There are few releases that were as highly anticipated as CD Projekt Red’sCyberpunk 2077, with gamers across the globe watching in preparation for their journey in the fictional Night City. Thepromotional material promised an experience like no other, taking the world of Mike Pondsmith’sCyberpunk 2020tabletop RPG to the video game medium, with the developer of the universally adoredThe Witcher 3: Wild Huntat the helm.
The reality ofCyberpunk 2077was far more bleak than what was initially proposed, as the game received mass criticism.Cyberpunk 2077was plagued by subpar visuals, inconsistent frame rates, and frequent crashes, with the latter rendering much of the experience on a base PS4 or Xbox One almost unplayable. It’s one of the most significant blunders in recent memory, as the hype surrounding the title was eight years in the making. However,Cyberpunk 2077has now been out for well over a year, and regular updates and patches have greatly improved the game’s polish, so the game’s shot at redemption is often a topic of conversation.
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Cyberpunk 2077: A Glitch in the Gorgeous System
Night City is an unforgettable settingfor any RPG to unfold in. The tabletop game from whichCyberpunk 2077is inspired by presents a cramped, neon-infused skyline of corporate greed, and seedy crime, providing the perfect playground for players to wreak havoc. It’s the cornerstone of the franchise’s success, and thoughCyberpunk 2077’s take on the location has moments of wonder, the frequent bugs, ugly textures, and broken gameplay mechanics means the positives of the presentation were severely undermined by just how unsightly the game could look at times.
However, with this being the topic of much of the game’s criticisms, CD Projekt Red has taken the matter seriously, releasing several patches to reduce the issues. In particular, the next-gen update andpatch 1.5 did much to restore the game’s woeful reputation; with new apartments, additional weapons, improved DualSense features, and numerous quality of life changes to makeCyberpunk 2077altogether more worthy of its name. The title is far closer to the trailers and pre-release material than ever before, and while there is a way to go until it truly becomes what it promised all those years ago, the redemption arc is firmly in motion.
CD Projekt Red in the Court of Public Opinion
At is core,Cyberpunk 2077promised immersion and escapism, but expectations had to be severely reconsidered upon its release, with the developer biting off far more than it could chew. All these months later, the game’s redemption is ultimately at the mercy of those who played it at its worst state, withmillions of preorders worldwide. The overwhelming backlash from fans that resulted fromCyberpunk 2077’s issues would be too much for any developer to handle. However, CD Projekt Red is beloved by millions since the 2015 release ofThe Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, with many believing the latter to be one of the finest games of the last generation.
Instead of softening the blow, the success of theWitcherseries madeCyberpunk 2077’s inconsistencies feel like all the more of a betrayal. But with the developer working tirelessly to cover the blemishes, and to finally offer a product fitting of the anticipation,CD Projekt Red fans are slowly being won backby the way in which the Polish studio handles the title moving forward.Cyberpunk 2077is undoubtedly in its best state since release, and the likelihood of the developer’s reputation being rehabilitated in the eyes of gamers everywhere is higher than ever.
Cyberpunk 2077has a long way to go until it becomes the game that was worthy of almost a decade of excitement. Patch 1.5 is the most significant step in the best direction possible, and though the comeback may not be entirely fulfilled, the upcoming majorDLC content has a litany of narrative avenues that can be explored, which could firmly cementCyberpunk 2077as a must-play for RPG fans. Like theHearts of StoneandBlood and Wineexpansions adding so much more content forThe Witcher 3, the developer’s take on Night City is far from over, and the steps taken thus far meansCyberpunk 2077may finally have a shot at redemption.
Cyberpunk 2077is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
