As the gaming world continues to debate the merits and misgivings of the long-awaited Cyberpunk 2077, it's time to consider where the game ranks in the pantheon of all-time cyberpunk video games. Stripped down its essence, Cyberpunk is the fusion of "low life and high-tech," the retro-futuristic result of which can be found among innumerable video game examples.
While Cyberpunk 2077's overall narrative has been praised, the technical glitches have driven gamers mad, especially given how much time and money went into the making of the game. To see if it makes the all-time worst cyberpunk games, scroll below.
Heavy Metal: Geomatrix (2001)
Released by Sega and Capcom in 2001, Heavy Metal: Geomatrix is a 3D cyberpunk fighting game for Sega and Dreamcast that did not resonate among fans and critics alike.
Based on the Heavy Metal comics, the game features four large arenas that serve as battlegrounds for the main characters. Fighters are fused with hulking metallic technology as they fight in dark industrial settings. The game received a paltry 3/10 from Game Informer, a 3.4/10 from GameSpot, and a 4/10 from CVG.
James Cameron's Dark Angel (2002)
Save for Blade Runner, video game adaptations of popular cyberpunk movies and TV shows haven't been well received. One glaring example is James Cameron's Dark Angel, released on PS2 and Xbox in 2002.
With a D+ grade from GameRevolution, 3.8/10 rating from GameSpot, 4/10 rating from IGN, and 48/100 Metascore, the game was criticized across the board for its weak and repetitive gameplay, glitches, blindspots, poor story, and inferior stealth mode.
Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death (2004)
Another risible cyberpunk video game dismissed by almost everyone who played it was Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death, the ancillary tie-in with the 1995 Sylvester Stallone cyberpunk action flick.
The third game in the series, Dredd vs. Death is a first-person shooter that offers single and multiplayer modes as Dredd tries to conquer the evil corporation filled with vampires and violent ex-cons. The game earned a 3/10 from Eurogamer, 4/10 from Maxim, 2.5/5 from Nintendo Power, and 5/10 from IGN.
MindJack (2011)
Boasting a 3/10 Edge rating, 4/10 IGN mark, and a 43/100 Metascore, MindJack is a third-person shooter released on PS3 and Xbox 360 that did not strike a chord among cyberpunk enthusiasts.
The story follows Jim Corbijn, a special agent with the ability to hack into the minds of his AI foes. When Jim is dispatched to District 7 to investigate a shooting, he becomes involved in a government conspiracy called Project MindJack, which further endangers his life.
Rise Of The Robots (1994)
Released by Time Warner Interactive in 1994, Rise of the Robots began as a PC fighting game that made its way onto various video game consoles. Players assume the role of a cyborg called ECO35-2 and fights various cohorts en route to the final boss (The Supervisor) of the evil ElectroCorp.
With 2/5 ratings from AllGame and Next Generation, the game also received a 5% on Amiga Power and a weighted average of 4/10 from EGM.
Johnny Mnemonic (1995)
Another abysmal cinematic cyberpunk title translated to the gaming industry includes Johnny Mnemonic: The Interactive Action Movie. The movie drew such poor reviews that its designer, Propaganda Code, shut down after its release.
Based on the 1981 William Gibson vignette, the point-and-click game drew a 1/5 rating from Mac User, 2/5 from AllGame and CGW, and 3/10 from Edge. The game was panned for its poor gameplay and a lack of imagination, with Hardcore Gamer calling it one of Sony Imagesoft's worst titles.
Daikatana (2000)
While it fared a bit better for PC users, the N64 edition of the Japanese cyberpunk game Daikatana earned a lowly 42/100 Metascore. However, it also garnered 3.7/10 from GameSpot and 3.87/10 from EGM.
The story concerns Hiro Miyamoto, a swordsman in 2455 Japan who must find the cure to a global pandemic while rescuing a colleague's kidnapped daughter. The game was panned for its mediocre graphics, stodgy gameplay, and forgettable settings.
DreamWeb (1994)
Developed by Creative Reality in 1994, DreamWeb is a top-down point-and-click PC game featuring distinctive cyberpunk iconography. The story tracks a barkeep named Ryan living in a dystopic future metropolis who is cursed by the bizarre dreams of a force called DreamWeb and must defeat the seven evils that operate the program.
DreamWeb earned poor reviews upon release, including 1.5/5 star-reviews from Dragon and Adventure Gamers, as well as 2/5 stars from Adventure Classic Gaming.
Bomberman: Act Zero (2006)
With a 34/100 Metascore and 2/5 GamePro rating, Bomberman: Act Zero is one of the all-time worst cyberpunk games ever made. The standalone entry in the series was blasted by fans and critics for extended loading times, poor soundtrack, boring and repetitive gameplay, and uninteresting camera angles.
The game revolves around Bombermen, technologically-enhanced entities forced to do battle with one another underground and find their way to Earth's surface. If a player dies, they go back to the first of 99 levels.
Akira (1988)
Given its pedigree and overwhelming fanfare, the original Akira video game proved to be one of the biggest disappointments in the gaming industry up to that point. The game drew poor reviews across the board, including a paltry 17/40 grade by Famicom Tsushin.
Meant as a marketing tie-in with the film of the same name, Akira was too rudimentary to make much of an impact in the gaming world. Players assume the role of Kaneda, a motorcyclist out to clear his name following the military abduction of his friend, Tetsuo.