Now that it's been thoroughly patched up, it's clear that there's nothing else out there quite like Cyberpunk 2077. Perhaps the closest parallels would be Bethesda's RPGs, though those still have radically different gameplay, writing, and overall design elements, often on a fundamental level. In other words, it's hard to find an open-world RPG that scratches the same itch as Cyberpunk 2077, try as fans may.
That said, there are a number of great cyberpunk games out there, even if they aren't governed by the same rules as Cyberpunk 2077 itself. Beyond a Steel Sky is one such title, thrusting players into an inventive, dystopian world ruled by authoritarian corporations and uber-powerful AI. Like many games, books, and films in the cyberpunk genre, it leverages science-fiction elements to tell a compelling story that's as much about current-day struggles as it is about imagining a fantastical future. Those interested in such concepts, or anyone simply looking for a fun new adventure game, would do well to check out Beyond a Steel Sky, especially since they can get it for a song on PlayStation.
Beyond a Steel Sky Costs $3 on the PlayStation Store, for a Super-Limited Time
Worth the Rush: Beyond a Steel Sky Is a Must-Play for $3
Beyond a Steel Sky puts players in the shoes of Robert Foster, a one-time city-dweller now residing in the arid no-mans-land beyond the metropolis known as Union City. His peaceful and placid life is interrupted when a child close to him is inexplicably kidnapped by a massive machine, prompting Foster to return to Union City and rescue him. Along the way, he discovers conspiracies and secrets that change his understanding of the world around him.
Beyond a Steel Sky is well-respected among its core demographic, currently sitting at an average rating of 88% "Very Positive" on Steam.
It's this world-building and storytelling that makes Beyond a Steel Sky so special. With art design from none other than Watchmen illustrator Dave Gibbons, the game boasts an appealing cel-shaded aesthetic, with striking environment and character design that offers a refreshingly colorful spin on typical cyberpunk iconography. In short, Beyond a Steel Sky's world is a treat to explore, and for just $3, it's a deal that's hard to beat.
As one might expect, though, this rock-bottom pricing comes with a small catch:
- Beyond a Steel Sky will only be on sale for $3 between now and Thursday, August 14, 1:59 A.M. CDT
Beyond a Steel Sky Is Perfectly Lightweight Cyberpunk Fare
In the modern gaming landscape, big, beefy (some might say bloated) open-world games continue to dominate the market. This makes sense, especially considering the cost of games and the desire by most consumers to get their money's worth, but there's value in short games as well. These more trim, compact experiences can often hit harder than the sprawling AAA bonanzas that most modern gamers are more than familiar with, though the cost-benefit analysis can get a bit wonky.
This is why PlayStation's deal on Beyond a Steel Sky is notable. Indeed, Beyond a Steel Sky can be conquered in around ten hours, and its gameplay can be described as a blend of point-and-click adventure fundamentals and straightforward environmental puzzles: there are no massive skill trees to fill out, no intense combat sandbox to master, and no meaty progression system to grind. What Beyond a Steel Sky does have is heart, style, and flair, with a unique premise and entertaining narrative that is well worth the cost of admission. With that cost being a paltry $3, it's hard to turn the game down.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 73 /100 Critics Rec: 56%
- Released
- June 25, 2020
- ESRB
- t
- Engine
- unity
WHERE TO PLAY
From Charles Cecil, creator of the Broken Sword series, with art direction by Dave Gibbons, legendary comic book artist behind ‘Watchmen’, comes ‘Beyond A Steel Sky’, the long awaited sequel to the cult classic ‘Beneath a Steel Sky’.
You are Robert Foster. A child has been abducted in a brutal attack. You have vowed to bring him home. The trail has led you to Union City, one of the last remaining mega-cities in a world ravaged by shattering wars, and political meltdown.
Union City is a utopia, its people loving life under the control of an altruistic AI: ever-attentive androids, designer living, piazzas and bars. What’s not to love? But this City has a dark underbelly...
‘Beyond a Steel Sky’ is a dramatic, humorous, cyberpunk thriller in which engaging puzzles drive a fast-paced narrative set in a dynamic gameworld that responds to – and is subverted by – the player’s actions.
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Genre(s)
- Indie Games, Action, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- How Long To Beat
- 10 hours
