Playing as a regular human, or even a superhuman, is always fun, but there is an undeniable appeal to when video games allow the player to take control of a cyborg. Whether it is a human who has been cybernetically augmented or a synthetic being that closely resembles a human, it instantly catches gamers' attention.
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Over the years, games have featured cyborgs as playable characters in all kinds of stories. From epic dramas to action spectacles, these games feature cyborgs as heroes, villains, and even in-between, with enhanced strength, high-tech weapons, and in some cases, thought-provoking concepts that showcase cyborgs as more than machines.
7 Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Wacky Hack-And-Slash Spin-Off
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
- Released
- February 19, 2013
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Platinum Games
- Genre(s)
- Action
Foregoing all the stealth and thought-provoking storytelling of the Metal Gear Solid games, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is the series' spin-off starring Raiden. He's been rebuilt into a super-powered cyborg with super speed and unstoppable blades, and he's going on an over-the-top adventure.
The thing that has turned Metal Gear Rising into a cult classic was also what made the game divisive upon its release. It's just Raiden hacking and slashing enemies for several hours, encountering silly villains and engaging in fast-paced battles that feel straight out of an anime in the best way possible. It's very much not Metal Gear Solid, but that's not a bad thing.
6 Terminator: Resistance
A Faithful Terminator Experience
Terminator: Resistance
- Released
- November 14, 2019
- ESRB
- M // Blood, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Teyon
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Depicting the Future War, Terminator: Resistance stands out from the many Terminator games out there for being extremely faithful to the original film while still providing an exciting game to play through. The main campaign focuses on a lone resistance fighter, but developer Teyon later added a second campaign that allowed players to take control of a Terminator in a direct prequel to the first movie.
It's not often that games allow players to control the main villain, but Terminator: Resistance pulled it off. With the signature red scanning mode and seemingly unlimited strength, the Infiltrator Mode campaign is pure power fantasy as the Terminator mows down legions of humans to complete its objective.
5 Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
Neon-Lit Shooter Inspired By 80s Movies
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon
What was originally a DLC for Far Cry 3 became so famous that Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon was eventually sold as its own game and was given an anime adaptation by Netflix. It is an over-the-top first-person shooter that pays homage to classic 80s action films, including The Terminator. The main character, Rex, is even played by Terminator alumni Michael Biehn, and is a cybernetic warrior.
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon is short but sweet, providing an adrenaline-fueled campaign that can be beaten in just a few quick hours. However, it never loses its fun factor thanks to its breakneck pace, neon visuals, and tongue-in-cheek storytelling. Told via NES-style cutscenes.
4 RoboCop: Rogue City
The Nearest Thing To A RoboCop 4
RoboCop: Rogue City
- Released
- November 2, 2023
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Teyon
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- FPS, Sci-Fi
From Teyon, the same developers as Terminator: Resistance, RoboCop: Rogue City brings another classic 80s franchise to life and, this time, provides a direct sequel to the movies, with Peter Weller returning to the titular role. The gameplay of RoboCop himself looks, sounds, and feels authentic to the movies, from Weller's performance to the character controlling like an unstoppable tank.
In RoboCop: Rogue City, the player goes through a retro-futuristic version of Detroit, solving crimes, doing detective work, and gunning down over-the-top gangsters controlling the streets. The entire time, it feels like a real RoboCop 4, thanks to the sound effects, the satire on society, and the tight gameplay that is an authentic first-person take on RoboCop.
3 Detroit: Become Human
Deciding The Destinies Of Droids
Detroit: Become Human
- Released
- May 25, 2018
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Quantic Dream
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Inspired by Blade Runner and Aliens, the androids in Detroit: Become Human are so close to humans that they evolve to have emotions and desires. This results in some of them becoming killers while others simply seek to rise up in revolt against their human overlords to become recognized as a race of sentient beings.
With three cybernetic protagonists to play across three interconnected storylines, Detroit: Become Human had been praised for featuring hundreds of branching paths with player choices that truly matter. Also, the game features powerful storytelling and acting that feels like a high-budget movie or television series, keeping the player on edge from beginning to end.
2 Cyberpunk 2077
From Flop To Epic RPG Crime Saga
Cyberpunk 2077
- Released
- December 10, 2020
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
Living the life of a criminal in video game form is fun already, but living as a cybernetically augmented criminal in Cyberpunk 2077 is on a whole other level. While it had one of the more infamous launches, CD Projekt Red stuck to their guns and fixed Cyberpunk 2077 via various patches and a DLC expansion that transformed it into a different game.
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In its current state, Cyberpunk 2077 provides a stand-out RPG experience in the world of Night City that tells many stories ranging from the outlandish to the realistic. It immerses the player through addictive gameplay and a world that feels alive, with the presence of action-stars like Keanu Reeves and Idris Elba being the greatest bonuses.
1 Deus Ex: Human Revolution
A Reboot Better Than The Original
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
- Released
- August 23, 2011
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Drug Reference, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Eidos Montreal
- Platform(s)
- PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U, PC
- Genre(s)
- FPS
Mixing action and stealth for the player to choose between on nearly every mission, Deus Ex: Human Revolution is the often-praised reboot of the Deus Ex franchise. Adam Jensen is often considered one of the best video game protagonists ever and, of course, he is a hero who is physically more machine than man.
Seeing how Deus Ex: Human Revolution is all about a cyborg detective in a dystopian future version of Detroit, the game is inspired by the RoboCop movies but takes a far darker and more serious tone. Adam Jensen is given plenty of cybernetic upgrades that turn him into a cyborg superhero, embroiling him in a story of crime, espionage, and conspiracy that continues on with an equally good sequel.
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