Cyberpunk 2077

Developer: CD PROJEKT RED
Release: Dec 9th 2020
Platforms:
RPG
Immersive
Narrative-driven
Customizable
Buggy
Performance-heavy
Cyberpunk 2077 Poster

" Immersive cyberpunk RPG with rich story and diverse combat but occasional bugs and AI flaws "

Cyberpunk 2077 Review

Cyberpunk 2077 experienced a notoriously rocky launch in 2020, plagued by bugs, performance issues, and missing features, especially on last-gen consoles. However, over the years, through numerous patches and the critically acclaimed Phantom Liberty expansion, the game has transformed into a polished, immersive RPG. Players praise its richly detailed Night City, compelling narrative, and deep customization options that allow for diverse playstyles ranging from stealthy netrunner to full-on combat specialist.

The storyline, featuring memorable characters like Johnny Silverhand (voiced by Keanu Reeves), is emotionally resonant and morally complex, with choices that carry significant weight and multiple endings. Combat is tight and rewarding, blending gunplay, hacking, and melee. While some players still note occasional bugs and AI quirks, these are minor compared to the improvements made. The game’s atmosphere, soundtrack, and world-building are often highlighted as standout elements, making Cyberpunk 2077 a redemption story and a must-play for fans of narrative-driven open-world RPGs.

Highlights

Players consistently praise Cyberpunk 2077's immersive world-building and visually stunning Night City, which feels alive and detailed.

The storyline and character development, especially the presence of Johnny Silverhand and deep side quests, receive high acclaim for emotional depth and complexity.

Gameplay mechanics, including the revamped combat system and extensive customization through skill trees and cyberware, offer varied and engaging playstyles.

The Phantom Liberty DLC is recognized as a significant enhancement that completes and elevates the overall experience.

Criticisms

Despite major improvements, some players report lingering bugs and glitches, such as NPC pathfinding issues, occasional crashes, and quest-related bugs that can disrupt gameplay.

AI behavior and open-world interactions sometimes feel underdeveloped or static, with law enforcement and random encounters lacking depth.

Vehicle handling, particularly cars, has been criticized for unrealistic physics.

Some find the main story pacing uneven, with long cutscenes and limited dialogue choices, and romance options are seen as underwhelming.

Additionally, the first-person perspective may not appeal to all, with some players wishing for a third-person option.

Pros

  • Immersive and richly detailed Night City environment captivates players.
  • Deep, emotionally resonant storyline with meaningful player choices.
  • Strong character development, especially Johnny Silverhand's role.
  • Diverse and customizable combat styles including hacking and melee.
  • Phantom Liberty expansion adds significant content and depth.
  • Outstanding soundtrack enhances the cyberpunk atmosphere.
  • High-quality voice acting brings characters to life.

Cons

  • Lingering bugs and glitches occasionally disrupt gameplay.
  • AI behavior and NPC interactions can feel artificial or limited.
  • Vehicle physics, especially cars, are often unrealistic and frustrating.
  • Main story pacing sometimes suffers due to lengthy cutscenes.
  • Romance options lack depth and meaningful development.
  • First-person perspective may not suit all player preferences.
  • Open world can feel static with shallow random encounters.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world, action-adventure RPG set in the dark future of Night City — a dangerous megalopolis obsessed with power, glamor, and ceaseless body modification.

Release Date Dec 9th 2020
Publisher CD PROJEKT RED
Developer CD PROJEKT RED
Required Age 17+
Platforms

User Reviews

Very Positive (332,568)
88% Positive 12% Negative

Online Reviews

Metacritic logo
Metacritic
86