Be it book, film or any other medium, share your favorite works of the genre (and why it’s your favorite!)
As could probably be guessed by the fact that I chose this name for an instance, Neuromancer and the rest of the sprawl trilogy are still the books that defines the genre for me. The descriptions of the physical world are still feel real and plausible today, making them remarkably prescient for their time, and the descriptions of cyberspace as a near-physical space that you occupy when jacked in, but in an abstract way that, perhaps ironically, feels more real to me than the more immersive version of cyberspace in books like Snow Crash.
I finished reading Neuromancer a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it. I’m thinking of picking the second volume in a few weeks as i’ve heard it’s even better. Any opinions on that? Also i am open to CP books recommendations as it is a genre i love in modern media!! I also obviously love both blade runner movies, always go to see them when the theater does a screening. And absolutely fell in love with the videogame CP2077 despite the drama surrounding it, i think its the second game ever i ever got to 100% completion!! Very generic answer i know but i would love to dig deeper if anyone has any suggestion!!
For some reason I never read Count Zero, but I really enjoyed the third one, Mona Lisa Overdrive. It certainly seemed as good as Neuromancer to me, and had a nice plot and a good group of really cool diverse characters.
Nothing against all the many many Cyperpunk works that came later, but this seminal trilogy is a great way to get introduced to the genre. I really like William Gibson’s writing style, although he is no technical master of the written word…he just writes with a very cool vibe, and I like the way he describes things, and slowly reveals a books plot over time.
Personally, the book Hardwired and movie Logan’s Run had the biggest effect on me. eXistenZ came close as well, and Neuromancer and it’s sequels are classics. As far as ttrpgs, Shadowrun and Cyberpunk have unique things to offer, but I continually find myself drawn to the “stranger in a strange land” trope perpetuated by the show Futurama and tabletop games like Metamorphosis Alpha and Journey to the Barrier Peaks.
I think the fact that I’m the creator and moderator of [email protected] kinda speaks for itself.
This might be cliché, but I really like the 1995 Ghost in the Shell film. The spider tank, the depictions of firearms, the excellent soundtrack, and most interestingly its depiction of AGI. I’m forgetting a lot of the reasons I like it and should go see it again.
I read your rules but I’ll have to say it:
- Cyberpunk 2077 was my first big dip into the genre and man, did it stick!
Aside from that:
- The Ascent (another game) was also a really great game with a fantastic looking environment and good worldbuilding.
- As for a TV series, I loved Altered Carbon (only seen season 1),but man. It. Is. Awesome! Greatly recommend, if you haven’t seen it yet (was on Netflix, I think?)
Ghostrunner had a great world. The concept of “The Tower” and the power structure really resonated with me. Gameplay was also very fun and visually interesting.
Another great Cyberpunk game I enjoyed was VA-11 Hall-A (aka Waifu Bartending). It was a cool world and concept - great to unwind at night to.
