What Game Should I Play After Cyberpunk 2077? Recommendations And Alternatives

So, you've navigated the neon-drenched streets of Night City, faced the dangers of cyberware implants, and perhaps even achieved a satisfying ending (or two) in Cyberpunk 2077. The question now looms: What next? The gaming world is vast and varied, offering a plethora of experiences to fill the void left by CD Projekt Red's ambitious RPG. Finding the right game to follow up such an immersive experience can be daunting, but fear not! This guide is designed to help you discover your next virtual adventure, whether you're craving more dystopian futures, open-world exploration, or compelling narratives with memorable characters.

Understanding Your Cyberpunk Cravings

Before diving into specific recommendations, let's first dissect what aspects of Cyberpunk 2077 captivated you the most. Was it the gritty, immersive world brimming with detail and atmosphere? The intricate character customization options and the ability to forge your own path? The thrilling combat encounters, blending gunplay with cybernetic enhancements? Or perhaps the compelling narrative, exploring themes of transhumanism, corporate power, and the human condition? Identifying these core elements will help narrow down your search and ensure your next game hits the mark. For example, if the dystopian setting and intricate world-building were your main draws, you might gravitate towards games like Deus Ex: Mankind Divided or Shadowrun: Dragonfall. If the character customization and RPG mechanics were more appealing, then games like Fallout: New Vegas or The Outer Worlds might be a better fit. Or, if you were primarily hooked by the action-packed combat and cybernetic enhancements, titles like Ghostrunner or DOOM Eternal could provide the adrenaline rush you're seeking. Ultimately, understanding your personal preferences will lead you to a more satisfying post-Cyberpunk 2077 gaming experience.

Top Game Recommendations After Cyberpunk 2077

Now, let's explore some specific game recommendations, categorized by the elements they share with Cyberpunk 2077. This will help you easily find a game that aligns with your specific interests and preferences. We'll delve into the gameplay mechanics, narrative themes, and overall experience each game offers, providing you with a comprehensive overview to aid in your decision-making process.

1. For Dystopian Worlds and Cybernetic Enhancements

If Night City's gritty atmosphere and the allure of cyberware captivated you, these games offer similar dystopian futures and technological augmentations:

• Deus Ex: Mankind Divided: A cornerstone of the cyberpunk genre, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided builds upon its predecessors with a rich narrative exploring transhumanism, social inequality, and corporate conspiracies. Set in a near-future Prague, the game plunges you into a world grappling with the aftermath of a devastating incident involving augmented humans. As Adam Jensen, a cybernetically enhanced security operative, you'll navigate a complex web of political intrigue, uncover hidden agendas, and make choices that shape the fate of the world. The gameplay seamlessly blends stealth, action, and RPG elements, allowing you to tailor your approach to each situation. Jensen's augmentations offer a diverse range of abilities, from cloaking and superhuman strength to hacking and remote manipulation, empowering you to tackle challenges in creative and satisfying ways. The detailed world, compelling characters, and thought-provoking themes make Deus Ex: Mankind Divided a must-play for any fan of cyberpunk and dystopian fiction. The game's focus on player choice and consequence adds depth to the narrative, encouraging multiple playthroughs to explore different outcomes. Furthermore, the intricate level design and varied gameplay options provide a high degree of replayability, ensuring a lasting and engaging experience. If you appreciated the political intrigue and moral ambiguity of Cyberpunk 2077, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided will undoubtedly resonate with you.
• Shadowrun: Dragonfall - Director's Cut: A classic isometric RPG, Shadowrun: Dragonfall masterfully blends cyberpunk with fantasy elements, creating a unique and compelling world. Set in a reimagined Berlin, the game casts you as a shadowrunner, a mercenary operating in the fringes of society. You'll assemble a team of diverse characters, each with their own unique skills and backstories, and embark on a thrilling campaign filled with intrigue, betrayal, and powerful magic. The turn-based combat system is tactical and engaging, requiring careful planning and strategic use of your team's abilities. The deep character customization options allow you to create a shadowrunner that perfectly suits your playstyle, whether you prefer hacking, spellcasting, or brute force. The rich world, memorable characters, and captivating narrative make Shadowrun: Dragonfall a standout title in the cyberpunk genre. The game's isometric perspective provides a unique vantage point, allowing you to appreciate the intricate environments and tactical combat encounters. The story is well-written and engaging, drawing you into the lives and struggles of the characters. If you enjoyed the team-based aspects and gritty atmosphere of Cyberpunk 2077, Shadowrun: Dragonfall offers a similarly immersive and rewarding experience. The Director's Cut version includes enhanced features and content, making it the definitive way to experience this cyberpunk gem.

