Few games in recent history have inspired as much fervent discussion as Cyberpunk 2077. First revealed back in 2013, its extensive and prolonged marketing period was characterized by seemingly endless hype, with CD Projekt Red coasting off the good will engendered by The Witcher 3, which elevated its reputation to astronomical heights. But Cyberpunk 2077 wound up communicating a terrible reality: no studio's reputation can be impeccable forever.
In the case of CD Projekt Red, its identity was marred by the historically disastrous launch of Cyberpunk 2077 in late 2020. To say that the game failed to live up to its lofty expectations would be a massive understatement: it was virtually unplayable on last-gen consoles, and just about every version of the game was rife with bugs and performance issues, not to mention the lack of many core features. Five years and a handful of lawsuits later, CD Projekt Red has managed to scrape back much of the strong reputation that was lost in the course of the Cyberpunk 2077 rollout thanks to numerous patches, free content drops, and the well-received Phantom Liberty DLC. And with a sequel, codenamed Project Orion, on the way, the studio ought to learn valuable lessons from its recent past, and not just on the macro scale.
One Rumored Cyberpunk 2077 Sequel Feature Deserves the Same Treatment as The Witcher
The rumored multiplayer component for Cyberpunk 2077's sequel, Project Orion, deserves to get the same treatment as The Witcher.
Project Orion Needs to Heed Cyberpunk 2077's Smaller Post-Launch Changes
Cyberpunk 2077's Redemption Is Resultant from More Than Just the Big-Ticket Items
Naturally, huge overhauls to the Cyberpunk 2077 experience, like the massive technical improvements and ambitious Phantom Liberty expansion, get the most attention from both audiences and media outlets. It's true that these significant and obvious changes were instrumental in making Cyberpunk 2077 the well-received game that it is today, but they are held up by countless smaller updates. Taken cumulatively, these smaller changes are just as important as the headline-defining overhauls.
Quality-of-life features like being able to purchase vehicles from an in-game terminal rather than driving to their locations manually, or fun, frivolous details like the option to customize a car's color, have gone a long way toward making Cyberpunk a better game. It's far more feature-rich now, with a more reactive and interactive world for players to get stuck into. Here are just a few of the best, potentially overlooked changes to Cyberpunk 2077 since its launch:
- The option to listen to the radio while on-foot
- More in-depth NPC background conversations
- Greater crowd density
- The option to invite romanceable NPCs to V's apartment
- The Night City Metro System
- Improved character models, especially Johnny Silverhand
Project Orion Needs To Learn from Cyberpunk 2077's Approach to Nuanced Features and Systems
It would definitely be surprising if some or all of the aforementioned features were absent in Project Orion. For example, if the sequel lacks the option to customize car colors, that would be a significant, easily avoidable step backward. In other words, it's highly likely that Project Orion will carry such minor features over from its predecessor. But it would behoove CD Projekt Red to remember why such features are so important in the first place.
Something like being able to eavesdrop on interesting, but ultimately inconsequential, Night City NPC dialog isn't exactly a selling point of Cyberpunk 2077, but it makes the world feel far more alive and believable. The same can be said for something like the Metro System, even if it doesn't have any function beyond what the already-existing fast travel options offer. These post-launch features represent a strong attention to detail, which is essential for creating a vivid and alluring game world. Plus, many of these smaller features, like the option to change car color or listen to the radio on-the-go, simply make the game more fun. Project Orion shouldn't make audiences wait for similar inclusions.
Cyberpunk 2077
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 76 /100 Critics Rec: 66%
- 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
WHERE TO PLAY
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
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
- How Long To Beat
- 25 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- PS Plus Availability
- Extra & Premium
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
