Immersive Cyberpunk Adventures: Top 5 Ghostrunner Alternative Games

Ghostrunner, with its cyberpunk setting and adrenaline-pumping action, captured many gamers' hearts in 2020. The game demands speed, precision, and a good dose of strategy from the players. Its enticing world, marked by neon signs, dirty alleyways, and powerful mega-corporations, is what cyberpunk fans live for. But where do you turn if you've already conquered Ghostrunner and are yearning for more? Don't worry — we have you covered. Here are the top five alternative games that deliver epic storylines, nail-biting challenges, and unforgettable characters — right in Ghostrunner's alley.

1. Katana ZERO

Intro to Katana ZERO

Diving into Katana ZERO feels like plunging into an acid trip in a cyberpunk future. This neo-noir action platformer, with its fast-paced, one-hit-defeat system, is a favorite among fans of quick-reaction games.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting of Katana ZERO

Katana ZERO makes its mark with a unique gameplay structure that highly values strategy. If you thought Ghostrunner was fast, just wait until you see this. Each level is a series of short, sharp challenges, where any hit is lethal. The protagonist, a katana-wielding assassin suffering from a drug addiction, has a time-manipulation ability. This mechanic adds another layer to the gameplay, giving players the chance to review and adjust their strategies. The narrative of Katana ZERO, akin to a pulpy, hard-boiled detective story laced with hallucinations, keeps players glued to the game. You crawl your way up through the ranks of the criminal world in an unnamed dystopian metropolis, slicing enemies along the way and engaging with numerous intriguing characters.

2. RUINER

Intro to RUINER

RUINER is a brutal, action-packed top-down shooter with an immersive cyberpunk aesthetic that fans of Ghostrunner will instantly appreciate.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting of RUINER

RUINER's gameplay revolves around defeating enemies in fast-paced combat. An amalgam of melee and ranged weapons is at your disposal, but your ability to dash and dodge adds an additional strategic depth to the game. The game takes place in Rengkok in 2091, a city where a megacorporation called HEAVEN controls everything. You play as a helmeted hero on a quest to rescue his kidnapped brother from the oppressive conglomerate. The story gradually unfolds through stunning comic-style cutscenes, giving players a break from the relentless action now and then.

3. Hyper Light Drifter

Intro to Hyper Light Drifter

Hyper Light Drifter is an action-adventure game resembling the style of a 16-bit classic, immersed in a vibrant, post-apocalyptic setting.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting of Hyper Light Drifter

The game relies on fast-paced, skill-based combat where you, the Drifter, use an energy sword and other ancient technologies to fend off creatures. Puzzles and hidden areas encourage thorough exploration. Although it not being a full-fledged cyberpunk game, Hyper Light Drifter has a similar feel in its post-apocalyptic world. The Drifter is plagued by an illness and must travel through the lands seeking a cure. The game's story is mainly told through the environment and cryptic symbols, allowing players to piece together the narrative, making it a mystically engaging experience.

4. Transistor

Intro to Transistor

Transistor introduces players to a hauntingly beautiful computerized city filled with secrets and sentient weapons.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting of Transistor

Blending real-time action with strategic planning, Transistor's combat system is notably in-depth. You wield a powerful weapon of unknown origin, which allows you to plan your moves strategically. This Pause function sets the game apart from traditional hack-and-slash action. Transistor is set in the city of Cloudbank, where you play as Red, a singer who's lost her voice. As the city is attacked by a robotic force called The Process, you set out to fight them and uncover the city's secrets. The story beautifully unfolds through the narration delivered by the Transistor, making the game's progression genuinely captivating.

5. Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Intro to Deus Ex: Human Revolution

This game is an enticing blend of a first-person shooter, role-playing, and stealth set in a dystopian future, taking the cyberpunk world to a whole new level.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting of Deus Ex: Human Revolution

The gameplay is incredibly detailed, letting players decide their approach to complete missions; you can go in guns blazing or sneak around unseen. It features an elaborate augmentation system that lets you enhance protagonist Adam Jensen's abilities. The story revolves around Adam Jensen, the security head of a biotechnology company that is leading the way in human augmentations. After a violent attack leaves him critically injured, he is augmented against his will. You navigate a world teetering on the brink of chaos as society grapples with the ethical dilemmas of transhumanism.

Each of these five games, in their unique way, resonates with the energy and vibe resonated by Ghostrunner. Dive into cyberpunk mysteries, run neon-dripped alleyways, and confront all-powerful corporations with these incredible alternatives.