Cyberpunk 2077: Complete Review and Analysis

After years of updates, patches, and expansions, Cyberpunk 2077 has transformed from a controversial launch into one of the most compelling RPGs of the decade. But does it finally live up to the massive hype that surrounded its initial release?

The Story: Night City's Dark Heart

Cyberpunk 2077 throws you into the neon-soaked streets of Night City as V, a mercenary with dreams of making it big in the criminal underworld. The narrative takes a dramatic turn when a heist goes wrong, leaving V with an experimental biochip containing the digital ghost of legendary rockerboy Johnny Silverhand, voiced masterfully by Keanu Reeves.

The main storyline is a compelling meditation on mortality, identity, and what it means to be human in a world where technology has blurred those lines. The relationship between V and Johnny forms the emotional core of the game, with their conflicting personalities and goals creating genuine tension and character development.

Side quests in Cyberpunk 2077 are where the game truly shines. Each feels meaningful and well-crafted, often featuring complex moral choices with no clear right answers. Characters like Panam Palmer, Judy Alvarez, and River Ward are fully realized individuals with their own motivations and story arcs that rival the main quest in quality.

Gameplay: Style and Substance

The gameplay in Cyberpunk 2077 blends first-person shooting, stealth mechanics, and RPG progression in ways that feel fresh and engaging. The game offers multiple approaches to most situations - you can go in guns blazing, hack your way through enemies using the intricate Netrunning system, or use stealth and social engineering to achieve your goals.

Character builds are incredibly diverse. You can focus on:

• Netrunning: Become a master hacker, taking control of cameras, turrets, and even enemy cyberware
• Street Combat: Specialize in various weapon types from smart guns to traditional firearms
• Stealth: Move through shadows, using non-lethal takedowns and avoiding detection
• Techie: Craft powerful weapons and breach advanced security systems
• Solo: Enhance your body with cyberware to become a walking weapon

The progression system rewards experimentation, and you're never locked into a single playstyle. The addition of cyberware implants adds another layer of customization, allowing you to enhance your abilities in meaningful ways.

Technical Performance: Night and Day

It's impossible to discuss Cyberpunk 2077 without addressing its technical state. The game that launched in 2020 was plagued with bugs, performance issues, and missing features. However, CD Projekt RED has spent years addressing these problems, and the current version is dramatically improved.

On modern hardware, Cyberpunk 2077 is visually stunning. Ray tracing implementation creates incredibly realistic lighting and reflections that bring Night City to life. The level of detail in the city is breathtaking - from the bustling markets of Watson to the corporate towers of City Center, every district feels unique and lived-in.

Performance has been optimized significantly across all platforms. Console versions that were nearly unplayable at launch now run smoothly, while PC players can enjoy enhanced visual features and better frame rates.

Night City: A Living, Breathing World

Night City is arguably the real star of Cyberpunk 2077. The city feels dense and atmospheric, with different districts each having their own personality and culture. From the corporate clean lines of Westbrook to the industrial grit of Santo Domingo, the environmental storytelling is exceptional.

The city's verticality adds to the immersion - you can traverse multiple levels of the urban landscape, from street level to towering skyscrapers. The day/night cycle and weather effects create different moods and opportunities for gameplay.

NPC behavior and crowd density have been improved significantly since launch. While not perfect, the city now feels more alive with pedestrians going about their business and traffic that responds more naturally to player actions.

Audio and Visual Design: Masterclass in Atmosphere

Cyberpunk 2077's audiovisual presentation is outstanding. The soundtrack, composed by Marcin Przybyłowicz, creates the perfect cyberpunk atmosphere with a mix of electronic, rock, and orchestral elements. Licensed tracks from artists like Run the Jewels and Grimes add authenticity to the world.

Voice acting across the board is excellent, with standout performances from Cherami Leigh (female V), Gavin Drea (male V), and of course, Keanu Reeves as Johnny Silverhand. The dialogue feels natural and the emotional beats land effectively.

Visually, the game's art direction is cohesive and striking. The neon-drenched aesthetic never feels overwhelming, and the character and vehicle designs perfectly capture the cyberpunk genre's themes of high tech and low life.

Phantom Liberty: The Perfect Addition

The Phantom Liberty expansion showcases Cyberpunk 2077 at its absolute best. The spy thriller storyline featuring Keanu Reeves and Idris Elba is tightly written and expertly paced. New gameplay mechanics, including enhanced vehicle combat and stealth options, feel like natural evolution of the base game.

The expansion also introduces significant quality-of-life improvements and new systems that enhance the overall experience, even for players who stick to the base game content.

Areas for Improvement

While Cyberpunk 2077 has come a long way, it's not without flaws:

• AI behavior, while improved, still feels scripted in many situations
• Some promised features from pre-launch marketing are still missing
• Certain side content can feel repetitive after extended play
• The wanted system and police response could use further refinement

Final Verdict

Cyberpunk 2077 in its current state is the game many hoped it would be at launch. The compelling story, engaging gameplay systems, and breathtaking world design create an experience that's genuinely special. While it took time to reach this point, the journey has been worth it.

For newcomers, there's never been a better time to experience Night City. For those burned by the original launch, the game has evolved enough to warrant a second look. Cyberpunk 2077 stands as a testament to what's possible when developers commit to realizing their vision, even when the path is difficult.