To begin with, it is worth talking about what is steampunk. This direction is a branch of science fiction, in which steam technology and technology are combined with colorful decorative and applied art. This style is based on a completely different path of human development, which implies that progress has gone towards alternative mechanisms and the use of steam engines. It is on this that any universe and its design are built, regardless of whether it is a book, a film or a game. Just about the games in the style of steampunk and tell our article.
It is worth saying that the presented list is not a rating, but only introduces the reader to the best representatives of style and direction. We have collected projects of different time periods, as well as differing in budget. Any gamer who loves steampunk can choose the entertainment to their taste.
Bioshock Series
The first thing that comes to mind for any avid gamer who is familiar with this style and direction is a series of first-person shooters Bioshock. The project includes 2 original parts connected with each other by the characters and the scene, as well as Bioshock Infinite, which strikes with a deep plot, a bewitching heavenly city and excellent characters.
The action of the first two games takes place in an underwater city, which brings a terrible atmosphere. The design of the levels combines classic style and steampunk, which can be traced in weapons, items and other small details. The suit of the “big daddy”, which is replete with small details, is especially impressive, its head is similar to the cover of the bathyscaphe, valves are located on the armor, and there is a huge drill in the hand. Adds an atmosphere to the view that periodically opens to players through glass partitions. Against the background, the player sees the lights of a flooded steampunk city.
Bioshock Infinite pops up from the bottom of the ocean and goes straight to heaven in Colombia. In the light of day, the work of designers is noticeable even more. Steam engines fly everywhere, moving between platforms is carried out on rails, huge robots with many mechanisms, gears, cogs and so on are strong opponents. The apogee of this steampunk-style game is a huge mechanized bird, which plays an important role in the plot, but we can do without spoilers.
Dishonored Series
This game differs from the previous one in many aspects: another genre (RPG and stealth in the first person), another engine, graphics and a more mundane plot. The player is told the story of a bodyguard named Corvo, who is accused of killing the queen. The action takes place in the English city of Danwall. It combines the aesthetics of an industrial metropolis, steampunk, poverty and political conspiracies. The main character is going to find the real killer of the queen and take revenge on him. The gameplay is mainly designed for discreet passage. It is curious that the universe does not disdain to mix genres and directions. The Dishonored game in Russian boasts an excellent steampunk design and an admixture of magic. It is with the help of magic and technical “chips” that Corvo successfully hides from enemies and silently destroys them throughout the game.
Dishonored 2
Dishonored 2 is a direct sequel that continues the story of the first steampunk game. The action takes place in a fictional island nation, and the story tells about Corvo or his daughter, who followed in the footsteps of her father.
During the passage, you will visit the city already familiar from the first part, as well as the new location of Kornak. The gameplay has acquired new mechanics and "chips." Now the RPG offers great variability in terms of completing missions - hidden kills and open combat do not differ in complexity. The only thing that spoils the impression of this project is poor optimization.
Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura
Let's distract from modern action games and shooters towards the legendary classics. The list of steampunk games on PC is continued by Arcanum - an isometric RPG in the spirit of the original Fallout. While Fallout series focuses on nuclear weapons and post-apocalypse-style retro-futurism, Arcanum is the perfect example of a steampunk universe. Interestingly, the world of Arcanum was originally under the control of magic and supernatural powers. However, after the invention of the steam engine and the rapid development of technology, a conflict of two worlds arose.
Against the background of this problem, the events of the original Arcanum are developing. You have to combine magic with technology, choose magic or ignore it. The world is populated by people and many fantasy races. Despite the old isometric graphics, the design of locations and interiors can still be enjoyed. All textures and backgrounds are drawn by hand - this is exactly how RPG was created in the old days.
If you are not repelled by outdated graphics and difficulty in mastering, and also you have been looking for a steampunk game from the classics of the 90s for a long time, then Arcanum would be an ideal option.
Syberia
Our list already has a shooter, first-person RPG and isometric role-playing game. Now let's dwell on the representative of the quest genre - the Syberia series.
This project can be clearly categorized as the best steampunk game. Everything is good here: level design, puzzles, characters and the story itself. Syberia tells the story of the adventure of the girl Kate Walker, who initially goes on a business trip. The main character is drawn into a mysterious story telling about the only heir to the factory of clockwork toys.
The gameplay in Syberia is a point-and-click meditative quest. It is because of the static and slowly changing locations that it becomes possible to consider all the structures and techniques of steampunk. Although it is human history and heroes that come first in the game, one cannot help but admire the local design. If you like this quest, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with two more games in the steampunk style - these are Syberia 2 and Syberia 3, which continue the story of Kate.
Machinarium
Another representative of the quest genre, but less realistic and serious. The game tells the story of the world of robots. The protagonist embarks on a dangerous journey to save his girlfriend from the hands of robo-bandits. Along the way, he will have to solve many puzzles and puzzles.
The game stands out for its visual style and atmosphere. On the one hand, funny characters, and on the other - a hopeless mood and gloomy locations of the game in the genre of steampunk.
Fable 3
We touch on the third-person RPG genre. One of the world’s projects is Fable 3, a fabulous role-playing game where steampunk appears for the first time in the series. The action begins 50 years after the events of the first two parts. It was at this moment in the fabulous Albion that the industrial revolution began, which led to the active spread of steam engines and related equipment. There are really a lot of unusual equipment in the game, the designers did their best. Otherwise, Fable 3 does not depart from the canon of the previous games in the series - a big fairy tale world, a character’s story from birth to becoming an adult, a great sense of humor, voice acting. The gameplay allows you to combine firearms with magic and swords, which allows you to pump a hybrid character.
Ascent: Infinite Realm (AIR)
Now take a look at steampunk-style online games. Here it is worth highlighting the large-budget and well-known MMORPG Ascent: Infinite Realm, which is created by the developers of Tera Online. Already from the first screenshots and trailers it became clear that the game will combine the magic world and airships, which the creators emphasized.
Each player and faction has a steam aircraft, which is their main base. It stores your items, points for activating tasks, and the ship is a combat unit.
If the weaving of steampunk into mechanics and design is not enough, then the creators have prepared large-scale air battles for sophisticated players, in which huge fortresses armed with stylized cannons participate.
Guns of icarus
Another online game, but with a focus on cooperative session gameplay. The basis was air fights on steampunk ships. A team of three players manually controls their ship and fights with opponents. Each hero is responsible for certain actions on the ship, so only coordinated interaction can lead to victory over opponents. Excellent cooperative gameplay is "seasoned" with many mechanisms, steam engines, guns and style, which will appeal to lovers of steampunk.
Conclusion
The listed list of games does not reflect the total number of projects in the steampunk style. You can also find many smaller quests, indie platformers, and so on. The most popular and largest of them (Bioshock and Dishonored) we reviewed. Also, the classic in the form of an isometric RPG Arcanum was touched, which is not suitable for everyone because of its age and specific development.
The richest in stylized games are precisely quests and platformers. Among them are such projects as Amnesia, Ironcast, Vessel, Sublustrum.