Cyberpunk 2077 is now available, but while it may be breaking records when it comes to sales it's not without its criticisms. Many reviews say that Cyberpunk 2077 struggles with the ideas behind its cyberpunk genre, offering a stylish futuristic theme park over the political themes and ethos of the genre's origins. Those hoping for a more authentic cyberpunk experience are in luck, however. The Be a Better Cyberpunk bundle of indie games is now being offered through itch.io.
The Be a Better Cyberpunk bundle promises over $100 worth of cyberpunk games, music, and zines, with the specific intention of supporting LGBTQ+, BIPOC, and independent creators. The bundle asks for $60, the price of Cyberpunk 2077, though there's also a $10 alternative version for those on a budget. Games include the dark narrative experience _transfer, procedurally generated FPS nullpointer, story-driven puzzle game BIT RAT: Singularity, corporate management sim Spinnortality, and over a dozen more.
But the Be a Better Cyberpunk bundle isn't just about offering more authentic cyberpunk experiences and supporting indie creators. It's also a rebuke to Cyberpunk 2077 and its developer, CD Projekt Red. The bundle specifically cites CD Projekt Red's history of crunch culture, accusations of transphobia, as well as Cyberpunk 2077's in-game racist caricatures and in-game epilepsy triggers. The Be a Better Cyberpunk bundle is, in part, intended to "counteract the harm of 2077."
The Be a Better Cyberpunk bundle will remain online for the next 14 days, between December 10 and December 24. It's full of great games that revolve around the themes of identity, artificial intelligence, class, gender, transhumanism, and more. The cyberpunk genre is broad and full of diversity. Hopefully, the Be a Better Cyberpunk bundle helps a new wave of cyberpunk fans explore that diversity in style.