Of the many mechanics CD Projekt Red sharpened between The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, moment-to-moment combat might be the most significant. Indeed, Cyberpunk 2077 has perhaps the best combat of any game by CDPR, with strong, visceral shooting mechanics, unique abilities such as quickhacks and sandevistans, and progression systems that allow for diverse, expressive builds.

But if there's one corner of Cyberpunk 2077's combat sandbox that's in need of improvement, it's melee combat. Using blades, blunt weapons, and fists in Cyberpunk doesn't feel particularly bad—it can actually be quite fun, especially if one plans a melee build properly. But melee never quite feels as robust or satisfying as shooting, often boiling down to button-mashing and stun-locking enemies. There are technically parry and block moves available to the player, but these rarely need to be utilized, especially since most enemy encounters are gunfights. This can sometimes make melee-only builds feel more like a novelty than a viable, comprehensive playstyle, and there are steps Cyberpunk 2077's sequel can take to remedy this.

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How Project Orion Can Improve Cyberpunk 2077's Melee Combat

CD Projekt Red Could Kill Two Birds with One Stone by Making Project Orion Third-Person

Many of Cyberpunk 2077's melee shortcomings can be attributed to the inherent difficulties of designing such mechanics in a first-person game. The third-person perspective offers far greater freedom with these sorts of systems, as the player's field of view isn't dictated by the avatar's simulated vision. It's also hard to design things like hitboxes in a first-person game, since the player-character's physical presence is less defined. This is why a game like God of War or Dark Souls wouldn't function well in first-person, as most of the player's engagement with the game world hinges on the flexibility and physical rules that a third-person camera provides.

But maybe Cyberpunk 2077's sequel, currently codenamed Project Orion, will embrace third-person gameplay. It's highly unlikely that the sequel will be exclusively third-person, of course—first-person gameplay is a core part of the Cyberpunk 2077 identity—but it wouldn't be surprising if it included a third-person mode, channeling the likes of Skyrim. The lack of this alternate option is something that many Cyberpunk 2077 players have lamented, and CDPR clearly made some concessions to remedy this, including the third-person mode on a motorcycle and third-person cutscenes during Cyberpunk's many endings. A dedicated third-person mode would just be the natural progression of this.

Even Without a Third-Person Mode, Project Orion Can Improve Melee Combat

Implementing a third-person mode in a game as ambitious as Project Orion is much easier said than done, so it might be best to temper expectations in this regard. Having said that, there are a number of great sources of inspiration if CDPR is looking to give melee combat a punch-up in the Cyberpunk sequel, with some of the best including:

  • Avowed
  • Kingdom Come: Deliverance I & II
  • Dying Light I & II
  • Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
  • Condemned: Criminal Origins
  • Dark Messiah of Might and Magic
  • Chivalry 2

Assuming that CDPR wants to elevate Cyberpunk 2077's melee rather than reinvent it, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Avowed, and Dark Messiah might be the best games to learn from. These titles offer hard-hitting melee combat that hinges on satisfying physics systems, which helps every strike feel earned and weighty. Additional mechanics, like the option to switch stances or dual-wield unique weapon types (for instance, having a sword in one hand and a hammer in the other), could be nice ways to further build on these core concepts.

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6 /10

Cyberpunk 2077
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RPG
Action
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Systems
PlayStation-1 Xbox-1 super greyscale 8-bit logo PC-1
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Top Critic Avg: 76 /100 Critics Rec: 66%
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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
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action-adventure from the creators of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, CD Projekt Red.

Set in Night City, a megalopolis obsessed with power, glamour and body modification, you play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality.

Upgraded with next-gen in mind and featuring free additional content, customize your character and playstyle as you take on jobs, build a reputation, and unlock upgrades. 

The relationships you forge and the choices you make will shape the story and the world around you. Legends are made here. What will yours be?

Engine
REDengine 4
Cross-Platform Play
ps, xbox, pc
Cross Save
yes
Franchise
Cyberpunk
Steam Deck Compatibility
yes
Genre(s)
RPG, Action
How Long To Beat
25 Hours
X|S Optimized
Yes
PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium
OpenCritic Rating
Strong