Cloudpunk

While waiting for Cyberpunk 2077 to drop or be told that the release date is moved to 2077 to make it more realistic and true to setting, I went in search for another cyberpunk styled game to cure my desire for the time being. In my search, I stumbled across the enticing Cloudpunk and decided to give it a download and a play, hoping it would give me a taste of a Cyberpunk 2077 pre-game lobby.

First Glances

Cloudpunk has an interesting and captivating art and game style. The cyberpunk aesthetic is definitely present, but it is given in a blocy, pixel constructed world. The construction of the world around you and your character would remind someone of a 3D, dystopian, cyberpunk Terraria. The character is played in third person, reminding me of a Grand Theft Auto playing style, even with some similar mechanics and objectives.

The art style itself is unique to say the least, but the game also offers an incredible original soundtrack. The music fits the game surprisingly well and helps in player immersion to truly feel the vibes of being in a cyberpunk world and going through the motions of the character.

Storyline & Background

Playing as a character named Rania, a cyborg human character (as you would expect in a cyberpunk themed game), you have the ability to explore the beautiful and diverse city of Nivalis. In the city, Rania (the player) works as a delivery driver for a delivery company name Cloudpunk, serving the people of Nivalis. The delivery company has questionable ethics and legality involved, with the delivery drivers being given a standard set of two rules: to never miss a delivery and to never ask what is in the package.

Similar Games

• Beyond a Steel Sky (2020)
• State of Mind (2018)
• Transient (2020)
• Parcel (2015)
• The Red Strings Club (2018)
• G String (2020)
• Protocol (2015)
• Technobabylon (2015)
• Tales of Esferia: Araxis (2020)
• Observer (2017)

Gameplay

Serving clients all over Nivalis, the player will meet many diverse, interesting, and memorable characters. Moving on foot or in the cloudpunk delivery vehicle, the player has the option to explore the world on Nivalis in between or even during deliveries (if you are fast enough, that is). While exploring the world and completing delivery missions, many characters can be interacted with, each having their own personality, story, and quirks to add to the ever unfolding mystery of Nivalis that Rania and the player become caught up in. From corporate conspiracies, rogue AI tormenting citizens, and hackers planning to overthrow the cyber territory, the city of Nivalis feels alive in the face of danger as Rania and the player learn just what they have gotten themselves into simply by being there.

Controls & Missions

Despite the game and its missions being very straightforward and A to B, the tasks can prove to be frustrating at times, still providing a sense of challenge and reward when completed. The busy highways of Nivalis are like a game of Frogger or Crossy Roads in India, being a game of luck or the roll of dice determining if the player will crash or not. As the player progresses, they will become more comfortable will controls and handling the car, of course, but the streets never clear and will make road rage rise in even the calmest of players. The game offers compatibility with keyboard and mouse or a controller, allowing for some great user choice in ease of play since there is no worry about competitive advantage, simply fun and adventure.

Overall Take

Cloudpunk serves as a great cyberpunk styled game for anyone looking for a simple game to constantly get rewarded in but keep mental gears turning. The player does not have to break a sweat attempting to get past missions but will stay on the edge of the seat wondering what will be uncovered next in the story.

Pros

• Unique art style
• Great soundtrack for immersion
• Interesting story line
• Straight forward objectives
• Player freedom to explore

Cons

• Walking simulator – not for everyone, can get boring at times
• Seemingly short play time
• Not challenging for challenge seeking gamers