I’ll be honest: when Elysium Game Studio first announced Neo Berlin 2087, my radar barely blinked. The project vanished for over a year-the kiss of death for many indie RPGs with big ambitions and small teams. But this new trailer, dropped right before Gamescom 2025, finally shows a game with real polish and a cyberpunk vibe that’s hard to ignore. And for anyone hungry for a slice of detective action in a futuristic Berlin, it’s impossible not to get at least a little curious.
The new teaser does a solid job at setting the noir tone—a detective named Nolan, a bit of Matrix/Morpheus cosplay with “Bryan,” and a city dripping with dystopian atmosphere. I was surprised by the facial animation work and the mood of the environments; for a small team, that’s no small feat. There’s even a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it introduction of “Phoenix,” whose model detail rivals what you see in far bigger productions.
If you’re a fan of Detroit: Become Human or BioWare’s Mass Effect, you’ll recognize the pitch: your choices matter, relationships shift, the world changes based on your decisions. Of course, anyone who’s been burned by “your choices really matter” marketing hype knows to approach such claims with healthy skepticism. Still, I have to give Elysium points for ambition—they’re not just slapping guns and trench coats on a Unity asset flip and calling it a day.
Let’s talk comparisons. This game desperately wants to stand with the likes of Cyberpunk 2077, Deus Ex, and the Matrix franchise. You can see it everywhere in the trailer—the trench-coated figures, cybernetic intrigue, tactical combat, and a future Berlin that’s equal parts beautiful and menacing. But here’s the thing: the weight of these comparisons is massive. Even Cyberpunk 2077, with CD Projekt Red’s vast resources, launched rough before clawing back credibility.
As much as I enjoy seeing new indie studios take a swing at AAA themes, I worry Neo Berlin 2087 might struggle under that weight. Will those dialogue choices be meaningful, or just window-dressing? Does switching between first and third person add depth, or feel like a tacked-on bullet point? We’ve seen plenty of “branching narrative” games that ended up barely more flexible than your average corridor shooter.
This trailer made one thing crystal clear: Neo Berlin 2087 cares about graphical fidelity. The lighting, facial capture, and city design are easily a cut above most indie fare. But the core gameplay loop—shootouts, chases, moral quandaries, and cinematic scenes—is what will make or break it. There’s potential here, but also a history of small teams biting off way more than they can chew in the RPG space.
Release date? Still unannounced. But with PS5, Xbox Series, and PC listed, Elysium is at least thinking multiplatform from the start. Given how many cyberpunk projects limp along in early access these days, it’s refreshing to see a team aiming for a real, full-scale launch—whenever that ends up being. If we see a playable demo at Gamescom or a surprise Steam Next Fest drop, then maybe I’ll move from intrigued to genuinely hyped.
At its best, Neo Berlin 2087 could scratch the itch for story-driven, choice-driven action that’s still missing from the newest AAA releases. At worst? It risks becoming another ambition-over-execution title lost in the growing cyberpunk pile. But if you crave narrative-heavy noire in a world that looks both stunning and strange, it’s worth keeping an eye on this one as Gamescom rolls around.
Neo Berlin 2087 has resurfaced with a slick trailer and huge aspirations. It’s oozing cyberpunk flavor and narrative promise—but whether it’s the next great indie RPG or just another “looks good in trailers” title will hinge on what gets shown (and played) at Gamescom. For now, stay intrigued, but keep your expectations grounded.
Get access to exclusive strategies, hidden tips, and pro-level insights that we don't share publicly.
Ultimate Gaming Strategy Guide + Weekly Pro Tips