Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action RPG from CD Projekt Red, released December 10, 2020. Players take the role of V, a mercenary for hire in Night City. The fictional megalopolis sits in California in the year 2077, where corporations hold more power than governments and cybernetic implants are part of everyday life.
Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay centers on player freedom, with four build archetypes and no class lock. The story carries genuine emotional weight, with six distinct endings shaped by player choices. Critics rate it 86 on Metacritic and 92 on Opencritic. Post-launch patches turned a disastrous 2020 debut into one of the highest-rated RPGs of its generation.
The Phantom Liberty DLC adds a spy-thriller expansion and the 2.0 system overhaul that rebuilt the entire game. Pricing has dropped well below launch figures. This review covers everything: gameplay systems, story quality, critical scores, launch history, and whether the game is worth your time today.
What Is Cyberpunk 2077?
Cyberpunk 2077 is an open-world action RPG developed by CD Projekt Red, released December 10, 2020, and based on Mike Pondsmith’s 1988 tabletop RPG of the same name. The game places players in the role of V, a mercenary operating in a dystopian near-future city. The setting draws from decades of cyberpunk fiction including Blade Runner and Ghost in the Shell.
Here’s the thing: Night City isn’t just a backdrop. It’s the game’s fictional megalopolis set in California in the year 2077, where corporations hold more power than governments and cybernetic implants are normalized. People replace limbs, enhance vision, and jack directly into machines. Can someone hack your eyes in this world? Yes, and it’s treated as a routine crime.
The game carries an ESRB M (Mature) rating. It contains strong language, intense violence, blood and gore, nudity, and sexual material. Parents should note that content isn’t appropriate for all ages.
What Kind of Game Is Cyberpunk 2077?
Cyberpunk 2077 is a first-person action RPG that refuses to handhold players through its systems, throwing character builds, skill trees, and hacking mechanics at players from the opening hours. Reviewers consistently describe it as daunting but deeply rewarding. The refusal to gradually introduce systems is a deliberate design choice, not an oversight.
In fact, comparisons to other games are everywhere. Reviewers noted that its quest consequences resemble Dragon Age, its hacking echoes Fallout’s VATS, and the open world matches Elder Scrolls and The Witcher 3 in scope and freedom.
The average playthrough exceeds 100 hours. High replayability comes from distinct character build paths and branching story outcomes. Players frequently complete multiple runs to experience different endings and playstyles. Is 100 hours too long? Not if the game earns every one of them.
What Platforms Can You Play Cyberpunk 2077 On?
Cyberpunk 2077 is available on PC, macOS, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch 2. The game spans more platforms than any other major RPG currently available. The current-generation versions offer the best visual and performance experience. Last-gen versions are playable but received the most severe bug issues at launch.
Xbox Game Pass subscribers can access the full game without a separate purchase. A PlayStation 5 Pro update is live. Sony’s upgraded hardware now runs the game with enhanced visual performance.
Available Platforms:
- PC (Windows)
- macOS
- PlayStation 5
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox Series X/S
- Xbox One
- Nintendo Switch 2
How Does Cyberpunk 2077 Gameplay Work?
Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay centers on player-driven freedom, letting players build V as a gunfighter, hacker, stealth operative, or melee specialist and approach every quest according to their preferred playstyle. No content is locked behind a single build path. Players can mix combat approaches and switch priorities mid-game as they invest in different attributes.
To be clear, side content isn’t filler here. Side missions carry genuine narrative weight and can unlock additional endings in the final act. Skipping side quests means missing strategic choices that shape the endgame.
Choices appear throughout dialogue and mission approaches. A dialogue selection wheel lets players shape V’s personality. Those selections affect how NPCs respond and which quest branches become available later in the story.
How Do Character Builds Work?
Character builds in Cyberpunk 2077 fall into four primary archetypes: gunplay, stealth, netrunning (hacking), and melee, with no hard class lock forcing players into a single path throughout the campaign. Players distribute attribute points across Body, Reflexes, Technical Ability, Intelligence, and Cool. Each attribute unlocks distinct perks and playstyle options.
Cybernetic implants form the other half of character progression. Players can augment their body with enhanced reflexes, hacking interfaces, combat boosts, and optical upgrades. Each implant slot competes for limited capacity called Humanity.
Primary Build Archetypes:
- Netrunner — remote hacking and system takeover
- Solo — heavy weapons and brute-force combat
- Stealth — silent takedowns and avoiding detection
- Techie — engineering skill trees and tech weapons
How Does Combat Feel in Cyberpunk 2077?
Combat in Cyberpunk 2077 uses a first-person shooter framework with RPG layers on top, producing firefights that feel increasingly satisfying as character builds develop and cybernetic upgrades stack. Gunplay draws comparisons to other FPS titles but distinguishes itself through the depth of build-specific modifiers. Each weapon performs differently depending on the character type behind it.
And here is the best part: the endgame power spike. Players with full investment in their chosen archetype describe becoming near-unstoppable in combat. The ramp-up from early fragility to late-game dominance is a deliberate and rewarding progression arc. Does that power spike feel earned? Every reviewer who stuck with the game says yes.
