https://www.cybersport.ru/games/articles/zheleznaya-pechen-i-bortovoi-psikholog-pyat-neobychnykh-augmentacii-iz-kiberpank-igr

Fashion glasses and a flight psychologist from Deus Ex: Human Revolution

The Deus Ex series is one of the icons of the cyberpunk video game, a true classic of the genre. This franchise seems to have everything that you can expect from the motto “High Tech, Low Life” – sinister megacorporations, terrible social stratification of society and, of course, a rich selection of augmentations for every taste, color and wallet.

Strictly speaking, it is around the cybernetic prostheses of the main characters that the gameplay and its features are built. For example, Human Revolution protagonist Adam Jensen has a mutation that allows him to install an almost unlimited amount of cybernetics into his body without the threat of rejection. Most of his augmentations are quite traditional – reinforced mechanical limbs or eyes with a virtual interface. But some are able to surprise, both from the good and from the bad side.

One of the very unusual modifications of the body is the social corrector K.E.S.I. This augmentation analyzes the people around, reveals their archetypes and allows you to more effectively influence the NPC – it suggests successful options for the lines: who should be pressed, and with whom, on the contrary, should be treated softer. This is a kind of virtual psychologist helping to find a common language. A very interesting device.

What, unfortunately, cannot be said about Adam’s glasses. If you have not played Deus Ex: Human Revolution or Mankind Divided, then you may not know that this is not just an accessory, but quite augmentation built into the hero’s head. Just imagine, someone really thought that sunglasses that slide out of the skull are a must in a world where there are serious problems with prosthetic survival. They’re supposedly protective, but let’s be honest – their real purpose is to make Jensen look cooler.

Adapter for Human Memory from Remember Me

The social proofreader from Deus Ex: Human Revolution is also a very gentle way to influence people. One might even say unusually soft for cyberpunk – a genre very far from humanism. In the same universe, there are devices that simply suppressed all free will, turning people into obedient and infinitely loyal robots.

However, this is not the limit. In most cases, the human brain is perceived as a simple computer that can be hacked as easily as any other technique. For example, Observer is almost entirely based on the fact that the main character is able to penetrate the minds of other people.

One of the unusual iterations of a similar function is the one from Remember Me. In this universe, people use the Sensin neuroimplant, which allows manipulating a person’s memory. That is, this is not just data extraction or digital zombification. The game shows the literal meaning of the phrase “We are our memories.” Removing unpleasant passages of memory becomes a new drug, and by changing a few small details in them, you can almost completely rewrite the personality.

Iron liver for bartender from VA-11 Hall-A

While some are changing people’s lives, rewriting their memory or overthrowing mega-corporations, others do it by mixing drinks. VA-11 Hall-A is a blend of visual novel and bartender simulator. That is, the whole gameplay is reduced to the correct customer service and listening to their stories.

We do this on behalf of Jill, one of the employees of VA-11 Hall-A bar. The girl is distinguished not only by the ability to listen and mix drinks, but also by an iron liver – literally. The girl has augmentation, which is many times more effective in coping with the functions of its natural counterpart. Because of this, Jill gets drunk much more slowly – very convenient for a bartender, very uneconomical for an alcoholic. Gift and curse in one bottle.

An adrenaline rush from Invisible, Inc.

Speaking of substances, they have always been an integral part of cyberpunk. Because where there is social decline, there is also a chemical way to escape from it. Pharmaceutical corporations are always ready to provide their customers with a wide range of different drugs, from simple cough pills to those that will grow you an extra hand to pat you on the back.

Despite such an assortment, in games, pharmacological implants are usually limited to the function of supporting health – they inject medicinal compounds into the body that restore HP. Somewhat less common are augmentations that have a different effect on the body – increase strength, speed, or something else.

A completely canonical example of such a device can be found in Nika Muratova, an agent from the game Invisible, Inc. With the help of an implant, she can inject pure adrenaline into her body, becoming much more effective for a limited time. “And what is its singularity?” – you ask. The fact is that Nika is one of the few video game characters who use such a serious device for amusement. And this little detail turns combat augmentation into a portable source … Let’s just say it’s like connecting a coffee machine to the circulatory system – a boost of vivacity at the cost of health.

Extra stomach for worms from System Shock 2

System Shock 2 is not the most common cyberpunk game, some would even quite rightly attribute it to more classic science fiction. There are adventures in space, a starship and alien (to some extent) creatures. On the other hand, there are also many cyberpunk motives – a crazy artificial intelligence, a hacker-hero and an evil corporation, where is it without it.

Since System Shock 2 is an ambiguous game in terms of genre, you can find appropriate augmentations in it. Take WormBlood, for example. This is not a cybernetic prosthesis we are used to, but a kind of additional organ that can recycle alien organisms, using their regenerative abilities on the carrier. That is, this is a first-aid kit that feeds on worms. Nice, isn’t it?

Yes, the world of cyberpunk is completely insane and, apparently, will get even crazier with the release of Cyberpunk 2077. CD Projekt RED keeps a lot of secrets, but this list will definitely have to be updated in November. At the very least, you will need to find out why the inhabitants of Night City are so attracted to Mr. Studd and Midnight Lady, which are installed in the groin area. Which video game augmentations do you remember the most? Write in the comments.