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In this post, we will check out the top 10 best Cyberpunk games of all time.

Cyberpunk as a genre is all about the future, technology, and dystopia. It’s a subculture that has been popularized in recent years, with the release of the much-anticipated game, Cyberpunk 2077.

But long before that, cyberpunk games have been around for decades, with some of them being hailed as classics. These games have pushed the limits of what is possible in terms of storytelling, world-building, and gameplay, creating immersive and unforgettable experiences for players.

In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 best cyberpunk games of all time. From the neon-soaked streets of Night City to the desolate wastelands of post-apocalyptic America, these games have taken us on thrilling journeys through futuristic worlds.

They have challenged us to think about the consequences of advanced technology and the role it plays in society. They have also showcased some of the most creative and unique settings and characters in gaming history.

So let’s dive into the world of cyberpunk and explore the top 10 games that have defined the genre.

Top 10 Best Cyberpunk Games Of All Time

10. Syndicate

Syndicate is a 1993 cyberpunk/sci-fi shooter game developed by Bullfrog Productions and released by Electronic Arts.

 It is the first title in the Syndicate series. The game consists of a string of missions, in which the player heads a team of cybernetically modified agents endeavoring to take control of a particular country.

The game was critically praised upon release. An elaboration pack, Syndicate: American Revolt, a sequel, Syndicate Wars, and a reboot of Syndicate have also been released.

The original game and expansion pack were re-released together in 1996 as Syndicate Plus.

In this game the player has to control a squad of four cyborgs and sent them into various competitors’ bases to loot their resources, seize their personnel, and cause all kinds of mayhem in order to dominate more corporations and take over more territory.

9. Shadowrun Returns

Shadowrun Returns is a cyberpunk role-playing game developed by Harebrained Schemes and released in 2013.

The game was crowd funded through Kickstarter and released for Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS, and Android in 2013.

In 2015, Harebrained Schemes tossed another Kickstarter campaign to partially fund their next game, Shadowrun: Hong Kong.

 A remastered collection game which includes Shadowrun Returns, Shadowrun Dragonfall: Director’s Cut, and Shadowrun: Hong Kong, is released on Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on June 21, 2022.

This game is still one of the best Cyberpunk games and rated number 9 in our list of the top 10 best cyberpunk games of all time.

8. Observer

The Observer is a cyberpunk horror game that uses first-person shooter and stealth gameplay mechanics.

It’s set in a dystopian future with many nods to Blade Runner, particularly in the visual style of its environments.

The player character is Dan Lazarski, a detective whose job involves hacking into people’s memories (a process called “digitalization”) using technology that’s implanted in his brain.

It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in August 2017, followed by versions for Linux, macOS, and Nintendo Switch.

The game is developed using Unreal Engine 4. Observer welcomed generally favorable reviews.

Critics hailed the world design, visual effects, and hacking sequences but criticized the stealth and its emphasis on style over substance. The observer is number 8 in our list of the top 10 best cyberpunk games of all time.

7. Invisible, Inc.

Invisible, Inc is a turn-based tactics video game developed and published by Klei Entertainment. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, OS X, and Linux in 2015.

The player takes control of agents who are part of an espionage operation working to stop multinational corporations, and directs agents in covert missions, acquiring resources and support in order to enable relocation of the agency’s computer system to a safe haven within a limited amount of time.

Each level consists of multiple objectives that need to be completed before an extraction point becomes available; failure to complete these tasks within the allotted amount of time will result in mission failure.

A PlayStation 4 version was released on April 19, 2016, while a version for iOS devices was released on October 6. Invisible is number 7 on our list of the top 10 best cyberpunk games of all time.

6.  Transistor

A Transistor is a cyberpunk action role-playing video game developed and published by Supergiant Games.

It was released for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation 4 in May 2014, with later ports to OS X, Linux, PlayStation 3, and Xbox One.

