Steampunk, a genre that intertwines technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery, has carved a unique niche within video game culture. It is not merely a stylistic choice; it represents a fusion of past and future, blending Victorian-era settings with futuristic innovations. This juxtaposition creates a rich tapestry for storytelling, world-building, and gameplay mechanics, distinguishing steampunk video games from those of other genres.
The appeal of steampunk in video gaming lies in its versatility and depth. It allows game developers to explore alternate histories, speculative technologies, and complex narratives, offering players immersive experiences that are as intellectually stimulating as they are visually captivating. The intricate designs, elaborate gadgets, and innovative steam-powered machinery present in these games not only serve as a backdrop but also actively shape gameplay and player interaction with the game world.
Criteria for Selection
The selection of the top 10 steampunk video games is based on a combination of gameplay innovation, steampunk aesthetics and narrative depth, and community and critical reception. These criteria ensure that the games not only embody the essence of steampunk but also offer meaningful, engaging, and high-quality gaming experiences.
Top 10 Steampunk Video Games
1. Bioshock Infinite
- Overview: Developed by Irrational Games, "Bioshock Infinite" is set in the floating city of Columbia in 1912. The game explores themes of American exceptionalism, nationalism, and social issues, wrapped in a visually stunning steampunk setting.
- Gameplay Mechanics: The player controls Booker DeWitt, a private investigator, navigating through Columbia using a variety of weapons and psychokinetic powers granted through "Vigors." The gameplay combines first-person shooter elements with RPG mechanics, allowing for a dynamic combat experience.
- Steampunk Elements: "Bioshock Infinite" is renowned for its elaborate steampunk aesthetic, featuring floating cities, airships, and steam-powered robots. The game's art direction meticulously integrates steampunk designs with the narrative, creating a cohesive and immersive world.
- Critical Reception: The game received widespread acclaim for its story, visual artistry, and complex characters. It was praised for its innovative approach to narrative and world-building, setting a benchmark for storytelling in video games.
2. Dishonored
- Overview: Developed by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks, "Dishonored" is an action-adventure game set in the fictional, plague-ridden city of Dunwall, heavily inspired by London in the early 1900s. The game is known for its flexible combat system, allowing players to use a mix of stealth, gadgets, and supernatural abilities.
- Gameplay Mechanics: Players assume the role of Corvo Attano, a former bodyguard of the Empress, framed for her murder. The game emphasizes player choice, offering a range of non-lethal and lethal options to navigate through levels and affect the game's outcome.
- Steampunk Elements: "Dishonored" features a rich steampunk environment characterized by its innovative use of whale oil-powered technologies, Victorian-inspired architecture, and a dark, oppressive atmosphere. The game's art direction seamlessly integrates these elements, enhancing the immersive experience.
- Critical Reception: "Dishonored" received critical acclaim for its unique blend of stealth, immersive storytelling, and highly detailed world. It was praised for its artistic design and the depth of player choice, which significantly impacts the narrative and world state.
3. Frostpunk
- Overview: "Frostpunk" is developed and published by 11 bit studios. This city-building survival game is set in an alternate 1886, where volcanic eruptions and diminished sunlight have led to worldwide cooling. Players are tasked with managing the last city on Earth, using steam-powered technology to fend off the extreme cold.
- Gameplay Mechanics: The gameplay focuses on resource management, city-building, and moral decision-making. Players must balance the needs of the city's inhabitants with the harsh realities of the frozen world outside, often making difficult choices that affect the city's morale and hope.
- Steampunk Elements: The game is set against a backdrop of steampunk aesthetics, with steam-powered machinery and technology being central to survival. The design and visuals are deeply rooted in steampunk, from the architecture to the intricate machines used by the inhabitants to survive.
- Critical Reception: "Frostpunk" was lauded for its challenging gameplay, moral complexity, and the way it integrates its steampunk elements into both the narrative and gameplay. It has been celebrated for its atmospheric setting, compelling survival mechanics, and thought-provoking dilemmas.
4. The Order: 1886
- Overview: "The Order: 1886" is developed by Ready at Dawn and SCE Santa Monica Studio, published for the PlayStation 4. It presents an alternate history of London where an old order of knights keeps the world safe from half-bred monsters, blending Arthurian legend with steampunk technology.
- Gameplay Mechanics: This game is a third-person shooter that emphasizes cover-based combat, featuring a unique array of steampunk-inspired weapons. The gameplay is interspersed with quick-time events, adding to the cinematic experience.
- Steampunk Elements: The game is set in a richly detailed Victorian London, augmented with advanced technology like airships, wireless communications, and electrified weaponry. Its steampunk aesthetic is meticulously crafted, from the architecture to the character designs, embodying the essence of the genre.
- Critical Reception: "The Order: 1886" received mixed reviews, with praise for its graphics, detailed world, and steampunk design, but criticism for its linearity and gameplay mechanics. It stands out as a visual showcase of steampunk in video games, despite its gameplay limitations.
5. Thief
- Overview: The "Thief" series, particularly the reboot in 2014 developed by Eidos-Montréal and published by Square Enix, reimagines the franchise with a steampunk twist. Players take on the role of Garrett, a master thief in a gothic industrial metropolis known as The City.
- Gameplay Mechanics: "Thief" is primarily a first-person stealth game that focuses on avoiding combat, using shadows and the environment to steal from the rich. The game encourages players to use strategy and planning to navigate levels and accomplish objectives.
- Steampunk Elements: The game's world combines medieval architecture with steampunk technology, creating a unique, dark, and atmospheric setting. Gadgets and tools, including lockpicks and a specialized bow, play into the steampunk theme, enhancing the gameplay and narrative.
- Critical Reception: The reception to "Thief" was mixed, with critics praising its atmospheric setting and detailed world but criticizing its story and some gameplay mechanics. Its contribution to the steampunk genre is notable for its emphasis on stealth and the utilization of a dark, industrial aesthetic.