrolling, stealth-focused adventure highlighting a cybernetic ninja. Set in the dystopian ruins of a futuristic city, the game's cyberpunk influences can be found all over its plot and characters.
Cyber Shadow picked up a slew of positive reviews for its responsive control scheme and precise platforming mechanics. Its fast-paced action adds further to ensuring this old-school, nostalgic gaming experience feels authentic to the old guard whilst still maintaining adequate excitement for younger, more modern players. Developed by Finland's Mechanical Head Studios, the game was one of many examples of why 2021 was such an exciting year for indie gaming. Overall, for fans of both cyberpunk and real-time strategy, this ninjas vs. Machines romp is a fun, colorful fit.