Glitchpunk

I'm very on the fence with this one. I've had it on my wishlist for a long time but seeing the bad reviews I've always postponed it. Now after it came out of early access I've decided to give it a try, and while the concept is fun, it isn't really polished, it feels like an alpha, with a ton of small but annoying things that should be fixed and that take the fun away.
If steam had neutral reviews, that'd be one of them. I feel that it has more negative reviews than it deserves though, hence the positive.
Pros:
+ the concept is interesting
+ the maps are nice
+ the plot might be interesting, although the way it's presented doesn't really allow focusing on it much
Cons:
- the interface is absolutely terrible, especially on controller. It feels like no developer even tried to play it with a controller. Using the menus or the map is a nightmare
- the driving can be quite bad, especially on slopes or ramps, the car just randomly turns or bumps into things. Also, if a pedestrian jumps on the car (which happens way too often), the constant collision also makes it drive weird
- the plot - whenever a message is shown, it scrolls pretty fast if it's longer than the container, and the game doesn't pause, so it's often hard to read it
- the alternative camera mode would be fun but it's broken, it doesn't really follow the turns quick enough and feels like driving drunk
- fall damage is pretty bad, it's impossible to tell if the fall is going to damage you or not because in a top to down perspective it always looks the same. Sometimes jumping in the same place can result in half of the hp bar gone
- one safehouse isn't enough, constantly driving to the other side of the city when everyone attacks you on the way just to save really isn't fun
- the achievements are quite uninspired, and to be honest could just not exist and it wouldn't make a difference
- no cloud save

I don't understand why the hate against this game. Its a great GTA2 alternative, but its more than just a skin.
The cars are indeed floaty, but that's because they are actually hovering. You can get used to it in 2 minutes. Just press SPACE to stop if you are sliding the wrong direction. BTW, it has never been easy to drive in GTA 1-2 either, and this is pretty much the same experience imo.
The game is fun, but it's fun like we had in the 90s, so not the same experience as today's AAA games. If the missions are boring its because this game is much simpler than games nowadays, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
It is top-down view, but its not sprite based like GTA1-2 was. It's 3D behind the curtains, with a nice HUD, shaders, reflections, shadows, transparent glowing pickup indicators, fire-smoke-particle effects, slight perspective tilt, proper handling when you go under something, everything that a 3D game engine can bring.
It has tons of quality of life and overall game play depth additions compared to GTA2:
- The districts look and feel different
- You can set in options how much aim assist you want. Aiming has always been the painful part in GTA1-2.
- The target indicator arrows with distance look nice and don't obstruct your view
- You can hack people, gates, etc. It's fun to see the different pedestrians stats like: age, gender, occupation, place of residence, net worth, heart rate
- You can buy weapons from vending machines on the street
- You can buy augmentations from stores, so you have that cyberpunk addition
- Lamp posts, fences are destructible
- Your cars health, weapon, ammo, gang influence is shown on the HUD
- Usable minimap and by hitting ESC it pauses the game and shows a fullscreen zoomable city map with all the points of interest that you can toggle if it feels cluttered, just like in GTA5 (no waypoints and GPS navigation though)
Is it abandoned by the devs? I don't care... Games in the 90s were all abandoned after release unless there was a game breaking bug that had to be fixed.
I actually like that they don't update the game and don't turn it into completely different game, or ruin it to make market for the sequel (like many big names do it nowadays).
It's way overpriced for 20€, but on a 90% sale its worth 2€ if you like cyberpunk themed games.

has a dark and gloomy neon lit cyberpunk aesthetic
good fun game
GTA meets syndicate

Classic GTA plus Cyberpunk, nice combo. Need a lot of polishment.

This game seems to have been unfairly mauled in reviews by people saying it was abandoned. Having followed the past year on the devs discord, I can see this was due to circumstances outside of the devs control (publisher was on a go slow with greenlighting updates apparently). You can tell this game is a labour of love to the original GTA games and to the cyberpunk genre. It's beautiful to look at and enjoyable to play, from what I've seen so far.

