Two worlds in one match
Dystopia is a first-person cyberpunk shooter built on the Source engine, and every match runs on two layers at once. You fight in the physical world as either a Punk mercenary or Corporate security, then use jack-in terminals to drop into cyberspace, a three-dimensional map of the network. Inside cyberspace you launch programs to hack systems that are linked back to the physical world, while enemy hackers try to stop you and keep their critical systems intact. Objectives are inter-linked: some can be finished entirely in one layer, others only by combining a physical move with a well-timed hack. That means a round is rarely won by shooting alone.
Playing as a group
Dystopia is online PvP with team-based play, so your group splits across the two sides and works toward the map's objectives together. The loadout system is class-based and highly configurable: 14 selectable implants let each player shape their role, and there are 12 primary weapons to build around. A heavily augmented combat mercenary holds ground in the real world, while a twitch-reflex cyberdecker races through nodes in cyberspace. Both jobs matter, and the store text is explicit that skillful use of the arsenal plus intelligent team play is what gets a team through. Expect to coordinate who pushes the physical objective, who covers the jack-in terminal, and who stays in the network defending systems.
Before you start
There are 12 maps, each with 3 to 5 unique objectives, so learning which objectives live in which layer is the main thing to figure out early. The game is free to play and focused on competitive multiplayer, with fast-paced arena shooting and a dark, violent tone. Combat is first-person and the pace is quick, so reflexes count on both sides of the jack-in. Pick a side, pick a role that suits how you like to play, and get used to switching attention between the firefight in front of you and the network you need to crack.