Cyberpunk 2077 is a 2020 action RPG by CD Projekt Red, set in the dystopian world of Night City, California. Players control V, a mercenary who becomes intertwined with the engram of Johnny Silverhand (voiced by Keanu Reeves), a legendary rockstar and terrorist. As Johnny’s consciousness begins to overwrite V's, they must work together to survive and separate their identities.
The game, based on Mike Pondsmith's Cyberpunk tabletop series, was developed by a team of around 500 people using the REDengine 4. After years of anticipation, it was released in December 2020, followed by updates for next-gen consoles in 2022. Although praised for its narrative, setting, and visuals, Cyberpunk 2077 faced criticism for bugs, particularly on older consoles, leading to its temporary removal from the PlayStation Store. The game’s development cost over $436 million and by November 2024, it had sold over 30 million copies. An expansion, Phantom Liberty, was released in 2023, and a sequel, codenamed Project Orion, was announced in 2022.
Cyberpunk 2077 Gameplay: Cyberpunk 2077 Nudity
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action RPG set in the futuristic city of Night City, where players take on the role of V, a customizable mercenary. The game allows you to modify V’s appearance, background, and attributes, such as Body, Intelligence, Reflexes, and Cool, catering to different playstyles. The Phantom Liberty expansion introduces the new Relic attribute, adding more depth to character customization.
Players can choose from three playstyles: Netrunner (hacking), Engineer (tech), and Solo (combat). Combat is dynamic, with abilities like double-jumping and sliding, all enhanced by cyberware implants. The game offers a variety of weapons, including melee and ranged options, with unique features like ricochet bullets, wall-piercing, and homing shots.
The expansive open world consists of six districts, including City Centre, Pacifica, and Santo Domingo, each offering distinct environments and missions. Players can explore on foot or in customizable vehicles, navigating through dynamic weather and a day-night cycle that impacts gameplay. Side quests help players build street cred, unlocking new abilities and equipment.
The game also includes minigames like hacking, racing, and boxing, along with the unique Braindance mechanic that lets players experience other people’s memories. With branching dialogue and multiple endings, Cyberpunk 2077 offers a rich, customizable experience that constantly evolves with updates and expansions.
Cyberpunk 2077 Builds
Cyberpunk 2077 is set in the high-tech, dystopian world of Night City, a sprawling metropolis in the Free State of North California. The city is dominated by corporations and plagued by rampant violence and cybernetic addiction. Despite advanced robotics managing basic services, cyberpsychosis mental instability caused by cybernetic enhancements affects many, creating chaos. The MaxTac police force is tasked with controlling these threats.
Players control V, a customizable mercenary whose story is shaped by player choices. V is accompanied by Johnny Silverhand (voiced by Keanu Reeves), a former rockstar and activist whose mind exists as a digital engram. Key allies include Jackie Welles, V’s loyal friend, T-Bug, a hacker, and Dexter DeShawn, a fixer who gets V involved in high-risk jobs. The game also features powerful figures like the Arasaka Corporation family, including Saburo Arasaka and his children, Yorinobu and Hanako.
The game offers multiple endings based on your decisions, creating a dynamic experience where each choice impacts the outcome.
Cyberpunk 2077 Plot Overview
In Cyberpunk 2077, the player controls V, a mercenary in Night City, who can choose one of three lifepaths: Nomad, Streetkid, or Corpo. Regardless of their background, V's journey unfolds with Jackie Welles, a fellow mercenary, and T-Bug, a netrunner, as they take on a dangerous job for the fixer Dexter "Dex" DeShawn. Their mission to steal the Relic biochip from the Arasaka Corporation quickly goes wrong when they witness the murder of Saburo Arasaka, the megacorp's leader. V and Jackie escape, but Jackie is fatally wounded, and V is forced to insert the damaged biochip into their own body.
Johnny Silverhand (voiced by Keanu Reeves), a rockstar and anti-corporate activist, haunts V as a digital ghost, having died in 2023. V is then rescued by Goro Takemura, Saburo’s bodyguard, who reveals that the biochip saved V's life but is also gradually replacing their consciousness with Johnny's. V has limited time to find a way to remove the chip before the process is irreversible.
As V seeks a cure, they pursue several leads: Anders Hellman, Arasaka’s head doctor, and Evelyn Parker, a client who may hold key information. Along the way, V partners with characters like Panam Palmer, a nomad, and Judy Álvarez, a braindance editor. V learns that Johnny’s ex-girlfriend, Alt Cunningham, created a dangerous AI called Soulkiller that Arasaka used to store minds, including Johnny’s. Alt’s consciousness escaped and offers V a deal to help her access Arasaka's digital fortress, Mikoshi, to separate V and Johnny.
The story culminates in a final choice: V can either attack Arasaka Tower to use Soulkiller, with various ways to approach the assault, or negotiate with Hanako Arasaka, Saburo's daughter, to remove the Relic. Depending on the player’s decisions, V may live a few more years, allow Johnny to take over, or remain in their own body with an uncertain fate.