Is the Story in Cyberpunk 2077 Good?
Yes. The story in Cyberpunk 2077 is widely regarded as one of the best narratives in modern gaming, with emotional impact that multiple players and critics compare favorably to Game of Thrones and Titanic in scope and resonance. The narrative follows V after a botched heist leaves a legendary rocker-turned-terrorist named Johnny Silverhand living in their head. The central conflict drives a deeply personal main questline.
Keanu Reeves voices Johnny Silverhand throughout the campaign. Worth it? Absolutely. Reviewers consistently cite his performance as one of the game’s strongest elements. The dynamic between V and Silverhand forms the emotional backbone of the entire story.
The main quest is shorter than expected when completed alone. IGN noted it is ‘shorter than expected when taken on its own.’ Here’s why that doesn’t matter: side quests offer storylines with emotional weight equal to or greater than the central narrative.
Does Your Choices Actually Affect the Story?
Yes. Player choices directly affect quest outcomes, NPC relationships, and the specific endings available when the main story concludes, making decision-making a mechanically significant part of the experience. A dialogue choice wheel appears throughout the game. Selections shape V’s responses and determine which quest branches remain accessible.
Side quests have a documented influence on the finale. IGN’s review specifically noted that side missions ‘can have a surprisingly powerful effect on the options available when players reach the ending.’ Ignoring optional content narrows the range of conclusions available. Is that a punishment for skipping side quests? Not exactly, but it does close off some of the most satisfying finales.
How Many Endings Does Cyberpunk 2077 Have?
Cyberpunk 2077 has approximately six distinct endings, each shaped by the choices players make across the main story and key side questlines, giving the game genuine replay value beyond the first playthrough. Different endings require different relationship-building with specific NPCs earlier in the game. Some endings remain locked unless players complete certain side missions before the point of no return.
Think of it this way: different builds make the game feel entirely new. A stealth netrunner playthrough feels entirely distinct from a brawler or gunslinger run. The combination of build variety and ending variety makes multiple playthroughs genuinely worthwhile.
What Do Critics and Users Say in Cyberpunk 2077 Reviews?
Cyberpunk 2077 holds a Metacritic score of 86 from 92 critic reviews and an Opencritic aggregate of 92, positioning it among the highest-rated RPGs of its generation once post-launch updates resolved the majority of technical problems. The initial reception was mixed due to severe bugs at launch. The current critical consensus reflects a significantly improved and substantially different game.
User ratings tell a similar recovery story. The Metacritic user score sits at 7.3 from 39,963 ratings, with 69% positive. The drag on the score comes from launch-era reviews that haven’t been updated despite the game’s transformation through patches. Does that make the 7.3 user score misleading? Significantly, yes.
Cyberpunk 2077 Scores at a Glance:
| Source | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic (Critics) | 86 / 100 |
| Opencritic | 92 |
| IGN | 9 / 10 |
| GamesRadar+ | 5 / 5 |
| RPG Site | 90 / 100 |
| Game Informer | 9 / 10 |
| VG247 | 10 / 10 |
| PC Gamer | 78 / 100 |
| Metacritic (Users) | 7.3 / 10 |
What Do Critics Say About Cyberpunk 2077?
Critics awarded Cyberpunk 2077 scores ranging from 78 to 100, with the highest marks going to its world-building, storytelling, and the sheer density of meaningful content in Night City. GamesRadar+ gave a full 5/5, writing that the game ‘makes up for campaign length with breadth and soul, offering a world of intrigue unlike any other.’ IGN awarded 9/10 with an Editor’s Choice designation.
The primary critical concern at launch was bugs. PC Gamer scored 78/100 and described it as ‘moving and life-affirming in the final moments, even in the face of a relentless onslaught of bugs.’ That advice to wait before buying no longer applies in 2026.
Bottom line: the gap between what was promised and what shipped at launch has fully closed. GodisaGeek described it as ‘one of the most consistently astounding pieces of media’ they had consumed. Most critics now say the delivered game exceeds the original hype.
What Do Players Say About Cyberpunk 2077?
Players who purchased or returned to Cyberpunk 2077 after the major updates describe it as one of the greatest RPGs ever made, with particular praise for the story, music, Night City’s visual detail, and the emotional impact of key moments. One Metacritic reviewer wrote that the story ‘hits harder than Game of Thrones.’ Another called it ‘simply the best story, best attention to detail, best music.’
Common praise themes across user reviews include replayability, Keanu Reeves’ performance, and the immersive quality of Night City as a living world. Several players mention postponing finishing their first playthrough to spend more time on side content. That’s how good the optional missions are.
Remaining complaints are mostly isolated. Some PS5 users still report occasional bugs as of 2026. And it’s worth noting: negative launch-era ratings persist on Metacritic and drag the user score below what current sentiment would produce if reviewed fresh today.
Did Cyberpunk 2077 Fix Its Launch Problems?
Yes. CD Projekt Red spent three years issuing patches and overhauls, culminating in the 2.0 update in September 2023 which rebuilt core systems including police AI, skill trees, clothing armor, and vehicle combat from the ground up. The transformation between the 2020 launch build and the 2026 current state is so significant that reviewers describe the game as feeling like a new release. Most who avoided it at launch are now actively encouraged to play.
