Cyberpunk 2020

Cyberpunk 2020

Cyberpunk 2020 is street-level sci-fi with bite. You play mercs, hackers, and fixers trying to get paid in a city run by megacorps. Sessions feel tight and tense, full of neon, noise, and hard bargains. Jobs range from data theft to bodyguard work to messy clean-up when a deal goes south. The appeal is straightforward: make bold choices, upgrade your chrome, and see how far your crew will go. It is stylish, violent, and human, with consequences that matter.

It works well for curious first-timers and veterans who enjoy tactical choices. A professional Game Master keeps the rules light when you need speed and delves deep when you want crunch. Ideal for one-night heists, thrilling birthdays, and team events that require planning under pressure. Expect adult themes and a gritty tone. Play in person or online. If you want a specific vibe—stealthy, loud, or cerebral—browse our Game Masters and choose someone whose style suits your crew.

How to play Cyberpunk 2020

Most actions use a straightforward test. Roll a ten-sided die, add a relevant stat and skill, and aim to meet the difficulty set by the Game Master. On your turn, you describe your actions, the GM outlines the stakes, you roll, and then you all play out the results. Combat uses initiative to determine the order, after which you can move, attack, or take cover. Weapons deal significant damage, armour absorbs some of it, and injuries are important, so planning and cover are essential.

You create a character with a distinct role such as Solo, Netrunner, Tech, Nomad, or Fixer, along with a brief idea of their style. Select a couple of signature tools, a look, and a reason for taking the job. The Game Master provides the mission, maps or zones, NPCs with strong motives, and safety tools. A one-shot is a focused job that requires quick preparation and has a clear conclusion. A campaign tracks reputation, rival crews, larger paydays, and the impact of cyberware on body and mind.

For online play, the GM may use a virtual tabletop for maps, autofire, and gear, or keep it theatre of the mind for speed. Expect handouts, audio, and clear visuals in either case. If you want to see what tools are commonly used for remote sessions, visit online play platforms.

Game Master moves a large miniature across a lava-themed battle map during a fantasy roleplaying encounter.
Game Master moves a large miniature across a lava-themed battle map during a fantasy roleplaying encounter.
A red, marble-textured ten-sided dice showing the numbers 5 and 9 in gold, used for tabletop RPG adventure games.
A red, marble-textured ten-sided dice showing the numbers 5 and 9 in gold, used for tabletop RPG adventure games.
Close-up of a red 12-sided die with gold numbers, used for fun fantasy board games.

Common questions

Do we need to know any rules to get started?

Not at all. A professional Game Master teaches the basics in minutes, then guides you as you play. They explain options before the dice come out, call for rolls when the stakes matter, and handle the calculations. Premade characters are available, or you can create one quickly with a Lifepath that provides you with contacts and challenges. Expect a moderate level of complexity that unfolds in small steps. You will feel at home by the first scene.

What distinguishes Cyberpunk 2020 from D&D?

There’s no magic, and firearms dictate the tempo. Skills are more important than classes, and equipment and cyberware define your advantage. Taking cover and positioning yourself is more effective than facing off directly. Jobs revolve around legwork, heists, protection, and tough negotiations, rather than dungeon delving. Decisions have social consequences that linger. Character creation employs a Lifepath, linking your past to allies, foes, and habits that the GM incorporates into the game.

Is combat truly lethal, and how do you manage that?

Indeed, firefights can be brutal. A lucky shot or a burst of fire can take anyone down. While armour provides some protection, it can wear out, and injuries can accumulate quickly. The GM clarifies the stakes before you take action, allowing you to choose effective tactics such as taking cover, suppressing fire, retreating, or negotiating. Medical assistance is available, but timing and accessibility are crucial. The atmosphere is tense yet fair, with safety tools tailored to your group’s comfort while ensuring the threat remains significant.

How does netrunning function without sidelining others?

Classic netrunning can be a puzzle in its own right. Your GM executes hacks on the same timeline as the team, with clear objectives, quick rolls, and regular cutbacks to the action. Other players remain engaged by providing intel, protecting the hacker, or creating distractions. Complex intrusions can be prepared as legwork to maintain the mission's momentum. For remote sessions, popular virtual tabletops facilitate mapping and dice rolling. See examples on online play platforms.

What types of characters can we play?

Iconic roles include Solo, Netrunner, Tech, Nomad, Fixer, Cop, Media, Rockerboy, and Corporate. Each has a distinct focus, ranging from gunfighting to hacking to social influence. You don’t need a perfect mix; two Techs or two Solos can still excel with different approaches. Premade sheets are available, or you can roll a Lifepath for connections and backstory that ground you in the city and enhance gameplay.

What group size and session length are most effective here?

Three to five players is the ideal number for spotlight and tactics. Two is suitable for stealthy jobs. Six works well with short turns and tight objectives. A one-shot typically lasts 3 to 4 hours, which is enough for briefing, legwork, the operation, and fallout. Campaign sessions can extend longer as contacts and rivals develop. To find a GM whose pacing aligns with your group, browse available Game Masters.

