Learning about the cancellation of the Blade Runner game before it was even announced was a significant disappointment for me. Given my deep admiration for the movies and the cyberpunk genre as a whole, I had high hopes for Supermassive Games’ Blade Runner project. With their expertise in crafting compelling narratives and branching dialogue options, the game could have been exceptional.
It’s plausible that Supermassive was planning a game with multiple choices, similar to Until Dawn or The Dark Pictures Anthology. Instead of revisiting the characters from Blade Runner (K & Deckard), we might have played as a new character, pursuing rogue androids, which could lead us into our own existential dilemma reminiscent of the Blade Runner universe.
But here’s the thing: there aren’t enough big cyberpunk games.
Cyberpunk 2077 was among the pioneers that introduced the cyberpunk genre into mainstream gaming. After years of buzz and expectation, its release was met with harsh criticism, but CDPR eventually refined it to become an enjoyable game.
Other games such as Ghostrunner also made significant contributions, but its runner-style gameplay was more appealing to a specific audience. Meanwhile, Bloober Team innovatively blended cyberpunk with horror elements in Observer, featuring the late and legendary Rutger Hauer. Farewell, icon.
In recent times, independent game developers have taken up this genre, transforming it into distinct and heartfelt experiences that mirror their creators. A game like Nobody Wants to Die by Critical Hit Games delves deeply into the human psyche, exploring the essence of humanity. Simulation games such as VA-11 HALL-A and The Red Strings Club provide profound insights into our fundamental human needs, painting these reflections against a future dominated by technology.
It seems as though the influence of cyberpunk in gaming has waned over time. The next Cyberpunk game isn’t expected until 2030, and the Deus Ex series appears to be growing stale under Embracer Group. With Supermassive’s Blade Runner project being canceled, it gives the impression that the genre is gradually fading away.
Or is it?
There remain several forthcoming cyberpunk video games with the potential to leave a significant mark, particularly from independent game developers. Games such as The Last Night continue to embody the gritty, neon-lit atmosphere that is characteristic of this genre.
Instead of discussing Blade Runner, let me tell you about a different topic. The creators behind games like Outer Wilds, Sayonara Wild Hearts, and What Remains of Edith Finch are working on a new version of Blade Runner called Blade Runner 2033: Labyrinth, not the one produced by Supermassive.
Apart from being set in the Blade Runner 2049 universe, during the 2033 blackout period, there isn’t much information available about Labyrinth as of now.
As Annapurna’s Blade Runner project and an influx of independent cyberpunk stories approach, the genre remains vibrant – for now. However, it deserves a bit more focus. Given its unique backdrop, no other setting offers such insight into human nature as this one does.
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2025-04-25 13:12