One reviewer described the 2.0 update as making the game ‘just a lot more fun to play.’ Key changes include removing clothing as armor. That single change eliminated the immersion-breaking loot meta that had players wearing mismatched outfits for stats rather than style.
What Was Wrong at Launch?
The 2020 launch is widely considered one of the worst in gaming history, with PS4 and Xbox One versions so broken they were eventually pulled from the PlayStation Store, and PC versions suffering hundreds of documented bugs across all areas of the game. The technical failure was compounded by expectations. The game had won 100+ awards at E3 2018. The gap between that hype and launch reality amplified the backlash significantly.
CD Projekt Red issued refunds and publicly apologized. Did that restore trust immediately? No. The game’s reputation suffered lasting damage to user review scores. Many players formed their opinion entirely from launch-era coverage and never experienced the patched version.
Is Cyberpunk 2077 Good Now in 2026?
Yes. Cyberpunk 2077 is considered fully fixed and genuinely excellent in 2026, with the 2.0 patch and Phantom Liberty expansion having transformed it into the game CD Projekt Red originally promised at announcement. Recent player reviews uniformly recommend it. The only remaining technical notes are minor and platform-specific. The gameplay systems, AI, and content volume now match or exceed the standards of competing AAA RPGs.
Update 2.3 is live as of mid-2026. Should new players wait for further updates before starting? No. The current state is stable and excellent across all platforms.
Is the Phantom Liberty DLC Worth It?
Yes. Phantom Liberty is a full spy-thriller expansion set in a new district called Dogtown, and player reviews consistently place it on par with or above the base game in narrative quality and production value. It releases as a separate purchase and is also bundled in the Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate Edition alongside the base game. Most reviewers who played the expansion recommend buying the Ultimate Edition for first-time buyers.
Phantom Liberty arrived alongside the 2.0 update in September 2023. The two releases together represent a turning point for the game. Reviewers describe the DLC as the reason to revisit Night City even for players who completed the base game at launch. Is it that significant? Players who skipped it consistently say it’s the best part of the whole experience.
The good news? The Ultimate Edition bundles both for a combined price lower than buying separately. CD Projekt RED markets it as ‘the complete Cyberpunk 2077 experience.’ For new players, skipping the base-only version and going straight to the Ultimate Edition is the recommended path.
What Does Phantom Liberty Add?
Phantom Liberty adds a new playable district called Dogtown, a standalone espionage questline with new characters, and the accompanying 2.0 system overhaul that rebuilt police AI, skill trees, and vehicle combat for all players. The new story operates independently of the main campaign but connects to its narrative. New characters include a president of the New United States in exile and a rogue NUSA agent.
Gameplay additions include a Relic skill tree exclusive to Phantom Liberty, new cyberware upgrades, and new weapons. Vehicle combat and a redesigned police pursuit system debut with the 2.0 patch bundled alongside the DLC launch.
What Phantom Liberty Adds:
- New district: Dogtown
- Standalone spy-thriller questline
- New characters including a president in exile
- Relic skill tree with new cyberware perks
- New weapons and vehicle combat (via 2.0 patch)
- Redesigned police pursuit AI
How Much Does Cyberpunk 2077 Cost?
Cyberpunk 2077 launched at $59.99 USD but has since dropped significantly in price, frequently appearing under $30 on sale across PC and console platforms, with the Ultimate Edition bundling Phantom Liberty at a further discount compared to buying separately. The base game’s original launch price reflected its AAA status. Current pricing reflects both age and the expanded competition in the RPG genre.
The Ultimate Edition lists at a higher price than the base game but represents better value for first-time buyers. Phantom Liberty as a standalone DLC costs less than the base game. Seasonal sales on Steam, GOG, and console storefronts bring prices lower still. Is the Ultimate Edition worth the price premium over the base game? For new players, absolutely.
Cyberpunk 2077 Pricing Options:
| Edition | Includes | Launch Price |
|---|---|---|
| Base Game | Cyberpunk 2077 only | $59.99 |
| Phantom Liberty DLC | Expansion only | $29.99 |
| Ultimate Edition | Base game + Phantom Liberty | $69.99 |
Where Can You Buy Cyberpunk 2077?
Cyberpunk 2077 is available on Steam and GOG for PC players, PlayStation Store for PS4 and PS5, Xbox Store for Xbox consoles, Nintendo eShop for Switch 2, with physical editions available at major retail chains. GOG is CD Projekt Red’s own storefront and offers a DRM-free version for PC buyers who prefer to own the game without platform dependency.
Where to Buy Cyberpunk 2077:
- Steam (PC) — standard digital purchase
- GOG (PC) — DRM-free version from CD Projekt Red
- PlayStation Store — PS4 and PS5
- Xbox Store — Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
- Nintendo eShop — Nintendo Switch 2
- Xbox Game Pass — included with active subscription
Xbox Game Pass subscribers access the full game at no additional purchase cost. The subscription path is the lowest-cost entry point on Xbox hardware. Steam sales and GOG promotions regularly bring PC pricing below $15 for the base game during major seasonal events.
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