What Is The Setting Of 'Done And Dusted'?

'Done and Dusted' throws you into this gritty, neon-lit cyberpunk world where megacorporations run everything from behind their towering skyscrapers. The streets are packed with hustlers, hackers, and rebels trying to scrape by or tear the system down. It’s not just about flashy tech—it’s about survival. The protagonist operates in this shadowy underworld, taking jobs that toe the line between legal and lethal. Think rainy alleyways, black-market deals, and augments that cost more than a lifetime’s wages. The setting’s got this oppressive vibe where freedom’s an illusion, but the characters fight anyway. It’s raw, chaotic, and utterly immersive.

The world of 'Done and Dusted' is a masterclass in dystopian storytelling. Imagine a near-future Earth where climate collapse and corporate greed have reshaped society into layers of extreme privilege and brutal poverty. The wealthy live in floating arcologies above the smog, while the rest drown in the ruins of old cities. The story’s main hub is Nexus-7, a sprawling metropolis built on the bones of what was once Tokyo. Its districts each have distinct flavors—Kowloon-style slums packed with makeshift homes, neon-drenched entertainment zones where anything can be bought, and corporate enclaves guarded by private armies.

What makes the setting stand out is how history bleeds into the present. Ancient shrines stand between holographic ads, their priests now peddling cyberware blessings. The food stalls sell lab-grown meat skewers beside vending machines dispensing combat drugs. Even the language reflects this clash—a mix of corporate English, street slang, and fragments of lost languages. The environmental storytelling is phenomenal, with every graffiti tag or news broadcast hinting at deeper conflicts. The protagonist’s journey through this world feels organic because the setting reacts to their choices—allies might get disappeared if you draw too much heat, and safe houses can become war zones overnight.

For those who love detailed world-building, this setting rewards careful reading. The author drops subtle hints about global events through background chatter and discarded datapads. You piece together how the world fell apart while the characters fight to survive in its wreckage. It’s bleak but mesmerizing, with pockets of beauty—like rooftop gardens maintained by refugees or underground jazz clubs where revolutionaries trade secrets. The setting doesn’t just backdrop the action; it fuels it.

I adore how 'Done and Dusted' turns cyberpunk tropes into something fresh. The setting isn’t just another Blade Runner knockoff—it’s got personality. Take the Black Market District, where vendors hawk everything from vintage vinyl to illegal brain mods. The air smells like fried dough and ozone, and the streets are a maze of hidden passages known only to locals. The corporate zones? Sterile nightmares of glass and surveillance, where employees wear mandated smiles and their augments track productivity.

Small details make it feel alive. Rainwater drips through cracks in abandoned subway tunnels, forming makeshift bars where outcasts trade stories. Hackers use old library terminals as dead drops because no one thinks to monitor ‘obsolete’ tech. Even the wildlife’s adapted—genetically altered crows steal shiny objects for nests made of wire.

The social dynamics are razor-sharp. There’s no clear ‘resistance versus oppressors’ line—it’s factions within factions. A gang protecting their turf might also smuggle medicine to slums. A corporate exec could be plotting against their own board. This moral grayness elevates the setting beyond typical dystopias. When the protagonist navigates it, every decision carries weight. Trust the wrong fixer, and you wake up in an organ harvesting clinic. Help the right stranger, and they might rewrite your biometrics to hide you from facial recognition. It’s thrilling.