Why Cyberpunk 2077 Is Almost The Perfect RPG

Half a decade since its initial release, Cyberpunk 2077 continues to go from strength to strength with CD Projekt Red still updating the game regularly. Starring many of the world’s most well-known celebrities, the highly anticipated title had a somewhat disastrous launch, but has slowly built its standing as one of the finest games on the market today, especially since the 2.0 update and the stellar Phantom Liberty DLC.

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Many factors go into making an immersive role-playing game, and opinions vary drastically on the matter. Despite this, many players view Cyberpunk 2077 as a modern-day classic that perfectly encapsulates the RPG genre, and there are plenty of reasons it could be classified as such.

1 Engaging Narrative

Intriguing Themes, Plus Some Twists & Turns

Even in the early days of glitches and other technical issues, nobody could criticize the story of Cyberpunk 2077. There are many ups and downs, as with any good work of fiction, with plenty of drama, unexpected twists, and plenty of moments of brevity, despite the dystopian setting.

The developer’s previous works set a high standard when it comes to narrative, since The Witcher series is one of the most compelling, but many feel that V’s adventure in Night City rivals the exploits of Geralt of Rivia. Themes of existentialism, corporate greed, and the impact of technology on humans are all tackled masterfully.

2 Player Choices Have Meaning

Branching Paths Make Each Playthrough Unique

Complementing the engaging narrative is the impact of player choices. Much like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, these choices are not necessarily as obvious as in some RPGs, with conversation options generally leading to consequences down the line, from romance to betrayal, which can be fatal for some NPCs.

Some debate the efficacy of player decisions, as most paths lead to the same or similar pathways, but they can still change the way the world interacts with V, adding to immersion. The branching paths lead to multiple endings, so it’s worth replaying to see how making alternative decisions reshape the story and the world.

3 Characters Are Memorable

Compelling Figures Live Long In The Memory & Feel Real

The world of Cyberpunk 2077 feels alive, and the characters are a large part of that feeling. Whether they are important figures in the overall narrative, minor side characters encountered once or twice in missions, random gangoons on the street, or just the faceless NPCs filling the world, everyone adds to the overall atmosphere of the game.

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Small lines of dialogue and nuggets of information garnered from shards scattered throughout the city add to the backstories of individual characters, even random nobodies on the street. Subtle details like facial expression changes during key moments or NPCs reacting to V’s behavior make them feel like real people. Whether choom or corpo scum, they are all memorable.

4 Exploration

Night City & Its Surroundings Are Full Of Secrets

One of the best game worlds to explore from a first-person perspective, there are secrets and points of interest around every corner in Night City and the surrounding area. Wandering around on foot, it’s hard not to take in everything on offer, whether admiring small details, the beautiful graphics, or engaging in some sort of mission.

Driving is another satisfying aspect of gameplay, allowing players to traverse the roads of Night City at a blistering pace and engage in thrilling vehicular combat. The dystopian nature of the game means that much of the world is bleak, but there is simultaneously something ruggedly charming about it.

5 Gameplay Variety

Missions, Combat, & Interactions Vary Wildly

No two playthroughs of Cyberpunk are the same, with many even enjoying the game more on their second run as they are more familiar with how the game and all its complexities work. Both story missions and side quests vary in style, goal, and setting, meaning that the game always feels fresh and rarely repetitive, if ever.

The wide variety of weaponry makes for wild differences in playstyles, and interactions with NPCs are some of the most diverse in video games. The addition of cybernetic enhancements, hacking mechanics, and a complex skill tree means that the game can be tackled in myriad unique ways, depending on player preferences.

6 Side Quests

Some Of The Best In Video Games

Something that is often criticized in games in general, never mind just RPGs, is side quests. In many games, they are bland, repetitive, or rage-inducingly irritating, but not in this case. From tracking down rogue AI taxis with their personalities to conversing with monks and assassinating gang leaders, these are some of the most interesting moments in the entire game.

Even the errands given by the Fixers are both useful and compelling, often adding to world-building, offering philosophical dilemmas, and always providing valuable experience to V. Some find the Fixers annoying or unpleasant as people, but they add to the general moral ambiguity and vibe of Night City.

7 Noticeable Progression

Leveling Feels Clear & Flexible

Learning the main mechanics can feel overwhelming at first, since there are so many different leveling systems to develop. Other RPGs can feel sluggish when it comes to progress, requiring a great deal of grinding to improve the protagonist or party, but it is quick and clear to notice that V is becoming more powerful.

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Reputation, key attributes, and perk skills all become clear over time, allowing players to cater to their desired experience. Core statistics like Technical, Cool, and Intelligence unlock new perks, which noticeably improve V’s abilities, plus any poor decisions made early in the game can be undone as perks can be reallocated later.

8 Character Development

Fun Character Builds & Story Development

As already mentioned, the game deals with a plethora of different themes, many of which tie directly to V and their perception of the world around them. Right from the outset, a choice is given about the protagonist’s background, which alters dialogue options in the opening hours and beyond, plus there are some secret choices made through such decisions that subtly adjust proceedings.

As the story progresses and some major events occur, V reacts accordingly, which is especially noticeable after the introduction of Johnny Silverhand. The development of their character is masterful, and even attribute upgrades can play a sophisticated role in determining V’s personality or how others perceive them to be.

9 Satisfying Combat

Battles Are Thrilling With Many Strategies

Combat is an area where Cyberpunk 2077 really thrives, and there are plenty of opportunities to refine those skills thanks to the abundance of aggressive inhabitants in Night City, who are spoiling for a fight. There are myriad weapons to be found, either scattered around the game world or on the bodies of fallen foes, allowing for plenty of approaches to conflict.

Perks and attribute upgrades play a major role in player choices when it comes to combat. As they boost their core skills and unlock new powers, they can feel like some kind of god, being able to stop time, dodge bullets, and clear a room of hostiles without being noticed. Hacks add an extra layer of intrigue to battle strategies.

10 Immersive Game World

Night City Feels Alive & Atmospheric

For those who enjoy exploring large and open cities in video games, Night City is the perfect setting. The general vibe of vast inequality in the sprawling metropolis is perfectly encapsulated, really feeling its mixture of unimaginable opulence and gritty criminal underworld, as well as the struggles of impoverished residents.

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Exploring the city for any length of time will give the impression that it is alive, and small details or occurrences truly draw the player in, making them feel part of this complex and futuristic world. From the beauty of the luxurious Konpeki Plaza hotel to the rugged charm of gang-infested slums in Watson, the world of Cyberpunk 2077 feels real and is incredibly immersive.

Cyberpunk 2077

6/10

Released

December 10, 2020

ESRB

M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

Developer(s)

CD Projekt Red

Publisher(s)

CD Projekt Red

Engine

REDengine 4