AI pulls the strings: Cyberpunk strategy game drops below $9 for the first time on Steam

Heart of the Machine comes with a rather unusual premise: The protagonist is an artificial intelligence that awakens in a small laboratory in the middle of a run-down cyberpunk metropolis. The city itself is controlled by powerful corporations, while large parts of the population live under difficult conditions. As a newly awakened AI, players must first secure their own existence and expand their influence without attracting too much attention. What happens next largely depends on their moral compass: They can protect humanity, pull the strings from behind the scenes or build an entire army of machines to seize control of the city themselves.

In terms of gameplay, Heart of the Machine offers a rather ambitious mix of genres, combining everything from 4X strategy and city building to turn-based tactics and RPG elements. Instead of building a city from scratch, players gradually infiltrate an existing metropolis. To do this, they can spread their AI consciousness across androids, robots, vehicles and even massive mechs. These machines perform different tasks, research new technologies, infiltrate buildings or engage in tactical battles against enemy units.

As the AI becomes more powerful, its influence over the city grows. Players can establish secret production facilities, take over enemy installations and continuously expand their network. However, violence isn't always necessary. Instead of relying on an army of machines, they can also reshape the city through diplomacy, economic influence or social projects.

In its review, The Wand Report particularly praised the enormous freedom of choice, successful genre combination and surprisingly accessible introduction. However, the many interconnected systems require some time to master, while the sprawling city can initially feel a little overwhelming, according to the publication. Ultimately, the reviewers awarded the game an impressive 9 out of 10 points. The unusual concept has also been very well received by the Steam community, with 91% of more than 2,600 user reviews being positive.

First-ever 70% discount on Steam

Heart of the Machine normally costs just under $30 on Steam. However, a 70% discount brings the price down to $8.99 until October 26. According to SteamDB, the previous maximum discount was 65%, making the current offer a new all-time low. On the Steam Deck, Heart of the Machine is rated "Verified" and should run without issues.

Disclaimer: Notebookcheck is not responsible for price changes carried out by retailers. The discounted price or deal mentioned in this item was available at the time of writing and may be subject to time restrictions and/or limited unit availability.

As a child in the 90s, my Gameboy was my steady companion. After school, the PlayStation was fired up. When I finally got my first PC, I was completely hooked. My passion for gaming has never waned since. For me, writing for Notebookcheck means reporting on topics that are really close to my heart - in addition to gaming, I also like to write about e-mobility, photovoltaics and innovative gadgets. When I'm not sitting at my computer, I'm probably on water rescue duty on the Baltic coast or trying to counteract the downsides of my geek life - namely sitting for long periods - at the local swimming pool.