Cyberpunk 2077 – Deep Dive 2019 highlights

From CD Projekt Red, the studio behind The Witcher game series, comes Cyberpunk 2077. With all the trappings of a highly advanced, and quite dysfunctional society, you’re playing V, plying their trade in Night City.

We get thrown into Pacifica, one of the 6 districts of Night City. V’s run in with the Voodoo Boys, a gang specializing in stealth and use of the network. They’re also the ones effectively ruling Pacifica. The Grand Imperial Mall seems to have become a nest for The Animals, a rival gang. They’re not gathering here for no reason, and it’s up to you to find out. You’ll have to take care of this Animal business and their boss, the Sasquatch, to earn the Voodoo Boys’ trust. This lady’s the boss around here, with the looks and strength to back it up.

Two main methods of game styles are introduced: “Strong Solo” and “Netrunner”. Strong Solo, as the name implies, focuses on the raw strength and brute force. Take direct action, break open locks and smash in faces. Netrunner goes the tech, stealth route. Hack everything you can get your hands on, from equipment used by enemies, or even the cyberwear an enemy is using. The “Cool” stat determines how calm your character will be in high tension situations.

Once you confront Sasquatch, you can get a choice to kill her, or spare her. Choices you make will have consequence. The freedom to choose is stressed a lot, and the story will be reacting to that. Even from the very beginning, when choosing your “life path” backstory, you can start with completely different people, and your very first step in Night City can be vastly different from someone else’s. The knowledge you gain from your actions can open up even more branches, and the possibilities seem endless. The roleplaying element is key, and V becomes your own character.

You don’t need to be a strict “Solo” or “Netrunner”. Mix and match the attributes you want to give you flexibility in every situation you’re in. What do you need to go up against the Animals? Maybe you’d move to disobey the Voodoo Boys at your own risk. How about the Netwatch, the Voodoo Boys’ polar opposite? The powers in play are constantly pushing up against each other, and everyone’s looking out for themselves. Even Johnny Silverhand. Who is he? Why is he with you? Remember your choices.

Exploring is highly encouraged. Many things are stuffed in the areas for you to spot them if you take the time to wander. This once again ties to the incredible customization promised to players, and the choices made throughout the story. You can get contacted by “fixers” within the districts to do jobs which will be tailored according to their location. As it stands, the map is meant to look like a cloud upload of the city. They want players to be fully immersed, experiencing the world the same way as the character.

Now then, you might be wondering about the cyberwear. One of your implants is from a mandatory plot event, and more of these story occasions could provide other enhancements. Otherwise, exploring could net you something. Get street cred by completing missions, and more vendors would be willing to sell you their wares. You can progress through the story without killing anyone, but violence is unavoidable.

There’s three flavours of weaponry revealed so far: the smart guns with homing bullets, the tech weapons that possess additional capabilities, and the power weapons that are reworked from their base form. Hope you like getting an eight barrel shotgun! Night City is your oyster. Are you ready for it?

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Cyberpunk 2077

Publisher: CD Projekt Red

Developer: CD Projekt Red

Release Date: 2020-12-10

Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Play as V, wanting to make their mark in Night City. Tech is a lot of things, and there'll be plenty to find here. With immense character customization and many story branches waiting for you to discover, what will your Cyberpunk experience be?