What does the future hold? No one knows, but dystopian video games represent one of the best ways to experience alternative visions of the future in perfectly realistic conditions.
As the opposite of utopia, dystopia has the job of delivering the most unappealing of worlds. But why would we even want to play a game with such a setting? The answer is simple – they bring out the image of a human struggling with unimaginable misfortunes.
Such an environment is fundamental for introducing various types of drama, tragedy, themes of loss, and desperation. Let’s agree – we love such stories! If you admire them as well, consider playing our finest dystopian recommendations.
| Game | Release | Genre | Developer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Papers Please | 2013-08-08 | Adventure | 3909 |
 | Costume Quest 2 | 2014-10-07 | Adventure | Double Fine Productions |
 | Homefront | 2011-03-14 | Action & Shooter | Digital Extremes |
 | Metro 2033 Redux | 2014-08-27 | Horror | 4A GAMES |
 | Metro Last Light Redux | 2014-08-27 | Adventure | 4A GAMES |
 | Metro Exodus Gold Edition | 2019-02-22 | Action | 4A GAMES |
 | Wolfenstein The New Order | 2014-05-19 | Action & Shooter | Machine Games |
 | Wolfenstein II The New Colossus | 2017-10-27 | Action & Shooter | Machine Games |
 | Remember Me | 2013-06-03 | Adventure | DONTNOD Entertainment |
 | Beyond Good Evil | 2003-11-11 | Adventure | Ubisoft |
 | Mirrors Edge | 2009-01-13 | Adventure | DICE |
 | Mirrors Edge Catalyst | 2016-06-09 | Adventure | EA DICE |
 | Deus Ex Human Revolution Directors Cut | 2013-10-25 | Action & Shooter | Eidos Montreal |
 | Deus Ex Collection | 2017-01-06 | Adventure | Automata Source |
 | Deus Ex Goty | 2000-06-22 | RPG | Ion Storm |
 | Deus Ex Mankind Divided | 2016-08-23 | RPG | Eidos Montreal |
 | Bioshock The Collection | 2016-09-15 | Adventure | 2K Australia |
 | Bioshock Infinite | 2013-03-25 | RPG | Aspyr (Mac) |
 | Bioshock Remastered | 2016-09-15 | Action & Shooter | 2K Australia |
 | Half Life 2 | 2004-11-16 | Action & Shooter | Valve |
 | Fallout New Vegas Ultimate Edition | 2010-10-21 | Adventure | Obsidian Entertainment |
 | Fallout 4 Game Of The Year Edition | 2017-09-26 | RPG | Bethesda Game Studios |
 | Cyberpunk 2077 | 2020-12-10 | RPG | CD PROJEKT RED |
 | Stray | 2022-07-19 | Adventure | BlueTwelve Studio |
Papers, Please
| Release date: | 2013-08-08 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | 3909 |
This unique game puts you in the role of a border-crossing immigration officer. And let us tell you – your new life under the oppressive regime will not be easy!
Review documents, try to survive a depressing reality, and discover other characters’ stories to witness thirty game endings. Only you decide who can enter, and any mistake may result in grave consequences!
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BioShock
| Release date: | 2007-08-21 |
| Genre: | Action & Shooter |
| Developer: | 2K Australia |
Discover the underwater city of Rapture to become a part of a fallen dystopia. Initially, you don’t know who to trust, but extraordinary genetic modifications may help you decide how to proceed with this plot.
BioShock is a legendary shooter unraveling a mysterious city, running by its own rules. Become a part of it to survive this unique adventure!
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Cyberpunk 2077
| Release date: | 2020-12-10 |
| Genre: | Action RPG |
| Developer: | CD PROJEKT RED |
Play as V – a random mercenary living with a mysterious chip in his head. Exploring once-beautiful Night City, you’ll have to survive the pathological reality where everyone has almost forgotten how to be human.
Cyberpunk unravels the world ruled by brutal megacorporations, genetic modifications, and despair. Discovering it in Johnny Silverhand’s charming company, you’ll learn new definitions of challenging topics like freedom, consciousness, or sense of life.
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Deus Ex
| Release date: | 2000-06-22 |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | Ion Storm |
It is 2052, and the Gray Death takes over the world. Only Agent JC Denton can reveal the terrible secret behind its origins.
Deus Ex is a story about the final collapse of morality, loneliness in an evil reality, and challenging choices determining the fate of all humanity. The game combines shooting, stealth, and a deep plot, providing three surprising endings.
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Wolfenstein
| Release date: | 2014-05-19 |
| Genre: | Action & Shooter |
| Developer: | Machine Games |
It is 1943, and B.J. Blazkowicz takes great effort to stop the evil Third Reich. Unfortunately, the situation becomes particularly problematic when his opponents start working on a mighty weapon involving occult powers.
Wolfenstein is a legendary action game revealing an alternative version of World War II. Combining exploration, shooting, and a rich arsenal of weapons, it offers approximately 9 hours of absolutely addictive adventure.
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Metro 2023
| Release date: | 2014-08-27 |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Developer: | 4A GAMES |
Become a part of the post-apocalyptic reality after the nuclear war to start your new desperate life in the Moscow metro. Only you can save the last survivors!
Metro 2033 features a brutal world overrun by bloodthirsty mutants, anomalies, and omnipresent fear. Explore the Moscow metro, collect weapons, and sneak to discover the terrifying truth behind this tragic reality.
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Atomic Heart
| Release date: | 2023-02-21 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | Mundfish |
Machines were supposed to help humans, but they revolted against their creators. Now, this once-perfect world offers only mayhem and brutal death.
Playing as Major P-3, you must fight aggressive robots and hideous mutants. Fortunately, you can use unique skills to make this desperate dream come true!
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Dishonored
| Release date: | 2012-10-12 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Arkane Studios |
Empress Jessamine Kaldwin is murdered, and her daughter Emily is kidnapped. Using Corvo Attano’s supernatural skills, you can take revenge on her killers and discover secrets that should never see the light of day.
Sneak, eliminate enemies, and develop skills to see how this gloomy world reacts to your actions. You will feel like a deadly shadow trying to regain his lost reputation in this game!
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Fallout 4
| Release date: | 2017-09-26 |
| Genre: | RPG |
| Developer: | Bethesda Game Studios |
A nuclear war effectively destroyed Boston and your dreams. You are alone and must search for your family in this post-apocalyptic reality.
Explore Boston wastelands, collect tools, and fight to make your new life relatively bearable. Fallout 4 is an atmospheric and decision-oriented game where ultimate freedom is your priceless treasure.
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Observer
| Release date: | 2020-11-10 |
| Genre: | Adventure |
| Developer: | Bloober Team |
It is 2084 in Krakow, and Detective Daniel Lazarski receives distressing news from his son, a Chiron corporation employee. It is the beginning of the most disturbing investigation of his life.
Observer focuses on thorough exploration, chatting with NPCs, and using the main character’s unique power – hacking people’s minds. It is an excellent recommendation for players who love mystery themes enriched with survival horror features.
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Paradoxically, dystopian games give us a sense of hope. They all suggest that massive change can start with one person. In the rotten world, any sign of decency or kindness enormously uplifts. And although many of these titles feature unhappy endings, they prove we don’t shy away from trying our best in the worst of circumstances.