The player controls Red as she tries to discover the fate of her singer-songwriter husband, who has been murdered by a mysterious group called the Process.

Transistor’s mystifying storytelling and its tactical battle system are equally fascinating.

In the game, you have to use powers called functions in the battle to conquer a robot army controlled by corrupt city officials known as Camerata.

Transistor sold over one million copies across all platforms by December 2015. The game is number 6 in our list of the top 10 best cyberpunk games of all time.

5.  Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon

Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon is a first-person shooter video game developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii U.

It is a standalone expansion to Far Cry 3 and the eighth overall installment in the Far Cry franchise.

The story is set in an open-world environment and played from a first-person perspective; players assume control of cyborg Sergeant Rex “Power” Colt.

The gameplay is largely identical to Far Cry 3. The game acquired generally positive reviews upon release and was glorified for its gameplay and soundtrack.

The game was a huge success for Ubisoft, as it sold 1 million copies by August 2013. Far Cry 3 is number 5 in our list of the top 10 best cyberpunk games of all time.

4. System Shock 2

System Shock 2 is a 1999 first-person shooter video game developed by Irrational Games and published by Origin Systems.

System Shock 2 is a first-person shooter with role-playing elements. Its Initially intended to be a standalone title, but its story was modified during production into a sequel to the 1994 game System Shock.

The player takes the role of a soldier trying to stop the attack of a genetic infection that has destroyed the ship.

The player can acquire skills and traits, such as hacking and psionic abilities. It has been incorporated into several “greatest games of all time” lists.

3. Shadowrun

Shadowrun is a role-playing video game developed by FASA Corporation and released in 1989.

It blends genres of cyberpunk, urban fantasy, and crime, with rare elements of conspiracy, horror, and detective fiction.

Shadowrun follows the experience of calm guy amnesiac Jake Armitage as he tries to regain his memory after a clumsy assassination attempt.

It’s hard to renounce that the game is just impressive and effective. Shadowrun has remained among the most famous role-playing games. 

You can play Shadowrun Returns if you want an updated version however we believe that the first game is still special.

2. Snatcher

Next up on our list is Snatcher, a cyberpunk video game developed and published by Konami.

Snatcher is set in a future East Asian metropolis where humanoid robots dubbed “Snatchers” have been found killing humans and substituting them in society. 

The gameplay alternates between first-person action sequences where snatchers attack you and third-person conversations with other characters within the game world.

The story is heavily impacted by science fiction films, like Blade Runner, Akira, and The Terminator.

It garnered a fans following and was remade as a role-playing game called SD Snatcher for the MSX2 in 1990.

Snatcher has been retrospectively lauded as both one of the best adventure and cyberpunk games of all time.

1. Deus Ex

Deus Ex is a 2000-action role-playing game created by Ion Storm and published by Eidos Interactive.

The game is one of the most influential games of all time and it’s very difficult to beat for any future developers.

Deus Ex left a massive mark on games in general with its creations in character and immersive systems.

Deus Ex feeds more twisting than anyone could ask for in an enormously delightful package.

The game follows JC Denton, an agent of the fictional agency United Nations Anti-Terrorist Coalition (UNATCO), who has been equipped with superhuman abilities by nanotechnology, as he sets out to fight hostile forces in a world destroyed by inequality and a lethal plague. 

The game is powered by the Unreal Engine and was released for Microsoft Windows in June 2000, with a Mac OS port following the next month. 

The game received a vital distinction, including being named “Best PC Game of All Time” in PC Gamer’s “Top 100 PC Games” in 2011.

Deus Ex is regarded as one of the best video games of all time. It has sold more than 1 million copies, as of April 23, 2009. Deus Ex tops the list of the top 10 best cyberpunk games of all time.

Conclusion

So, now that we’ve looked at our top ten list of cyberpunk games, what do you think? Did your favorite make the cut? If so, which one and why? If not then let us know what did. We’d love to hear from all of our readers!