Settings are one of the most important elements in a video game, as they are responsible for contextualizing the experiences.
Both in terms of visuals and narrative, there are multiple styles that mark the setting of a work, and among them, steampunk is by far one of my favorites.
This subgenre of science fiction is known for the use ofretrofuturistic technologyandthe aesthetic influence of the Industrial Revolution’s beginnings, with the great prominence of steam-powered machines.
Between Victorian and American approaches, the genre is vast and has notable representatives, of which I have tried to take the most outstanding ones for thislist of the ten best games set in steampunk settings.
10SteamWorld Dig 2
Steam-powered Metroidvania
SteamWorld Dig 2
As a metroidvania fan,SteamWorld Dig 2is a warm experience I hold dear. Even if it’s not on my list of the genre’s masterpieces, it’s a solid title that delivers many hours of entertainment.
It’s highly imaginative, and this goes from its mechanics to its story andespecially its aesthetics. The game’s art section is my favorite element of its entire proposal, as it has a colorful personality that makes it fun just to look at.
As a steampunk game, it places its adventures among mines and robots, offering a world full of traps and treasures that feels even more remarkable for those of us who played the first one and could seehow much the franchise grew with the second installment.
Overall,SteamWorld Dig 2is a competent and affable metroidvania I will never stop recommending, thanks to its classic yet modern formula that works so well.
9Styx: Master of Shadows
Multi-layered Stealth Fantasy
Styx: Master of Shadows
Although you may not know it, as it’s a title that has gone unnoticed except by stealth fans,Styx: Master of Shadowsis magnificent.
Thanks to the countless possibilities it offers in terms of gameplay, especially thanks to the agility of its protagonist and the great level design,I’m not afraid to say it’s one of the best in its genre.
Its combination of dark fantasy and steampunk makes it a very distinctive game, with a unique mythology, a particularly enjoyable sense of adventure, and a brief but effective set of skills typical of both styles (smoke bombs, invisibility, throwing knives, and so on).
AlthoughStyx: Master of Shadowsdoesn’t delve much into any of its subgenres, the fusion of them is what I truly love, and I think it deserves recognition.
8Amnesia: The Dark Descent
The Savior of Terror
Amnesia The Dark Descent
When the horror genre was dying,Amnesia: The Dark Descentcame to the rescue, both for its genre and the indie horror scene.
Frictional Games' creation marked a before and after in the horror experiences of the past decade, being among the protagonists in the revolution of content creation and streaming that would take place during its heyday.
With its management of tension, its puzzles based on observation, and the outstanding atmosphere produced by its combination of steampunk and Victorian elements,the game became an icon of the industry for more than justifiable reasons.
However, the fundamental pillar is its setting, not only because of the creativity resulting from its different influences, but also because of the symphonic way in which it fuses with the mechanics.
I doubt one day I will become a genuine fan of the horror genre, although I deeply respectAmnesia: The Dark Descentfor its proposal’s quality and impact.
7Machinarium
A Robotic Adventure
Machinarium
The ability of indies to take common tropes and give them a unique personality has always fascinated me, as is the case withMachinarium.
This hand-drawn point-and-click robot game presentsone of the most faithful and charismatic interpretations of steampunk, especially due to an incredibly strong and remarkable audiovisual style.
While I’m not the biggest fan of this genre, I couldn’t help but be enthralled by its composition. The game oozes personality both in narrative and gameplay, but its art is what has my real admiration.
If you have a few hours to spare, and you’re a fan of steampunk,Machinariumis one of those affable and entertaining titles that will undoubtedly bring life and entertainment to your weekend.
6Frostpunk
Heat Means Life
I’ve always foundmanagement gamesoverwhelming, so coming acrossFrostpunkwas not a pleasant experience at all.
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From city management to apocalyptic shooters, surviving in these games means very different things.
However, once I understood that this was the title’s goal, everything clicked for me. Coming fromThis War of Mine’s creators, the intention was always to make you feel the difficulties of surviving.
With its steampunk setting, which perfectly channels the relationship between the human desire to stay alive and the use of technology to achieve that end,it’s a compact work that has great ludonarrative coherence.
I suffer greatly every time I dare to play, but that’s why I play video games:to experience sensations as vivid as those you get withFrostpunk.
5Final Fantasy 6
Retro Steampunk
Final Fantasy 6
It’s been a long time since I was a regularFinal Fantasyplayer, but its early installments hold a special place in my heart, especiallyFinal Fantasy 6.
As my first exposure to the series,it’s a timeless classic whose charisma and style transcend the graphical and technological limitations of its day.
Being one of only two games on this list that came out in the ’90s is a great testament to its quality, as steampunk isn’t just about aesthetics, but also about approach.
With prominent themes such as exploitation, imperialist forces, and technology in an early stage of development,Final Fantasy 6is here, thanks to being a pioneer in the subgenre’s adaptation.
4Lies of P
The Greatest Souls-Like
Many studios over the past few years have attempted to emulate the Soulsborne formula, but I’d venture to say onlyLies of Phas captured it almost perfectly.
From level design to bosses, the quality of NEOWIZ’s work is incredibly high.Bloodborne’s Victorian influence blends perfectly with the game’s puppet-focused theme, including its remarkable story.
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Luckily, not every game in the genre is brutally difficult, and there are some that can get you integrated with it a bit more smoothly.
Beyond the substance ‘ergo’ replacing steam, the 19th-century setting with sci-fi and fantasy aspects is of the highest level,with a depth that allows them to oscillate between factories and castles without losing an ounce of visual identity.
Lies of P is thebest Souls-LikeI’ve had the gift of enjoying, and the city of Krat’s impressiveness has a lot to do with that statement.
3Thief: The Dark Project
Stealth’s Turning Point
Thief: The Dark Project
As the third stealth game to appear on this list, I think it’s clear I like the genre, but also that infiltration lends itself best to maximizing the greatness of steampunk.
Thus,Thief: The Dark Project is an icon of video games, mainly for offering endless creative gadgets that have allowed us to enjoy iconic and memorable stealth sequences.
Dealing with the social castes of a world driven by technology and magic is an experience like no other, but doing so at the hands of master thief Garrett feels even more special.
The entireThiefseries combines seemingly antagonistic concepts and eras to build a setting that has been outstanding for years, butThe Dark Projectis the pinnacle of it all.
An Influential Masterpiece
BioShockis a franchise deeply motivated by the steampunk genre, with its entire aesthetic revolving around retrofuturism under the art déco optic.
Belonging to one of thebest trilogies ever created, the series' first title became a video game legend, marking an entire generation of players and developers.
To achieve this,Rapture played a fundamental role, as it’s one of the most iconic settings in the industry. With its social, architectural, and even technological contrasts, it’s a complex city that takes many inspirations to form its unique identity.
If you add its wonderful story, characters, and narrative and its magnificent sequences that oscillate between action and terror to its audiovisual personality,you get a masterpiece.
1Dishonored
The Glory of Whalepunk
Dishonored
As aGOTY-worthy title of its year,Dishonoredis one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that make you deeply appreciate the nature of video games.
The way it uses the player’s actions as the engine to move the gears ofDunwall, its dynamic and turbulent setting,is an ode to the interaction characteristic of our medium.
The clothing, the technology, the architecture, and even the themes are honorable representatives of the steampunk genre, which it glorifies with an interpretation as unique as it is faithful.
As well as being one of thebest stealth games, with its tremendousopen linearityandmagnificent missions,Dishonoredhas one of the finest, most relevant, and most interesting settings of recent years, whose ability to evolve alongside the player will always be fantastic.
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