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Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 takes place in Night City, a massive futuristic city where technology has become part of everyday life and corporations hold enormous power. It is a world filled with neon lights, dangerous gangs, expensive cars and people trying to survive in a society where almost everything has a price.
Developed by CD Projekt Red, the studio behind The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Cyberpunk 2077 originally launched in December 2020. Its release was far from smooth, especially on older consoles, but years of updates and improvements have changed the experience considerably.
With its deep character customisation, flexible combat and memorable characters, Cyberpunk 2077 has grown into one of the most interesting open-world RPGs available. But what makes Night City worth exploring, and does the game still hold up in 2026?
Story and Setting: Welcome to Night City
You play as V, a mercenary trying to make a name for themselves in Night City. After a dangerous job goes wrong, V ends up with a mysterious experimental chip in their head. The problem is that it contains the digital personality of Johnny Silverhand, a former rockstar and terrorist played by Keanu Reeves.
From that moment on, V's life becomes a race against time. Johnny is slowly taking over their mind, and finding a way to survive becomes the main goal. The relationship between these two characters is one of the most interesting parts of the story. They do not always agree, and their conversations can be just as entertaining as the action around them.
Night City itself deserves plenty of attention. Each district has its own atmosphere, architecture and problems. Wealthy areas filled with enormous buildings sit alongside crowded streets, industrial zones and dangerous neighbourhoods. The city feels like a place with its own identity rather than just a large map filled with activities.
Gameplay: Combat, Hacking and Cyberware
One of Cyberpunk 2077's biggest strengths is the freedom it gives players during missions. There is rarely just one way to approach a situation. You can go in with guns blazing, quietly take enemies out, use hacking to turn security systems against their owners or combine different approaches.
Gunplay feels responsive, with a selection of weapons that includes traditional firearms, futuristic technology and powerful close-range options. Some weapons can even shoot around corners, while others offer unusual ways to deal with enemies. Melee combat is also an option, especially for players who prefer getting up close.
Hacking adds another layer to combat. With the right equipment and abilities, V can disable cameras, distract enemies, damage opponents through connected systems or create opportunities without firing a single shot. A character built around hacking can feel very different from one focused on heavy weapons or close combat.
Cyberware makes these playstyles even more interesting. Implants can improve movement, strengthen combat abilities and give V access to useful upgrades. One of the most noticeable examples is the ability to use a powerful operating system that changes how you approach fights.
Exploring Night City: More Than Just a Big Map
Night City is one of the main reasons to spend time in Cyberpunk 2077. Driving through its streets at night, walking through busy markets or discovering a quiet corner away from the crowds can be just as enjoyable as completing the main story.
There are plenty of side activities, but the most interesting content often comes from the smaller stories. Side jobs introduce characters with their own problems, ambitions and backgrounds. Some are funny, others are disturbing, and a few can leave a lasting impression.
The city also rewards players who take their time. Conversations, messages and environmental details help build a picture of what life is like in this world. Not every interesting moment comes with a big marker on the map, which makes exploring feel more rewarding.
Of course, Night City is not perfect. The map is large, and travelling between activities can sometimes become repetitive. Still, its atmosphere and attention to detail make it a memorable open world.
Character Progression and Customisation
Creating V is about more than choosing an appearance. Your attributes, perks, weapons and cyberware all influence how the character develops. Players can focus on strength, technical abilities, intelligence or other skills depending on the type of character they want to build.
This flexibility makes experimenting with different builds worthwhile. A stealth-focused character can approach missions very differently from someone who relies on heavy weapons and physical strength. Hacking builds offer yet another way to play, allowing players to control encounters from a distance.
The equipment system also gives you plenty of room to customise your character. Weapons, clothing and cyberware can all contribute to a particular playstyle. The result is an RPG where character progression has a noticeable impact on how the game feels.
Phantom Liberty: A Worthwhile Expansion
Phantom Liberty is the major expansion for Cyberpunk 2077, released in September 2023. It introduces Dogtown, a dangerous district controlled by a powerful ruler, and adds a new spy-thriller storyline involving political conflicts, betrayal and difficult decisions.
The expansion features Idris Elba as Solomon Reed, an experienced agent who becomes an important part of the story. His character brings a different atmosphere to the adventure, with a storyline that feels closer to a spy movie than a traditional mercenary job.
Dogtown is also a welcome addition to Night City. It has its own identity, with crowded streets, abandoned areas and heavily guarded locations. There are new missions, weapons and activities to discover, giving players more reasons to return to the game.
Phantom Liberty is not required to enjoy the main campaign, but it adds a substantial amount of worthwhile content. For anyone planning to experience Cyberpunk 2077 today, it is an expansion worth considering.
Graphics, Sound and Performance
Even several years after its original release, Cyberpunk 2077 remains an impressive-looking game. Night City is full of small details, from reflections on wet streets to the lighting of enormous advertising screens. Its visual style does a lot to make the world feel believable, despite its futuristic setting.
The soundtrack is another highlight. Different radio stations offer music for almost every mood, while the original score helps create tension during important moments. Voice acting is generally strong, with the conversations between V and Johnny standing out in particular.
Performance depends heavily on the platform and hardware. The PC version offers a wide range of graphical settings, including advanced ray tracing features on supported hardware. These options can make the city look even more impressive, but they also require considerably more powerful hardware.
The game has also changed significantly since launch. Major updates improved systems such as police behaviour, combat, character progression and vehicle handling. The original console release had serious technical problems, but the current PC and newer-console versions offer a much more complete experience.
Verdict: Is Cyberpunk 2077 Worth Playing in 2026?
Cyberpunk 2077 has come a long way since its troubled launch. What started as a disappointing release for many players has developed into a deep RPG with a fascinating setting, flexible gameplay and a story worth experiencing.
Night City is the real star. Its atmosphere, characters and countless smaller stories make it easy to spend hours exploring without feeling like every moment needs to be part of the main campaign. The combat and character progression also offer enough freedom to make different playstyles feel meaningful.
There are still a few weaknesses. Some activities can become repetitive, and the world is not quite as interactive as its impressive presentation might suggest. But these issues do little to take away from what the game does well.
For players who enjoy open-world RPGs, science fiction or story-driven adventures, Cyberpunk 2077 is an easy recommendation. With Phantom Liberty included, there is even more reason to visit Night City.
Final Score: 9/10
Game Information
- Released: December 10, 2020
- Game: Cyberpunk 2077
- Developer: CD Projekt Red
- Publisher: CD Projekt
- Genre: Open-World Action RPG
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S
- Expansion: Phantom Liberty
- Official Website: Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 on Steam
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