Dystopian video games are games that depict a bleak and oppressive future where society has collapsed, freedom is lost, and violence is rampant. These games often challenge the players to survive, fight, and rebel against the forces that have created such a nightmare scenario. Dystopian video games can also offer a commentary on the current or potential issues that face humanity, such as totalitarianism, war, environmental degradation, and social injustice. In this article, you will learn more about the history, genres, themes, and examples of dystopian video games.

Dystopian Video Games: History

Dystopian video games have been around since the early days of gaming, inspired by the literary works of authors such as George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, and Ray Bradbury. Some of the earliest examples of dystopian video games are 1984’s Neuromancer, based on the cyberpunk novel by William Gibson, and 1985’s A Mind Forever Voyaging, which simulates a dystopian America in the year 2031. Since then, dystopian video games have evolved and diversified, incorporating elements from various genres, such as horror, action, adventure, role-playing, and strategy. Dystopian video games have also become more realistic and immersive, thanks to the advances in graphics, sound, and gameplay.

Genres

Dystopian video games can be classified into different genres depending on the style, the setting, and the mechanics of the games. Some of the most common genres of dystopian video games are:

Post-apocalyptic: These are games that take place after a cataclysmic event, such as a nuclear war, a zombie outbreak, or an alien invasion, that has destroyed most of civilization and left behind a wasteland full of dangers and mutants. Examples of post-apocalyptic games are Fallout, Metro, and The Last of Us.

Cyberpunk: These games take place in a futuristic world where technology has advanced, but society has decayed, and corporations and hackers rule the streets. Examples of cyberpunk games are Deus Ex, System Shock, and Cyberpunk 2077.

Steampunk: These are games that take place in an alternate history, where steam power and Victorian aesthetics dominate the world, and where rebels and inventors clash with the oppressive regime. Examples of steampunk games are Dishonored, Bioshock, and Thief.

Utopian: These games take place in a seemingly perfect world, where everything is harmonious and peaceful, but where there is a hidden dark side, such as a sinister conspiracy, a mind control system, or a dystopian reality. Examples of romantic games are Portal, We Happy Few, and The Stanley Parable.

Examples

Dystopian video games are very popular and diverse, and there are many examples of games that have created memorable and immersive dystopian worlds. Here are some of the best dystopian video games that you can play in 2024:

Horizon Forbidden West: This is a post-apocalyptic action-adventure game where you play as Aloy, a hunter who explores a world overrun by robotic creatures and corrupted by a mysterious plague. You have to use your skills, weapons, and allies to uncover the secrets of the past and save the future.

Watch Dogs: Legion: This is a cyberpunk action-adventure game where you play as a member of DedSec, a hacker group that fights against the authoritarian regime of London. You can recruit and play as anyone in the city and use your hacking, stealth, and combat skills to liberate the city from oppression.