Cyberpunk 2077: The Review

Cyberpunk 2077: The Review

Score: 9 out of 10

Overview: "Cyberpunk 2077 is a game that, after a very rocky launch, finally managed to hit that high mark that everyone hoped it would be. A great story, responsive gameplay and stellar world building make this a near perfect experience for everyone."

Note: We will be releasing a short review for "Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty" in 2025.

The Positives

• The narrative in Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the standout features. It’s an intricate web of personal stories, existential questions, and corporate conspiracies. The character arcs are compelling, especially with Keanu Reeves’ unforgettable performance as Johnny Silverhand. It’s a story that explores identity, choice, and morality in ways few games do;
• Night City is nothing short of breathtaking. It’s a living, breathing world with towering skyscrapers, dark alleys, and neon-lit streets. The attention to detail is staggering, and every corner of the city feels alive—whether it’s the bustling markets or the shady corners of downtown;
• I was genuinely surprised by how engaging the side quests are. Each one feels meaningful, with rich character development and thoughtful narratives. Characters like Judy, Panam, and Takemura have deep backstories, and their quests are woven into the world so well that they feel like essential parts of the experience​;
• The customization options are extensive, allowing you to tailor V’s appearance, skills, and cyberware in a way that fits your playstyle. Whether you prefer hacking enemies or going full combat, you can truly shape your character and the gameplay to your liking;
• The combat system has come a long way. You can mix up gunplay, melee combat, and hacking in a way that makes every fight feel unique. The AI has been improved, and the dynamic encounters keep things interesting. Plus, the new updates have made police encounters feel more engaging and tactical​ than ever;
• The soundtrack is absolutely phenomenal. From the dark techno beats to the hard-hitting tracks from artists like Run the Jewels, the music complements the dystopian world of Cyberpunk perfectly. The sound design also helps to immerse you into the gritty atmosphere of Night City;
• Even after all the updates, Cyberpunk 2077 remains one of the best-looking games I’ve played. The city’s skyline, lighting effects, and character models are all stunning. Every scene feels like it could be a screenshot, and the visual polish makes exploring Night City a joy​;
• The Phantom Liberty expansion, along with the 2.0 update, has breathed new life into the game. CD Projekt Red’s commitment to making the game better is clear, and it’s become a much more polished, rewarding experience​. We won't go too much deeper into it since we'll be releasing a review for the DLC at a later date;
• The choices you make in Cyberpunk 2077 genuinely impact the story. It’s not just about picking dialogue options; your actions affect the world and lead to different outcomes. This level of depth is something that adds real weight to every decision.

The Negatives

• While Cyberpunk 2077 has come a long way, I can’t ignore the fact that its launch was a mess, and some technical issues still remain. Although the game has seen multiple updates, I’ve encountered occasional bugs—NPCs still pop in and out of existence, and there are occasional animation glitches that pull me out of the experience. While it’s not as bad as it used to be, crashes and performance drops are still something to watch out for​;
• The AI, particularly when it comes to driving and NPC behavior, often feels robotic. While the combat AI has improved, civilian and traffic AI still need work. It’s jarring when pedestrians or vehicles act out of place, like when they ignore your presence or swerve erratically when you’re just driving normally. This lack of realism breaks immersion at times​;
• Once the main story is done, Cyberpunk can feel a bit empty. While there are side activities like gigs and NCPD missions, they get repetitive quickly, and there’s not much narrative depth to keep you engaged long-term. It’s a shame because with such a rich world, the lack of compelling endgame content feels like a missed opportunity​.

The Experience

Cyberpunk 2077 is one of those games that stays with you long after you finished it. It was enjoyable from start to finish with very little time we weren't loving what were playing. We played with the Ultimate Edition of the game which included already the infamous 2.0, that overhauled so much of the game, so our experience probably wasn't as buggy and troublesome as most people who played it on launch.  It took us around 125 hours to obtain the platinum and we loved every piece of this platinum journey, very likely becoming one of most rewarding platinum experiences in a long while. We are anxiously awaiting for a sequel or any sort of future content related to the franchise. We will be covering the DLC in 2025 so you better stick around if you wanna know our opinion on it.