Cyberpunk 2077: One Year Later

At the time of publishing this review, it has been exactly one year since the initial release of Cyberpunk 2077 (December 10, 2020).

Despite its massive success in the sales department, Cyberpunk 2077 had one of the worst debuts a game of its size could have had. Is the situation any different now that the game has been out for exactly one year? Is it worth paying the price for Cyberpunk 2077, especially if you're playing on an older console (PlayStation/Xbox One)?

The short answer is no. Aside from slight performance improvements, Cyberpunk 2077 remains the same game it was when it was first released. None of the free DLC or expansions promised before the game's release have been delivered either.

Why Were Expectations So High?

At Microsoft's 2018 E3 Expo, the first in-game footage of Cyberpunk 2077 was shown, followed by real gameplay a few months later. The game's initial reveal consisted of an hour-long demo that discussed the game's many mechanics and demonstrated the game's distinctive environment. Nothing was shown for over a year until the next E3, which culminated in the announcement of Keanu Reeves' involvement as the game's primary side character. At this time, the excitement for Cyberpunk 2077 had grown exponentially, and considering the success of the developer's previous game, The Witcher 3, many believed that Cyberpunk 2077 would be phenomenal.

However, almost everybody would be sorely disappointed with the final result. There were unfulfilled promises, poor performance in-game, and an overall sense that the game was published before it was complete.

Initial Launch

Most people are aware that the game's performance on the PS4 and Xbox One, the game's intended platforms, was horrible. When the game wasn't functioning poorly, it would frequently glitch out during quests, preventing players from advancing through the game.

The situation deteriorated to the point that Sony was forced to pull the game from its PlayStation shop, which has almost never happened to a blockbuster title like Cyberpunk 2077. In June 2021, the game was re-released on the PlayStation Store, although with a warning for those with PS4 devices. The game is currently playable on the new PS5 and Xbox Series X/S consoles.

As for the gameplay, Cyberpunk 2077 was also greatly lacking. Due to development starting back in 2011, many of the game's mechanics are almost a decade old. The innovations that may have been unique at the time of development are already implemented in other games. Thus, Cyberpunk 2077 doesn't necessarily bring anything new to the table.

Storyline and Environment

Despite its flaws regarding gameplay and performance, Cyberpunk 2077's plot, personalities, and world are fantastic. If you're fortunate enough to be able to play the game on a PC with no problems or glitches, you'll probably like what it has to offer. Although the cast of characters in Cyberpunk 2077 isn't too large, each character is well-thought-out and has unique interactions with other characters.

While the game is very short, especially when compared to the CD Projekt RED's (Cyberpunk 2077's Developer) previous titles, the game's numerous endings are all entertaining to explore. However, the character creation and RPG elements are essentially trivial, and the life path you pick has little impact on the game.

Night City is a gorgeous city, but only when flaws in the gameplay don't express themselves in the form of faulty NPCs or graphics. It also helps that the game has fantastic music, which further immerses the player into the world of Cyberpunk 2077.

Verdict: Is Cyberpunk 2077 Worth The Price?

The truth is that the answer to this question is, "it depends." If you have a fast PC and want to play in a unique environment with distinct characters and a solid plot, then go for it. However, the game's console performance is still lacking, but if you own a PS5 or Xbox Series X/S, you may want to give it a try. Otherwise, Cyberpunk 2077 may not be worth your time.

While CD Projekt RED constantly claims that the game will be fixed, this review will only rate the game based on its current state, which has many shortcomings. If you still want to play the game despite its flaws, it is recommended that you purchase it during a discount or sale. If not, you will have to wait a while longer for the "full version" of Cyberpunk 2077.

Story: 4/5 Gameplay: 3/5 Graphics: 5/5 Music: 4/5

Performance: 2/5

Images:

Cyberpunk 2077 - from the Creators of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, https://www.cyberpunk.net/ca/en/.

“Cyberpunk 2077 Release Delayed: Here's All You Need to Know about the New Launch Date.” DNA India, https://www.dnaindia.com/sports/report-cyberpunk-2077-release-delayed-here-s-all-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-launch-date-2852834.

Gonzalez, Oscar. “Keanu Reeves to Star in Cyberpunk 2077, with Release Date of April 2020.” CNET, CNET, 11 June 2019, https://www.cnet.com/news/keanu-reeves-to-star-in-cyberpunk-2077-release-date-april-2020/.

Peters, Jay. “Cyberpunk 2077's Microsoft Store Listing Now Has a Warning for Bugs.” The Verge, The Verge, 19 Dec. 2020, https://www.theverge.com/2020/12/18/22189918/cyberpunk-2077-microsoft-store-listing-warning-label.

“r/Wallpapers - Night City, Cyberpunk 2077 [3840x2160].” Reddit, https://www.reddit.com/r/wallpapers/comments/byx79q/night_city_cyberpunk_2077_3840x2160/.