Cyberpunk 2077 Development Time
The development of Cyberpunk 2077 began after the monumental success of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings in 2012. Following the success of The Witcher 2, CD Projekt Red, the Polish game studio behind The Witcher series, set its sights on bringing the iconic Cyberpunk universe to life. The studio partnered with Mike Pondsmith, the creator of the Cyberpunk tabletop RPG, to ensure that the game would stay true to the original vision of the universe.
In early 2012, CD Projekt Red reached out to Pondsmith, sending him a copy of The Witcher 2 to showcase their storytelling capabilities. Impressed by their narrative depth and game design, Pondsmith agreed to license the Cyberpunk 2077 universe to CD Projekt Red for the 2077 timeline. However, Pondsmith retained the rights to the pre-2077 content, ensuring that the Cyberpunk lore was kept intact while allowing the studio creative freedom within the game's timeline.
To maintain the integrity of the Cyberpunk 2077 story, Pondsmith became a key consultant throughout the game’s development. His expertise in world-building and his extensive experience in the gaming industry, including his work on titles such as Crimson Skies and The Matrix Online, were invaluable to CD Projekt Red. This collaboration stood in stark contrast to the more hands-off involvement of Andrzej Sapkowski, the author of The Witcher series, who had a more limited role in the development of The Witcher games.
Thanks to this partnership, CD Projekt Red was able to craft a truly immersive and faithful adaptation of the Cyberpunk universe. The game’s rich narrative and attention to detail in the futuristic world of Night City were direct results of Pondsmith’s involvement. This close collaboration ensured that the Cyberpunk 2077 game development process adhered to the original Cyberpunk vision while offering a fresh and expansive experience for fans.
The success of The Witcher 2 had set a high standard for CD Projekt Red, and their work on Cyberpunk 2077 proved that they were ready to take on an even more ambitious project. The game was built on the strong foundation of their previous success while expanding into new technological and creative frontiers.
Cyberpunk 2077 Marketing and Release Date
Cyberpunk 2077 was announced in May 2012, with trailers released in 2013 and 2018. Initially planned for a 2020 release, the game was delayed multiple times before launching on December 10, 2020. The delays generated significant media buzz, including fan reactions and threats.
The marketing included merchandise like Cyberpunk 2077 Funko Pops, action figures, and a themed Xbox One X console. CD Projekt Red ran a global ad campaign and held a cosplay competition. Due to COVID-19, Night City Wire was created to showcase new content.
Next-gen versions for Xbox Series X/S and PS5 were delayed to February 2022, with free upgrades for existing players. The game was censored in Japan and China to meet local regulations. A 2021 data leak revealed some censored content related to an internet meme about China's President.
Cyberpunk 2077 Awards
Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition, PS5 Features and Cyberpunk 2077 Updates
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world, action-adventure RPG set in the vibrant and chaotic world of Night City. Play as a cyberpunk mercenary in this immersive game where every decision impacts your story. Whether you're taking on jobs, upgrading your skills, or forging relationships, Cyberpunk 2077 offers a rich, dynamic experience. The Ultimate Edition for PS5 offers several exclusive features designed to enhance your gameplay experience.
Physical Edition Goodies
The Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition physical version comes with exciting bonus items, including:
- Exclusive Stickers: A set of high-quality, collectible stickers.
- Rewards Leaflet: Unlock exclusive in-game items, such as the Wild Hunt Jacket and Scorch Pistol, to give you an edge in Night City.
Claim Exclusive In-Game Items
As part of the My Rewards program, you can claim additional digital goodies inspired by other CD Projekt RED games. These rewards help customize your gameplay and provide unique items to enhance your journey in Night City.
Next-Gen Features for PS5
The PS5 Ultimate Edition of Cyberpunk 2077 is designed to fully take advantage of next-gen hardware, offering:
- Faster Load Times: Enjoy seamless transitions between environments and faster gameplay.
- Improved Visuals: With enhanced graphics, ray tracing, and dynamic 4K support, the world of Night City looks more stunning than ever.
- Smooth Gameplay: Enhanced visual and gameplay features ensure a more immersive and enjoyable experience.
Build Your Legend
As you navigate through Night City, you'll engage in daring adventures and build relationships with unforgettable characters. Your decisions shape the fate of the people around you, making every playthrough unique. From cybernetic enhancements to upgrading weapons, the game allows you to tailor your character and playstyle.
Explore Night City
In Cyberpunk 2077, Night City is a bustling, open-world metropolis with endless activities. From neon-lit streets to towering skyscrapers, the city is packed with things to do, places to explore, and people to meet. You decide where to go, when to go, and how to get there.
Customize Your Playstyle
Harness your strength, agility, and advanced cyberware to become a legendary urban outlaw. You can craft new gear, upgrade weapons, and enhance your skills to fit your preferred playstyle. Whether you're focused on combat, hacking, or stealth, the game adapts to your choices.
Discover Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.0
The free Update 2.0 introduces exciting new gameplay mechanics, including:
- Redesigned Perks and Cyberware Systems: Unlock powerful new abilities and enhance your cybernetic enhancements.
- Pulsating Vehicle Combat: Engage in high-speed car chases and intense vehicular combat.
- Revamped Police System: Experience a more dynamic and challenging police response system.
- Enhanced Enemy AI: Enemies are now smarter and more reactive, making combat more thrilling than ever.
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Role-Playing Games