If you haven’t watched the Ridley Scott’s 1982 sci-fi noir Blade Runner, please ask yourself why you haven’t then go rent it. Yes, Blade Runner is a dark and interesting movie, but what’s more appealing is the fact that its influence can be seen in modern video games even after being released over twenty years ago. But the echoes of Blade Runner and Rick Deckard can still be seen and heard in the modern world of games, because being a tough as nails robot hunting detective never goes out of style.
Experience the epic adventure of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic with a free game trial on Nintendo Switch Online in Europe. Play the full game at no extra cost from May 3-9.
RPGs are often huge, sprawling endeavours. With limited playtime, we have to choose wisely, so here's the best western RPGs available today.
"I started playing games yesterday" the List... Meh!
How about a few RPGs that deserve some love instead?
1 - Alpha Protocol - Now on GOG
2 - else Heart.Break()
3 - Shadowrun Trilogy
4 - Wasteland 2
5 - UnderRail
6 - Tyranny
7 - Torment: Tides of Numenera
And for a bonus game that flew under the radar:
8 - Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
Not only glorious jank, but the idea that the story can completely change depending on what you do, or say, or side with, makes it one of the most forward thinking games ever. The amount of story permutation is the equivalent of a Hitman level but in Story Form. And it wasn't just that the story changed, no, it was that you met completely new characters, or missed them, depending on your choices. Made Mass Effect feel static in comparison.
Alpha Protocol was absolutely glorious, indeed. And it was, and still is, more Next Gen than most anything out there these days. In this regard at least.
Pity.
Wealth of Geeks explores some of the best gaming romances that have stolen our hearts over the years.
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And people thought I was crazy for thinking Kyle Hyde looked liked Harrison Ford. I'm glad someone else can see it.
I certainly see a lot of similarities between Blade Runner and modern games, but I think a lot of that has to do with both pulling influence from similar sources. So much of what we experience now wouldn't be around (or would be massively different) if it weren't for Isaac Asimov and his work on the likes of I, Robot (huge inspiration for Philip K. Dick's story). And let's not forget about Arthur C. Clarke and Ray Bradbury! K. Dick has a huge influence on video games as well; there's no doubt about that...I just see Blade Runner as more of a stepping stone between generations. This is still an interesting discussion, however. And I must say: I never realized how much Kyle Hyde looks like Deckard!
This isn't really an article suggestion, but just for fun, I challenge you to find ways in which Brian Aldiss has influenced gaming. Heh.
Strangely for someone of my tastes, I only watched Blade Runner quite recently. I have read the Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? short story, though, and am a huge fan of Philip K. Dick in general. I do have to agree, however, that Blade Runner is really just part of an evolving tradition of storytelling, like games themselves. Influences like that can, should be and are everywhere. That's part of what makes it such an interesting industry for me.
Blade Runners an awesome movie