Cities Without Number vs Cyberpunk RED
Compare Cities Without Number and Cyberpunk RED side by side. See differences in complexity, dice, genre, cost, and more.
| Cities Without Number | Cyberpunk RED | |
|---|---|---|
| Genre | Cyberpunk | Cyberpunk |
| Play Style | Sandbox, Classless, Noir, Ascending AC | Combat-Heavy, Skill-Based, Gritty, Deadly, Lore-Heavy, Career-Based, Corruption, Faction Play, Crunchy, Beginner-Friendly, Licensed IP |
| Core Mechanic | 2d6 + attribute mod + skill for skill checks; d20 + modifiers vs. AC for combat. Edge and chrome (cyberware) add abilities and complications. Faction turn system runs corporate, gang, and government power struggles between sessions. Tag-based city generation creates districts and neighborhoods on the fly. | Stat + Skill + d10 against a Difficulty Value set by the GM (typically 13 for everyday tasks, scaling to 29 for legendary ones). Combat uses REF + weapon skill + d10 against a defender's active dodge or parry roll. Damage is rolled with d6s and reduced by armor at the hit location. Critical injuries are triggered when damage penetrates armor, rolled on a table with lasting mechanical effects. Humanity loss from cyberware installation tracks a character's slide toward cyberpsychosis. |
| Dice | 2d6 / d20 | d10 |
| Complexity | Medium | Medium |
| Accessibility | High | Medium |
| Runnability | Very High | High |
| License | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Cost | Free / $$ | $$ |
| Publisher | Sine Nomine Publishing | R. Talsorian Games |
| Year | 2023 | 2020 |
| Best For | Cyberpunk sandbox campaigns with comprehensive GM worldbuilding tools, faction turns, and noir-tinged urban adventure — fully compatible with Stars Without Number and Worlds Without Number. | Groups who want a streamlined cyberpunk experience with lethal combat, deep character roles, and a setting that bridges the classic Cyberpunk 2020 era to the world of Cyberpunk 2077. |
| Highlights | Free version is very generous, comprehensive sandbox and faction tools, seamlessly compatible with SWN/WWN family, noir investigation mechanics, detailed city generation system | Ten character roles each with a branching Role Ability that grows and changes as characters advance. Netrunning is redesigned to run in real-time alongside meatspace combat, keeping all players engaged. Lifepath system generates backstory events, enemies, allies, and romantic entanglements. Free Easy Mode starter rules available as a downloadable PDF. |
| Considerations | OSR combat can feel basic, cyberpunk genre may overlap with Shadowrun expectations, less support for narrative/story-arc campaigns | Hit location and armor tracking remain from Cyberpunk 2020, adding bookkeeping to combat. Night Market equipment tables use randomized availability that can frustrate players looking for specific gear. The Time of the Red setting deliberately limits high-end technology compared to the 2020 or 2077 eras, which may feel restrictive. |