Cyberpunk 2077 is a massive open-world action RPG that takes players into a neon-drenched, “technocapitalist” future. Developed by CD Projekt Red, the team behind the critically acclaimed The Witcher 3, it is an ambitious science-fiction epic that explores themes of power, survival, and the loss of human identity. After a famously rocky release in 2020, the game has undergone a radical transformation, evolving into a definitive masterpiece through years of updates and the monumental Phantom Liberty expansion.
Introduction to the game
Originally inspired by the tabletop RPG Cyberpunk 2020, Cyberpunk 2077 puts players in the shoes of V, a mercenary for hire in the year 2077. The game is a complex hybrid of a first-person shooter and a deep role-playing game, offering a playground of cybernetic enhancements and high-stakes espionage. Following the 2.0 update, the game was effectively reborn, featuring overhauled AI, a redesigned police system, and refined performance that finally delivers on the developers’ original vision.
Story and setting
The game takes place in Night City, a fictional metropolis in California governed entirely by ruthless mega-corporations. In this world, the line between humanity and machinery has blurred; citizens use cybernetic augmentations to enhance their physical strength and memory, yet many live in extreme poverty as automation has replaced the human workforce.
The narrative centers on an accidental heist gone wrong, which leaves V with a “relic” in their head—a prototype biochip containing the digital consciousness of Johnny Silverhand, a legendary “rockerboy” and terrorist portrayed by Keanu Reeves. As Johnny’s personality begins to overwrite V’s own mind, the two are forced into an uneasy alliance to find a way to save V’s life while navigating the city’s dangerous underworld.
Gameplay mechanics
Cyberpunk 2077 is an “FPS charcuterie board,” offering a wide variety of ways to approach any situation. Whether you prefer a “guns-blazing” approach or a silent, tactical path, the game supports diverse playstyles through its deep customization options.
Combat and Character Progression
The 2.0 update completely reworked the skill trees, moving away from simple stat increases toward meaningful perks that define your build. Players can become a cyber-ninja wielding mantis blades, a high-tech “corpo” utilizing smart weapons that lock onto targets, or a heavy-hitter using gorilla arms. The addition of vehicle combat also allows players to engage in high-speed shootouts across the city streets.
Hacking and Stealth
For those who prefer a more subtle approach, hacking remains one of the game’s strongest features. Players can use quickhacks to disable security cameras, set off poisonous chain reactions among enemies, or manipulate the environment to create distractions. The stealth mechanics allow for traditional infiltration, with players tracking enemy vision cones and patrol routes to reach their objectives undetected.
Characters and world
The true star of the game is Night City itself, an environment of mind-boggling scale and density. From the neon-soaked streets of Japantown to the massive synthetic protein farms of the Biotechnica flats, every district feels uniquely handcrafted.
The world is populated by a remarkable variety of characters, including nomads, tattooed yakuza, and citizens so heavily augmented they barely appear human. Beyond the main plot, players form deep emotional bonds with key side characters like the specialist Judy Alvarez and the stubborn nomad Panam Palmer. These relationships are central to the experience, as their personal stories can fundamentally alter the game’s multiple endings.
Game length and content
The structure of the game is described as a “large bush” rather than a linear tree, meaning that side missions are deeply integrated into the main plot. While a player focusing strictly on the main story questline might finish in roughly 20 hours, those who dive into the extensive side content and different narrative paths can easily spend 45 to 60+ hours in Night City.
The experience is further expanded by the Phantom Liberty expansion, a spy-thriller set in the lawless district of Dogtown. This expansion introduces new characters, such as Solomon Reed (played by Idris Elba), and adds a new Relic perk tree that grants even more powerful abilities.
What makes the game unique
What sets Cyberpunk 2077 apart is its relentless commitment to atmospheric world-building and its mature, philosophical narrative. The visual fidelity—especially with ray tracing enabled—creates an unsettlingly beautiful atmosphere where flickering holographic advertisements reflect off rain-slicked pavement.
Unlike many other open-world games, it doesn’t just use the cyberpunk aesthetic for style; it uses it to ask why humans continue to persist within monstrous, “shit-soaked” systems. It is a story about personal relationships and the “silver linings” found in a crumbling world.
Conclusion
By 2025, Cyberpunk 2077 has secured its place among the great RPGs as a “triumph of persistence”. While its journey was marked by a troubled development history, CD Projekt Red’s post-launch dedication has transformed it into a stable, captivating, and deeply moving experience. For anyone seeking a high-fidelity science-fiction world where every choice echoes through neon-lit streets, Night City is finally ready to welcome you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to finish Cyberpunk 2077?
The length of the game depends heavily on how much you engage with its side content. The main story questline is surprisingly short, taking approximately 20 hours to beat if you focus only on central missions. However, the game is designed like a “large bush” rather than a linear tree, meaning side content is deeply tangled with the main plot. A player engaging with side missions to see multiple endings can expect to spend roughly 45 to 60+ hours in Night City.
What is included in the Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty DLC?
The Phantom Liberty expansion adds a new “spy-thriller” story set in a previously inaccessible district of Night City called Dogtown. It features a new cast of characters, including Solomon Reed (played by Idris Elba), a new Relic skill tree, and a completely overhauled police system.
Will there be a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077?
CD Projekt Red has officially confirmed that a sequel, currently codenamed Project Orion, is in the early stages of development at their new North American studio.
Is Cyberpunk 2077 basically GTA?
No. While it features a sprawling urban map and driving, don’t let the first-person perspective and guns-blazing futuristic combat fool you: Cyberpunk 2077 feels like an RPG through and through”.
Is Cyberpunk 2077 a hit or flop?
The game’s reception was polarized . While it suffered from a controversial and “legendary” disappointment at launch due to bugs and technical issues, it has since been recognized as a remarkable “redemption story” and a spectacular, immersive paradise in its current state.
