Cyberpunk 2020 vs Cyberpunk RED
Compare Cyberpunk 2020 and Cyberpunk RED side by side. See differences in complexity, dice, genre, cost, and more.
| Cyberpunk 2020 | Cyberpunk RED | |
|---|---|---|
| Genre | Cyberpunk | Cyberpunk |
| Play Style | Combat-Heavy, Skill-Based, Gritty, Deadly, Lore-Heavy, Career-Based, Corruption, Faction Play, Crunchy, Grimdark | Combat-Heavy, Skill-Based, Gritty, Deadly, Lore-Heavy, Career-Based, Corruption, Faction Play, Crunchy, Beginner-Friendly, Licensed IP |
| Core Mechanic | Stat + Skill + d10 against a difficulty value set by the GM (typically 15 for average tasks, scaling up to 30 for nearly impossible ones). Combat uses the same formula — REF + weapon skill + d10 against a target number modified by range. Hit location is rolled on a d10 table, and armor on each location absorbs damage separately. Cyberpsychosis tracks Humanity loss from cyberware installation, with characters losing Empathy as they augment. | 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 | d10 | d10 |
| Complexity | High | Medium |
| Accessibility | Low | Medium |
| Runnability | Medium | High |
| License | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Cost | $$ | $$ |
| Publisher | R. Talsorian Games | R. Talsorian Games |
| Year | 1993 | 2020 |
| Best For | Groups who want a gritty, lethal cyberpunk setting with deep character roles, detailed cybernetics and gear, and a world where style matters as much as firepower. | 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 | Nine distinct character roles (Rockerboy, Solo, Netrunner, Techie, Media, Cop, Corporate, Fixer, Nomad) each with a unique Special Ability. Lifepath system generates detailed backstories, allies, enemies, and romantic history. Extensive cyberware catalog with mechanical and narrative consequences. Night City setting is richly detailed with corporate profiles, gangs, and neighborhoods. | 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 | Netrunning subsystem operates on a separate timescale and can sideline other players during hacking sequences. Hit location and layered armor tracking add bookkeeping to every combat exchange. Rules for vehicle combat, martial arts, and fumbles are spread across multiple subsections with some inconsistencies between printings. | 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. |