Dystopia, a subgenre of fiction, has become a popular form of video games, exploring dark and oppressive fictional societies. These games are often rooted in societies in decline, with themes such as dehumanization, total control, and social inequality. Players are often challenged to make difficult decisions and moral choices.
In this quick read, we’ll highlight 10 of the best dystopian video games from the last decade.
1. Wolfenstein: The New Order
Technically, Wolfenstein: The New Order was released in 2009. However, the backstory to Wolfenstein makes it deserving of a spot here, with the New Order standing a cut above the rest of the games in the Wolfenstein series.
Imagine a world where the Nazis won World War II. Wolfenstein: New Order throws players into such an alternate reality where the Nazis dominate the globe. You take on the protagonist role of BJ Blazcowicz in a first-person shooter role. The game packs all sorts of drama including space travel, demonology, alternate timelines, violent political resistance, and portrayals of people whose lives have been ravaged by war around them.
2. Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 is one of those games that you need to take some time off your busy schedule to play. If you are a college student exhausted from writing academic papers, you can hire a reliable essay writing service to help free up some time for you to play this awesome game.
In Cyberpunk 2077, players navigate the metropolis of Night City as “V”, a mercenary whose skin can be modified. You can also customize your character’s cyberware, skillset, and playstyle. The open world of Night City is a metropolis where corporations wield immense power. This RPG is mind-blowing, and every decision you make has a deep impact on your trail.
Cyberpunk 2077 delves into themes such as the consequences of unchecked technological advancement and societal stratification.
3. Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Deus Ex: Human Revolution is an RPG that allows players to use augmentations to solve problems through combat, stealth, or hacking. Augmentations are mechanical implants that can enhance human abilities such as strength speed, and perception. These augmentations have become popular, but some people believe they pose a danger to humanity.
You’ll enjoy the immersive world, complex characters and the tense plot that relies heavily on the player’s decisions.
4. Mirror’s Edge
Mirror’s Edge is a 2008 FPS action-adventure game that sees you play as Faith Connor, a runner who parkours the dystopian city of Glass where the government controls every aspect of people’s lives. As Connor, you use your skills as a runner to deliver messages to the city’s underground resistance.
The game’s dystopian setting of the city of Glass is a fascinating place, with its clean streets and beautiful buildings. However, beneath the surface lies a dystopian reality of citizen tracking, media control, and ruthless suppression of protests. The gameplay here is challenging yet rewarding, as players are forced to think creatively to solve problems.
5. Despot’s Game
Despot’s Game released in 2022 is a turn-based roguelike tactics game published for Microsoft Windows, PS4, and Xbox One. This dystopian army-building game forces you to build an army to take on a malevolent robot AI known as the “Despot”. The game is unique unlike others on this list as it tends towards the plainer pixel-art style.
Despot’s Game incorporates elements of fantasy and humor. As the chosen one, players must navigate dungeon tunnels and face challenges to save the world. you can buy items for your army including swords, crossbows, and even coffins. With its dark humor and refreshing storyline, the game offers a great alternative and take to the dystopian genre.
6. Beholder
Beholder is a 2016 adventure video game inspired by the dystopian writings of authors such as Aldous Huxley and George Orwell. You play the role of Carl, an apartment landlord who covertly works for the state to spy on tenants. You must bug your tenants’ apartments, search their belongings, profile them, and report anyone in violation of the law.
The game offers oral complexities, as you can choose to comply with the government directives, or empathize with your tenants and risk it all yourself.
7. Devil May Cry
Devil May Cry is a 2001 video game released by Capcom. It takes on a unique approach by portraying a world where demons use the media to control humanity. The focus is on Dante, a half-human, half-demon spawn of a demonic father and human mother.
The game primarily uses challenging hack-and-slash game mechanics and different puzzles. You’ll encounter combat, combos, puzzles, enemies, bosses, graphics and so much more. If you’re sensitive to video content, be advised that the game contains violence, gore, crude humor, and mild language.
8. Final Fantasy VII Remake
The Final Fantasy VII remake is another game that should be on your to-do list. If you’re too busy with essays and assignments to play this game, order “do my paper” help from trusted experts online.
Final Fantasy VII is a visually enhanced remake of the popular 1997 PS1 game Final Fantasy VII, released for PlayStation 4 in 2020. The game is set in the dystopian cyberpunk metropolis of Midgar where the Shinra Energy Corporation has depleted the planet’s essential resources. You play as Cloud Strife, a former soldier who came to Midgar looking for absolution.
In this game, you’ll encounter themes such as injustice, class inequality, and the consequences of unchecked resource consumption.
9. We Happy Few
We Happy Few is a rogue-like survival game developed by Compulsion Games and released in 2018 for Windows, PS4, and Xbox One. The game is set in Wellington Wells, where residents are forced to take a drug called Joy to suppress their negative emotions. The game explores total control over citizens, censorship of news, and the struggle of the protagonist to unveil the harsh reality masked by the drug-induced illusion.
The thought-provoking story explores the consequences of blind obedience, addiction, societal facades, and the struggle to maintain individuality in a dystopian world.
10. Remember Me
Remember Me is an action-adventure game published by Capcom and released in 2013 for PS3, Windows, and Xbox 360. The game’s protagonist is Nilin, a memory hunter working for an underground resistance called the Errorists. Trying to piece together her past because of an erased memory, Nilin uses her special ability to alter people’s memories to fight against the Sensen Corporation.
Remember Me explores a seemingly utopian world where people willingly trade personal freedom for safety and advanced technology. The game has fast-paced combat, a variety of weapons and combos, cleverly designed puzzles, and stunning visuals.
Conclusion
There you have it; some of the best dystopian games of the last two decades. These games explore dark and complex narratives, compelling players to engage with thought-provoking themes. Games like Wolfenstein: The New Order and We Happy Few provide captivating perspectives of dystopia based on potentially real-world events and scenarios.
Whether you are looking for a dystopian title with immersive storytelling, political narratives and intrigues, or questionable societal ethics and choices, this list has every dystopian title that you need.