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Genres you can play in Cyberpunk 2020

  • Cyberpunk

    Neon nights, buzzing servers, and tough decisions. You take on the roles of hackers, street samurai, and fixers executing jobs for and…

    View genre: Cyberpunk
  • Gritty

    Difficult decisions, limited resources, and lasting consequences. Picture Game of Thrones, where trust is tenuous, debts must be repaid…

    View genre: Gritty
  • Crime

    Pull off a clever heist, track down a killer, or navigate the mob's code. Crime games balance strategy, pressure, and morally ambiguous…

    View genre: Crime
  • Heist

    Gather the team, scout the target, and execute the heist. Picture Ocean's Eleven, complete with ingenious strategies, skilled roles, narrow…

    View genre: Heist
  • Dystopian

    Struggle to breathe in a world that monitors your every action, think 1984. Conceal, hack, and resist as you navigate oppressive laws…

    View genre: Dystopian
  • Espionage

    Tradecraft, dead drops, double agents, and high-stakes decisions under pressure. Imagine Mission: Impossible at the table, where every…

    View genre: Espionage
  • Conspiracy

    Unravel layers of deception as you follow leads through dimly lit rooms, encrypted files, and betrayals. Paranoia escalates with each clue…

    View genre: Conspiracy
  • Noir

    Neon, rain, and poor choices. Noir places you in the role of a weary detective or a doomed con artist in a city that conceals its decay…

    View genre: Noir

What players have to say

  • Tom was brilliant! He was really great with the kids and very patient with his explanations. It was a wonderful evening and definitely worth doing again! The children asked the next day when we would be doing this again.

    Danny

  • First of all, I want to say that Sebastian was really great as a DM. For his first run as a booked DM, he did an excellent job. The 3 stars refer to the following: 1. We were disappointed that the adventure was labelled a One Shot yet wasn't a complete story. Discovering that there are two more parts wasn't very positive for us, as it meant there was no satisfying conclusion to the story. 2. As new players, it was difficult for us to understand the English character sheets in such a short time. In German, it would have been much easier. Even receiving the character sheets a few days in advance would have been helpful for preparation. 3. More guidance would be beneficial. Especially for beginners, a more linear one shot would have been preferable. We wasted a significant portion of the adventure time doing unnecessary things because we didn't fully understand how the game worked. Overall, I think the StoryForgers concept is really good and I see a lot of potential in it, especially for introducing new players to D&D. I hope you don't take my feedback the wrong way but see it as honest criticism. Best regards, Mario

    Mario

  • Bryan was exceptional. We had a group with varying levels of experience, and he managed to keep everyone engaged and involved. His positive attitude made the game enjoyable for all. I really appreciated how he could clearly explain what was needed from our less experienced players while keeping our more seasoned players on their toes with his deep knowledge of the game. Everyone in our party had a fantastic time thanks to Bryan.

    Jeremy

  • Dayron was fantastic. Well-prepared, punctual, and had a brilliant sense of humour.

    Corey

  • Dayron was fantastic; he provided a brilliant experience. Thanks!

    Casey

    The Merry Meeple

  • The game was really engaging. I got a game as a present for my boyfriend, who is very keen on it, and he was very pleased and appreciated Leonardo's professionalism. I don't have much experience with DnD, but I found the game to be quite straightforward and enjoyable.

    Marina

  • Baptiste was an excellent GM who adapted well to our group and helped us progress in this one-shot. However, there was one issue with the character sheets provided, as they were not complete or clear. Some of the French translations were rather approximate. For instance, our cleric was missing spells, including a healing spell, even though they were meant to have some.

    Pierre

  • Rachel was fantastic; my daughter and her friends left the game saying it was the most fun they’d ever had, and my daughter wanted to sign up for another session with her straight away. She was friendly, and her approach let the players fully immerse themselves in the game by giving them control over how they wanted their actions to unfold. I would definitely work with her again.

    John

  • A nice and clear first experience with D&D. Amber was able to explain and guide the game effectively, allowing us as players to quickly get into the flow and focus on the story. Collaborating with my colleagues to devise attack routes was an enjoyable activity and provided great insights into each other's characters, thought processes, and differences. Overall, I found it to be a very enjoyable session.

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

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    Take control of the neon sprawl with Cyberpunk RED, the near-future game featuring mercs, megacorps, and tough decisions from R. Talsorian Games. Experience fast, lethal action, cutting-edge technology, and high-stakes heists. If you're familiar with Cyberpunk 2077, you'll recognise the grit and flair.

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    View system: Shadowrun
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    View system: Blades in the Dark
  • Fiasco

    • Crime +6
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    View system: Fiasco
  • Genesys

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    View system: Genesys
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    View system: Paranoia
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    Drift the fringes as outlaw spacers balancing jobs, debts, and heartache. Orbital Blues is a rules-light space western filled with heists, narrow escapes, and found family. Imagine Cowboy Bebop, then make it your own across dusty ports and neon dives.

    View system: Orbital Blues
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