Cyberpunk 2077: A Glimpse into a Bleak Future

Hello!

I'll be honest, I was completely baffled by Cyberpunk for a long time. Why all the fuss? Why the love? I played the first game and didn't get it. The controls seemed clunky, the information was overwhelming, and the story just didn't click with me. The game world felt depressingly bleak.

But I decided to give it another shot, hoping it would grow on me. And boy, am I glad I did. I played it in 2025, after the DLC and final patch dropped in 2020, and I was hooked. I found myself becoming invested in the world and the characters.

So, here's my take on the game, and I'll show you my character in Night City.

About the game

Take on the role of cyberpunk V and make a name for yourself in the streets of Night City, where power, wealth, and body modifications are the ultimate currency. Legends are born here. What's your story?

If you're familiar with The Witcher 3 (and its predecessors), you'll know that Cyberpunk is another open-world game from a Polish developer. The world is open, but not entirely – you can't just go wherever you want, whenever you want.

This is an RPG, but it's not your typical RPG. Sometimes, the choices you make don't really matter, and different dialogue options can lead to the same outcome. It's a bit disorienting, but it adds to the game's complexity.

What to do and how to play

You'll take on a mission that'll change your life. Steal a device that grants immortality, and you'll become a legend. Explore the massive open world, where your actions shape the story and the world around you.

Complete tasks for the city's inhabitants to rise through the ranks and uncover the secrets of the priceless device, which is the target of a high-stakes hunt.

I played it with a keyboard and mouse combo, which is the classic way to play. You can also use a controller, but I find it a bit awkward. There are some driving sequences, which can be a bit clunky even with a controller.

The city

When I first saw Night City, I thought, 'Great, another dystopian future.' But the more I delved into the game, the more I realized that this is a world where hope seems lost. The city is a mess, and the people are struggling to survive. It's a bleak, but thought-provoking, vision of what our world might become.

If this is what our cities will look like in 2077, I don't want to live in that world. It's a scary thought, but it's also a reminder that we need to work towards a better future, not just for ourselves, but for the world we'll leave behind.

The city's got all the consequences of capitalism, class inequality, and environmental crisis. The same tech we're developing now and the same 'innovations' we're so proud of can very well become our enemies in no time.

My favorite spot

Somewhere along the line, I realized you can't deny the city's got a certain charm, despite all its flaws and unsettling features. Suddenly, my favorite spot - the Night City - pops up in the DLC.

My character

Cyberpunk 2077 DLC

In the beginning, there are three paths offered to the player, but as a corporate drone, I'm not exactly thrilled about capitalism, and a street kid - well, that's not really my thing either. I went for the nomad path, and it felt like the most optimal choice for my V. A nomad, a mercenary, who came to the big city in search of the big city life.

The game has a built-in photo mode that's incredibly good. You can take some amazing screenshots with it.

Print-screening them, however, results in a somewhat watered-down version.

Weapons, rides, NPCs - the whole shebang

V's life is that of a regular (well, sort of) person. You can buy rides, apartments, clothes, and even set up your personal life and use other services. It's like a mini Sims 2.

I wasn't really into rides, but I did enjoy motorcycles. I only spent money on them when I had no other option. I also upgraded my favorite gun and implants. Too bad the game's max level is 60 - I think it would've been cool to have a level cap like in The Witcher, at least.

Fighting

You can go the route of a shooter and pump up your guns and physical strength, but if you're given the option to choose the non-combat path, why not? I focused on hacking, remote combat, and stealth, as I'm not a fan of stealth. In the beginning, your gun deals less damage than a well-executed remote attack, so it's actually more beneficial and sneaky.

My Playthrough

"Wake Up, Samurai"

On the screenshot is one of the main culprits behind the celebration, although Vi herself made her choice, which left her with Kyana's head in her head. You can quickly run through the storyline, or you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere by completing all the non-story quests from fixers.

The non-storyline is pretty one-dimensional - neutralize cyberpsychos, steal a car, steal data, a bit of stealth and scavenging. The interesting ending was with the mayoral candidate, who turned out to be a street beggar yelling about "reptilian conspiracies" - that's it.

I played through all the possible endings just for the sake of interest. I know that many people suffer online because Vi can't be saved, but I think differently. Vi can't be saved only in two cases out of all, and even then there's an option, but selling her to Arasaka is not an option, in the other cases, the ending is open, and as long as it's open, Vi is alive.

Beauty never dies, and that's not a coincidence.

The Phantom Liberty DLC turned out to be more powerful than the main storyline. Plus, the powerful musical soundtrack, several new possibilities for Vi's biochip in her head, and another ending, choosing between Saskia and Reid. It's practically a new, full-fledged game. I liked the DLC more than the main part.

Bugs, yes.

The game was bug-ridden at launch. Bug after bug, bug after bug, with a pinch of bugs. That's why Cyberpunk 2077 didn't become Game of the Year at the time. The DLC became the best addition, but the guys are doing great, they've almost fixed everything, I encountered bugs after the last patch about 4 times throughout the entire game.

There were complaints about "non-functional" time scrolling, but you shouldn't scroll time at all, and just complete other quests and everything works fine.

Ultimately

Well, I usually only fall in love with games from my childhood that have become cult classics over time. It's amazing that this happened to Cyberpunk 2077 as well. Despite the bugs, Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the best games of all time, and it will remain so. There's a whole universe here, and I couldn't describe it all in one review, and I don't need to.

I would recommend playing it to everyone interested and give it a positive rating. And fans of the series can wait until 2030 ☺️

Thanks for reading my review.

A thing of beauty, I know

Will never fade away

What you said really hit home with me.

I appreciate your honesty.

I wrote about my experience with Dave's sushi bar before.