DystopiaVideo Games

Action 16 November 2004

A sequel to the Valve Software's best-selling game that set new standards for the FPS genre back in 1998. Half-Life 2 is set several years after the events of the first game. Once again, the player assumes the role of Gordon Freeman – a doctor of physics who used to work in Black Mesa Labs, where an unfortunate incident opened a portal for alien life forms to invade the Earth. This time, the story takes us into a fictional City 17 and its immediate vicinity. The protagonist now works for a secret government organization. His mission is to repel the invaders from another dimension, in which he is aided by Alyx Vance – a young women fighting as a part of human resistance. The sequel introduces a technological revolution, employing the Valve’s proprietary game engine called Source. Its main advantage is excellent physics simulation, letting players destroy almost any element of environment and use various objects as covers or even weapons.

Strategy 05 February 2016

A turn-based tactical strategy game set in a futuristic, science fiction universe and a sequel to XCOM: Enemy Unknown (2012). Both games were produced by the experienced developer, studio Firaxis Games, founded by Sid Meier, a legend of the video game industry. The story is set 20 years after the events of the last game. Despite their heroic efforts, human forces proved themselves helpless against the alien invaders, and the Blue Planet fell into their hands. However, the remnants of the XCOM organization are still active in the underground, and pick up guerilla tactics against the enemy in order to reclaim the planet. Gameplay mechanics reprises the solutions known from the previous game, featuring both the strategic layer – where you manage your mobile base and develop new technologies – and tactical, turn-based combat. The game features randomly generated maps, as well as improved combat and command system.

Action 26 March 2013

First person perspective action game released as a spin-off to the BioShock series. This title was produced by Irrational Games with publishing support from the 2K Games company. BioShock Infinite is set in an alternative version of the early 20th century. The main hero, private detective Booker DeWitt, arrives to Columbia, a city floating in the sky, where he needs to locate and rescue a woman named Elizabeth. Turns out she is extremely valuable to two factions competing for control over the city. While playing, you can make use of various fire arms and special powers (e.g. summoning ravens or using telekinesis). The game’s uniquely atmospheric visuals are generated by a modified version of Unreal Engine 3.

Action 2020

The third installment of the popular series of third-person action games with an open world, in which we play the role of a hacker fighting against the Central Operating System (ctOS) that is invigilating the citizens. As in the previous installments of the cycle, our basic tool is a smartphone, with the help of which we can take control over vehicles, elements of urban infrastructure, communication devices and digital safety systems.

Action 21 August 2007

BioShock is a combination of an action game, first person shooter, cRPG, and survival horror created by Irrational Games (developers of System Shock 2, SWAT 4, and other titles). The story takes you into the submerged city of Rapture, where the main protagonis, named Jack, arrives after having survived a plane crash. This ruined metropolis hides many dark and deadly secrets. In terms of gameplay, BioShock combines the elements of a dynamic FPS and cRPG. In combat you can use several types of conventional weapons as well as so-called plasmids that give you supernatural powers. Moral choices you make in the game influence how the events unfold. The game features very atmospheric audiovisuals, with graphics powered by the popular Unreal Engine 2.5.

Action 09 February 2010

A sequel to 2007's action game BioShock. BioShock 2 was developed by 2K Marin, with the support of Digital Extremes, 2K China, Arkane Studios and Darkside Game Studios. The story is set in the underwater metropolis known as Rapture in year 1968 (eight years after the events of the original game). The player assumes the role of Subject Delta - a Big Daddy prototype. The protagonist has to find the his Little Sister. The administrator of Rapture by the name of Sofia Lamb is trying to prevent it at all cost. The game remains faithful to the original gameplay formula combining FPS elements with certain RPG mechanics. Contrary to the original game though, BioShock 2 offers also a multiplayer experience in the form of seven competition-oriented game modes.

Arcade 29 June 2016

Inside is the second project of the independent Danish studio PlayDead, which became famous by creating the cult game Limbo. The game's development was partially funded by a grant from the Danish government. The story tells about a young boy who must stop the forces of evil that are trying to take over the world by experimenting on humans. The gameplay mechanics are similar to classic platformer games. They combine the necessity to solve various puzzles with tasks requiring reflexes and good manual skills. The game takes place in a dark universe where the rain never ceases to fall. The visuals of the game are similar to the ones used in the previous bestselling game developed by PlayDead studio. However, this time the world is three-dimensional. The colors in the game are toned down and the music is atmospheric. The game was created by using the popular, multi-platform Unity engine.