2. For Open-World Exploration and RPG Mechanics

If you loved exploring Night City's sprawling landscape and crafting your own character build, these open-world RPGs offer similar freedom and customization:

• Fallout: New Vegas: Often hailed as one of the best Fallout games, New Vegas delivers a sprawling open world, a compelling narrative, and deep RPG mechanics. Set in the post-apocalyptic Mojave Wasteland, the game puts you in the role of the Courier, a character left for dead after being robbed of a mysterious package. Your quest for revenge will lead you on a journey through treacherous landscapes, encounter with eccentric factions, and moral dilemmas that shape the fate of the Mojave. The character customization is extensive, allowing you to create a Courier that aligns with your playstyle, whether you prefer stealth, combat, or diplomacy. The branching narrative and multiple endings ensure high replayability, encouraging you to explore different choices and outcomes. The game's world is filled with memorable characters, intriguing locations, and engaging quests, making it a truly immersive and rewarding experience. Fallout: New Vegas excels in its world-building, crafting a believable and captivating post-apocalyptic setting. The factions are well-defined, each with their own ideologies and motivations, adding depth and complexity to the narrative. The RPG mechanics are deep and satisfying, allowing you to fine-tune your character's skills and abilities. If you enjoyed the open-world exploration and player agency in Cyberpunk 2077, Fallout: New Vegas offers a similarly engaging and immersive experience. The game's modding community is also incredibly active, providing a wealth of additional content and enhancements.
• The Outer Worlds: From the creators of Fallout: New Vegas, The Outer Worlds is a sci-fi RPG that blends humor, social commentary, and engaging gameplay. Set in the Halcyon colony, a corporate-controlled star system teetering on the brink of collapse, the game casts you as a colonist awakened from cryosleep decades later than intended. You'll embark on a journey to uncover the secrets of Halcyon, recruit companions, and make choices that determine the fate of the colony. The character customization is extensive, allowing you to tailor your skills and abilities to your playstyle. The branching narrative and multiple endings provide a high degree of player agency, ensuring a unique and personalized experience. The game's witty writing, memorable characters, and vibrant world make it a delightful and engaging adventure. The Outer Worlds offers a refreshing take on the sci-fi RPG genre, blending humor with thought-provoking themes. The game's companions are well-developed, each with their own backstories and motivations, adding depth to the narrative. The combat is satisfying and strategic, requiring you to utilize your skills and abilities effectively. If you enjoyed the narrative depth and character interactions in Cyberpunk 2077, The Outer Worlds offers a similarly compelling and rewarding experience. The game's shorter length compared to other open-world RPGs makes it a more accessible option for those with limited time.

3. For Thrilling Combat and Action-Packed Gameplay

If you were primarily drawn to Cyberpunk 2077's intense combat encounters and cybernetic abilities, these games offer similar adrenaline-pumping action:

• Ghostrunner: A fast-paced, first-person cyberpunk slasher, Ghostrunner delivers a visceral and challenging combat experience. Set in a dystopian megastructure, the game casts you as a cybernetic ninja tasked with overthrowing a tyrannical regime. With lightning-fast reflexes and deadly skills, you'll navigate treacherous environments, slice through enemies with your katana, and use your cybernetic abilities to overcome obstacles. The one-hit-kill mechanic adds a sense of urgency and precision to the combat, demanding careful planning and execution. The game's stylish visuals, pulsating soundtrack, and relentless pace create an adrenaline-fueled experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Ghostrunner is a masterclass in fast-paced action, delivering a fluid and satisfying combat system. The parkour elements add another layer of depth to the gameplay, allowing you to traverse the environments with speed and agility. The game's challenging difficulty requires patience and perseverance, but the sense of accomplishment after overcoming a difficult section is incredibly rewarding. If you enjoyed the fast-paced combat and cybernetic abilities in Cyberpunk 2077, Ghostrunner offers a similarly exhilarating experience. The game's cyberpunk aesthetic is visually striking, creating a dark and atmospheric world.
• DOOM Eternal: A visceral and brutal first-person shooter, DOOM Eternal delivers relentless action and satisfyingly gory combat. As the Doom Slayer, you'll wage war against the hordes of Hell, wielding a devastating arsenal of weapons and abilities. The game's fast-paced gameplay, aggressive combat mechanics, and heavy metal soundtrack create an adrenaline-pumping experience that will leave you breathless. The level design is intricate and challenging, encouraging exploration and strategic thinking. The game's focus on resource management and aggressive combat promotes a constant sense of forward momentum, ensuring a non-stop thrill ride. DOOM Eternal is a masterclass in first-person shooter design, delivering a perfectly balanced blend of action, exploration, and challenge. The game's combat is visceral and satisfying, rewarding aggressive playstyles and strategic use of resources. The level design is intricate and rewarding, encouraging exploration and experimentation. If you enjoyed the intense combat and satisfying weapon feel in Cyberpunk 2077, DOOM Eternal offers a similarly exhilarating and rewarding experience. The game's heavy metal soundtrack perfectly complements the fast-paced action, creating an immersive and adrenaline-fueled atmosphere.

Beyond the Obvious: Hidden Gems and Underrated Titles

While the games mentioned above are popular choices, there are also some hidden gems and underrated titles that deserve your attention. These games might not have the same level of mainstream recognition, but they offer unique and compelling experiences that fans of Cyberpunk 2077 might appreciate. Exploring these less-known titles can lead to exciting discoveries and broaden your gaming horizons.

• Observer: A psychological horror game set in a cyberpunk Poland, Observer plunges you into a dark and disturbing world filled with technological decay and societal unrest. As Daniel Lazarski, a neural detective, you'll hack into the minds of suspects to uncover clues and solve crimes. The game's atmosphere is thick with dread and paranoia, creating a truly unsettling and immersive experience. The narrative is complex and thought-provoking, exploring themes of transhumanism, addiction, and the human cost of technological progress. Observer is a masterclass in psychological horror, delivering a chilling and atmospheric experience. The game's unique gameplay mechanics, which involve hacking into the minds of suspects, create a sense of vulnerability and unease. The story is well-written and engaging, drawing you into the dark and twisted world. If you enjoyed the dark and gritty atmosphere of Cyberpunk 2077, Observer offers a similarly unsettling and thought-provoking experience. The game's focus on narrative and atmosphere makes it a standout title in the cyberpunk genre.
• Ruiner: A brutal and stylish twin-stick shooter, Ruiner delivers fast-paced action and a gritty cyberpunk aesthetic. Set in a dystopian city, the game casts you as a silent protagonist on a quest to rescue your brother from a corrupt corporation. With a wide array of weapons and abilities, you'll battle hordes of enemies in intense and challenging encounters. The game's isometric perspective and vibrant visuals create a unique and visually striking experience. Ruiner is a masterclass in twin-stick shooter design, delivering a fast-paced and challenging combat system. The game's cyberpunk aesthetic is visually striking, creating a dark and atmospheric world. The story is engaging and well-paced, drawing you into the protagonist's quest for revenge. If you enjoyed the action-packed combat and gritty atmosphere of Cyberpunk 2077, Ruiner offers a similarly exhilarating and rewarding experience. The game's challenging difficulty requires skill and precision, but the sense of accomplishment after overcoming a difficult encounter is incredibly satisfying.

Finding Your Next Gaming Obsession

Ultimately, the best game to play after Cyberpunk 2077 is the one that resonates with your individual preferences. By understanding what aspects of Cyberpunk 2077 captivated you the most, and exploring the recommendations outlined in this guide, you'll be well-equipped to find your next gaming obsession. Whether you crave more dystopian futures, open-world exploration, or adrenaline-pumping combat, the gaming world offers a vast and varied landscape of experiences waiting to be discovered. So, dive in, explore, and embark on your next virtual adventure!