Detailed and Positive Review of "Glitchpunk"
"Glitchpunk" is an engaging and stylish title that combines intense action gameplay, an immersive narrative, and a fascinating cyberpunk aesthetic. Developed by Dark Lord, this game stands out as a more modern and dynamic take on a classic game style, bringing a unique sense of chaos and freedom to a dystopian futuristic world. If you’re a fan of open-world games with a heavy dose of action and an intriguing plot, "Glitchpunk" is an experience worth exploring. Let’s dive into the key aspects that make the game so noteworthy.
1. Setting and Visual Aesthetics
One of the most striking features of "Glitchpunk" is its vibrant and immersive cyberpunk visual aesthetic. The game is set in a futuristic city saturated with neon, where chaos reigns and the streets are dominated by gangs, sinister corporations, and uncontrolled technologies. The game's color palette, mixing neon hues with dark shadows and metallic tones, helps create an atmosphere that is both claustrophobic and electrically vibrant, typical of a cyberpunk setting.
The city is a mix of dense, grimy areas with narrow streets and sewage zones, alongside cleaner, more technologically controlled districts dominated by large corporations. Each district of the city feels unique, with details like flashing digital billboards, flying cars, and futuristic buildings that make the environment highly immersive. The variety of settings and attention to world-building details make "Glitchpunk" visually impressive, offering a sense of a dynamic, ever-changing world.
2. Gameplay and Action Mechanics
"Glitchpunk" is essentially an open-world action game with a strong focus on combat, exploration, and character progression. Players take on the role of a cybernetic protagonist seeking revenge and justice within a corrupt system. The gameplay offers a mix of frantic shooting, close combat, and the ability to use a wide range of weapons and vehicles to cause destruction throughout the city.
The combat in "Glitchpunk" is highly satisfying, with responsive controls and well-polished shooting mechanics that provide a sense of impact and intensity. The use of a variety of weapons such as assault rifles, pistols, and improvised arms gives the player great flexibility in combat. Additionally, gunfights aren’t limited to just shooting: players can also perform brutal melee attacks, adding a visceral element to the combat.
The game also offers significant character skill customization, allowing players to upgrade their cybernetic abilities throughout the game, creating a sense of constant progression. Furthermore, the ability to hack systems and devices within the game adds to the variety of interactions and provides new strategic opportunities for the player. Exploration plays a key role in the game, with the city filled with side missions, points of interest, and hidden areas that encourage players to venture out in search of rewards.
3. Story and Narrative
The narrative of "Glitchpunk" is full of twists, mysteries, and social critiques—hallmarks of many cyberpunk games. The game follows a protagonist who finds themselves at the center of a conspiracy involving powerful corporations, violent gangs, and a totalitarian surveillance system. As the story unfolds, players are faced with moral choices that impact the direction of the plot, a feature typical of the genre but executed with depth.
While the story revolves around themes of corporate corruption and the individual’s struggle against an oppressive system, it’s also enriched by well-written dialogue and intriguing characters. The protagonist, being a cybernetic figure, seeks answers about their origins while grappling with the moral dilemmas of their mission. The main missions are exciting and action-packed, but there are also moments of introspection and choice that make players reflect on the paths they take.
The side missions are also well-developed, providing additional context to the world of the game and expanding the story with new characters and parallel plots. The way the game handles choices and their consequences helps make the narrative feel dynamic, with different possible outcomes for how the story plays out.
4. Sound and Soundtrack
The soundtrack of "Glitchpunk" is another major strength of the game. Composed of a blend of synthwave and futuristic electronic music, the soundtrack perfectly captures the essence of the cyberpunk genre, creating an immersive and intense atmosphere. The pulsating beats and layered synthesizers help build a sense of urgency and tension during action sequences, while there are also calmer, ethereal tracks for moments of exploration or introspection.
Additionally, the sound effects are top-notch, from the sounds of weapons firing to the noises of the city, like passing flying cars and the movement of crowds on the streets. These sound elements help reinforce the feeling of being in a futuristic, densely populated city, where every corner might hide danger or opportunity.
5. Challenges and Replayability
While "Glitchpunk" is an action game at its core, it also presents a good level of challenge. Enemies are varied and smart, with AI that provides tough combat, making battles more exciting. Furthermore, the need to plan and explore to find resources, upgrade abilities, and hack systems adds depth to the gameplay.
The replayability of "Glitchpunk" is high, mainly due to the various side missions and different approaches to completing objectives. The character's skill customization allows players to experiment with different playstyles, whether focusing on combat, hacking, or manipulating the environment. The open world and the different possibilities for exploration and interaction ensure that the game has good longevity.
6. Technical Aspects and Performance
Technically, "Glitchpunk" shines with excellent performance, featuring well-optimized graphics and smooth gameplay, even in areas dense with details. The game maintains a stable frame rate with no significant drops in performance, which is essential for an intense action and exploration experience. The optimization is also impressive across different hardware setups, making the game accessible to a wide range of players.
Conclusion: An Exciting Cyberpunk Journey
"Glitchpunk" is a game that combines intense action with an engaging narrative and a dynamic open world, all set within a rich and detailed cyberpunk aesthetic. Dark Lord has created a gaming experience that is not only fun but immersive, with fluid gameplay, interesting characters, and an exciting plot.
If you're a fan of open-world action games with a strong cyberpunk presence and a good dose of freedom, "Glitchpunk" is an excellent choice. With its combat mechanics, customization, exploration, and fantastic soundtrack, the game offers a solid and memorable experience.
Final Rating: 8.5/10

It's GTA 2, but in a cyberpunk setting. and weird controls with a bit of jankness. Totally GOTY.