Action 11 November 2008

An unorthodox action game developed by studio EA DICE. The game combines the dynamic of typical first-person perspective shooters with platform game elements. The story of the game takes place in the future, in a large metropolis where every citizen is being watched “for his own good” by a totalitarian government. Among the people who don’t want to be controlled there are the so-called “runners” who mastered the art of parkour that allows them to quickly and effectively move through the concrete jungle. The player assumes the role of a female courier named Faith who is trying to protect the good name of her sister framed into murder. The gameplay consists of series of missions during which Faith uses her skills to move through the roofs and buildings while avoiding guards. In case of confrontation one can eliminate the opponent with fists or by using gunfire taken from the guard.

Action 07 June 2016

A continuation of the 2008’s bestselling action game by EA DICE that combined incredibly dynamic gameplay with parkour elements. The story is set in a quasi-totalitarian world of the near future, where powerful corporations replaced governments. The players assume the role of Faith, a courier who, having mastered the art of moving through the urban jungle, through her determination can become the eponymous catalyst of change. Compared to the first installment in the series, the game is not strictly divided into missions (we get to decide the job order and our approach), and the action takes place in an open-world environment that can be freely traversed. Firearms were also dropped, and although direct confrontations with the guards chasing us are unavoidable, our only weapons are wits and the skills that we gradually develop with our progress.

Action 17 July 2018

A shooter presenting a dystopian vision of the future, in which the modification of the human genotype led to a global catastrophe. In Gene Rain, the player takes control of the heroes trying to restore the old order before the world meets its final annihilation.

Adventure 04 December 2018

An adventure game that takes players to a totalitarian country and allows them to become a ministry official, who gradually climbs the career ladder by eliminating potential opponents, to eventually become the prime minister.

Action 13 September 2016

A special bundle that includes the revamped editions of three installments in the bestselling BioShock series, designed by 2K Games company for the eighth generation consoles. Each game in the trilogy, which is often described as the spiritual successor to the cult System Shock, is set in different settings and features different main characters. What binds all the stories together is their unique dystopian atmosphere with a surreal vibe, and skillful combination of FPS mechanics with elements of RPG. In comparison with the original releases, The BioShock Collection offers enhanced visuals, featuring 1080p resolution and fluent 60 fps animation. Besides, the games boast enhanced textures and visual effects, as well as improved loading times. Interestingly, the bundle contains not only the games themselves, but also all their DLCs, which were originally sold separately.

Action 10 August 2018

An unordinary action-adventure game which uses the style and tune of the 60s. The title was created by an independent studio Compulsion Games known for creating Contrast, a title that used similar style. In the game, the player travels to a fictional town in which, due to indoctrination and a wonderful drug, the citizens are constantly happy and all traits of dissatisfaction are immediately eliminated. The protagonist is one of the defiant citizens who are resistant to the system. In order to survive in the surrounding world, he must observe it thoroughly and understand its rules. The action is shown from first-person perspective and the gameplay is focused on exploration, and gathering various items and using them. While doing it, players must behave according to the social norms so that other citizens don’t become suspicious. The world of the game was characteristically exaggerated, but the game tells about many very important topics.

Adventure 09 November 2016

Beholder is an indie adventure game, inspired by the works of George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, and Ray Bradbury. The game takes place in a dystopian world, where the lives of its citizens are fully controlled by the regime, and privacy and freedom of speech are relics of the past. The players take on the role of the manager of an apartment complex. His job is to - under the guise of care - surveil and report any signs of opposition against the government. The game's plot is non-linear - the ending, and the fate of many characters, depend on the player's choices. In Beholder, the players must observe and eavesdrop on the apartment complex's residents, and - when they are gone - search their apartments. When the investigation is complete, a proper report must be submitted, alongside collected evidence. Then, the players can see the consequences of their actions, like a suspect being arrested. Beholder features gloomy 2D graphics which, together with the music, fit in quite well with the game's grim vibe.

Action 16 September 2016

A remastered edition of a popular FPS with RPG elements, originally released in 2007 on PC and Xbox 360; the PlayStation 3 version came out a year later. In case of the PC version, BioShock Remastered is available as a stand-alone product, but the game is part of BioShock: The Collection as well. The largest change introduced since the original release lies in the improved visuals, now supporting 4K resolution and using updated textures. Apart from that, BioShock Remastered offers all the contents of the original release. The player is taken to Rapture - an underwater metropolis where they will fight aggressive mutants and discover the gloomy history behind this extraordinary place. The player explores atmospheric locations, solves environmental puzzles, fights the enemies encountered and develops the protagonist's abilities. The last aspect is linked with moral choices which affect how the entire story ends. In combat, the player makes use of firearms, melee weapons, as well as special powers acquired through DNA modifications.

Adventure 17 August 2018

An adventure game set in the grim vision of post-Brexit Great Britain. We play as a European who waits for deportation from The British Islands while trying to earn for living as a bouncer in clubs and on festivals.

Arcade Thursday, 30 January 2020

Ministry of Broadcast is a combination of adventure and platform game from an independent studio of the same name - Ministry of Broadcast. We take on the role of a totalitarian citizen who wants to return to his family.

