2017 video games that went under the radar

Ruiner | Reikon Games | PC, PS4, Xbox One

Ruiner is something unique in its own right. It’s a game that brings back cyberpunk from its 1980s heyday, where silent, masked protagonists traveled through the nightscape of industrial cities nearly a hundred years from now. These types of settings would even make Ridley Scott blush due to their noble nod toward genre foundations such as Shadowrun, Cyberpunk 2020, and Blade Runner.

Its almost hard not to drink Ruiner in, even as it delivers a brutal blow after brutal blow to unsuspecting players. Its visuals pour neon reds, blues, and pinks throughout to shock the senses as you wander through dungeons and streets. Every aspect of its aesthetics entices you to keep playing, from the use of bright red Chinese characters sprawling across the screen to the character’s mask suddenly saying “KILL” across his forehead. Even with its cable-choked walkways and hectic moments of combat, Ruiner is a visual masterpiece, one that somehow has managed to slide under the radar for many and even leaves some questioning what it is. It’s worth it to come find out.