RPG 05 December 2019

RPG game based on the cult, "paper" Paranoia system, set in a dystopian and characterized by a large dose of black humor world, and created by Dan Gelber, Greg Costikyan and Eric Goldberg.

Action 12 November 2013

The first official story expansion for BioShock: Infinite, created by Irrational Games. Burial at Sea - Episode One is a nod to the fans of the first two parts of the series, for it brings the players back to one of the alternative dimensions of the underwater metropolis known as Rapture. The player is put in the shoes of Booker DeWitt, a detective whose job, at Elizabeth's request, is to find a girl named Sally - a character from the actual BioShock: Infinite. When exploring the corners of the utopian metropolis before the rebellion and eventual collapse, the protagonist discovers that the ideal city is actually very far from being a paradise. Instead, it is home to many dark secrets. The gameplay remains unchanged and is largely based on fighting big groups of enemies in fast-paced fashion. In combat, the player can choose from a variety of firearms and supernatural powers that come with the plasmids.

Adventure 22 January 2018

A thriller adventure game set in a cyberpunk setting. The players assume the role of a bartender and a hacker and stop the corporation called Supercontinent Ltd. from manipulating human personality in an attempt to eliminate all negative feeling and emotions including anger, depression, and agoraphobia.

Adventure 28 May 2015

An adventure game/visual novel developed by 5pb, a Japanese studio known with immense experience with the genre. Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness takes place in the world of Psycho-Pass, a popular science-fiction anime series. We are introduced to a grim version of 2113, in which a complex computer system called Sybil monitors the actions, thoughts, and emotional state of the inhabitants, creating a criminal behavior estimate for every citizen. If the probability is too high, the troublemaker is pursued by the police that neutralizes him on the spot. The game, taking place during the first six episodes of the animated series, enables us to assume the role of two new members of the investigating outfit: Takuma Tsurugi, an executor who’ve been sentenced by the system, but chose to join the police forces, and Nadeshiko Kugatachi, a woman with without memory who works as an Inspector, a person supervising the work of Executors. The game sees us follow the plot, shown through text, pictures, and short animated sequences. From time to time, we are given a choice of a few alternative actions, while our decision affect the possible outcomes of the story.

Adventure 15 August 2018

A science-fiction adventure game set in a dystopian world and created by Daedalic Entertainment. The action takes place in Berlin, and the year is 2048. State of Mind presents a grim prediction on the future of mankind struggling with unending wars, shrinking resources and governments establishing their regimes. The player assumes the role of a man who decides to abandon the physical world along with his family through the digitalization of human consciousness and settle in a utopian, virtual environment known as City 5. Unfortunately however, something goes wrong when the data transfer is being made and the player's task is to help the protagonist to finish the transfer and rejoin his family. In terms of the mechanics, State of Mind is a typical adventure game requiring the player to explore the in-game environments, talk to other characters, collect items and solve puzzles. The player takes on the roles of several different characters undergoing mutual interactions.

Simulation 2020

An adventure and simulation game hybrid in which we play the role of a citizen of a totalitarian state; one day a man decides to take matters into his own hands and break the status quo. In Mr. Prepper we deal with the expansion of the hero's underground hiding place, construction of various tools and machines, as well as trade with neighbors while avoiding inspections carried out by representatives of the authorities.

Adventure 05 March 2019

A production on the borderline between adventure and platform games, which takes us to a grim, cybernetic world. As one of the futuristic robots, in 7th Sector we travel through dark locations, gathering information about the world around us and the events taking place in it.

Simulation 27 October 2016

A strategy-simulation game developed by German studio Osmotic Studios. The title references the Orwellian theme of Big Brother and the internet surveillance of the modern society in face of global terrorism. The titular Orwell is the name of a computer system that tracks the citizens and finds people suspected of criminal activity. When the fictional city of Bonton becomes the victim of a series of terrorist attacks, the player assumes the role of an operator of the system and is tasked with identifying the terrorists. The gameplay mechanics are focused mostly on watching recordings and files related to the citizens and reporting any suspicious activity to specialized units. In the game the player will frequently bend constitutional laws and dig through private data, hack computers and even impersonate other people. However, one must be very careful because all actions can lead to various consequences.

Action 25 March 2014

The second major story expansion for BioShock: Infinite. It follows the events of the first expansion. However, this time we play not as Booker DeWitt but Elisabeth, who was previously an independent character, herself. The heroine wakes up in unknown circumstances with a pistol aimed at her face. She makes a promise which saves her from death. According to this obligation, she is supposed to help a group of people led by Atlas in their return to the underwater city of Rapture. In contrast to BioShock: Infinite and the first expansion, it focuses mainly on stealth. An additional feature of the game is the 1998 game mode (reminiscent of Thief's release date), which requires the player to complete the entire game without killing anybody.