It’s no secret that Cyberpunk 2077 has worked up a bit of a bad reputation. With multiple delays of its initial release and its poor performance on older consoles, it was considered to be a bit of a flop. However, I would argue that Cyberpunk actually has some really fantastic elements that shouldn’t be overlooked. Especially considering that the devs have been consistently updating the game since its release and fixing bugs. Whilst its release was certainly chaotic, Cyberpunk 2077 has since shaped up to be a hugely entertaining and well-rounded game! Here’s why:
10. Stunning Environment
Be prepared to spend hours roaming around...
One of the most appealing aspects of Cyberpunk 2077 is certainly its environment. Night City is absolutely huge and filled to the brim with detail. From the tight and cramped slums to the vast open spaces of the nomads, there is plenty to explore in this game.
The entire play area spans around 100+ square kilometres. If you want a comparison, GTA V’s Los Santos is only 75 square kilometres! This game is stunning, and if you’ve got some high-quality 4k hardware, you can enjoy Cyberpunk 2077 in 1440p resolution with ray tracing for some truly impressive details. Whilst maxed-out settings can be quite demanding for some systems, the game is still gorgeous when set on lower qualities.
9. Great Soundtrack
Great for speeding down neon-lit highways.
We all know that a soundtrack can make or break a game. Luckily, Cyberpunk 2077 consists of a brilliant soundtrack dipping into the genres of techno, synthpop, and rock. Blared out from the game’s fictional radio stations, you’ll feel like a real edge runner as you speed through the streets of Night City and engage in intense high-speed chases.
The Cyberpunk 2077 soundtrack features music from brilliant artists such as Grimes, Run the Jewels, SOPHIE, and even Samurai! The whole soundtrack was released in two volumes, with an extra extended EP followed by 4 more volumes of in-game radio music. If you really want to get in the cyberpunk mood, these are great fun to listen to in or outside the game!
8. Fully Voiced Main Character
We all know why you're spending so long in the customisation section...
One thing that you don’t see a whole lot in RPGs of this size and length is fully-voiced main characters. Compared to other games containing a hybrid of text and voice-acting, Cyberpunk 2077 certainly doesn’t skip out on dialogue. Whether you choose a masculine or feminine voice, you’ll get to enjoy all of V’s quips and dialogue from start to finish.
The role of V was played by two brilliant voice actors, Gavin Drea and Cherami Leigh. I personally believe they don’t get enough praise for it as it really was a phenomenal piece of work! The game offers an extensive amount of character customisation so V really becomes whoever you want them to be.
7. Fun Weapons
Because who doesn't want to end a life with a vibrator?
Cyberpunk 2077 offers an extensive amount of cool and entertaining weapons. From guns to blades built into your literal flesh, there’s a lot to play around with. As you progress through the game, more powerful and unique weapons will become available to you. You’ll also be able to purchase cybernetic upgrades to increase your own physical strength and weaponry.
There are literally hundreds of swords, knives, and guns at your disposal, including 48 extremely iconic weapons that players like to hunt for. One of the wackiest weapons to use is definitely Sir John Phallustiff. If you’ve been looking for a game where you can kill someone with a giant, pink dildo then look no further! There’s also Skippy, a gun with an AI system built into it that comments on basically everything you do. But be aware, Skippy isn’t the most helpful guy.
6. Freedom of Choice
What kind of life do you want? Let's hope you didn't ask for a long one.
Whilst Cyberpunk 2077 may not seem like a choice-heavy game from the outside, they actually play a very important role throughout the game. From the very start, you’ll have to choose a life path. Nomad, Streetkid, or Corpo. This initial choice will impact the opening cinematic of the game and also determine certain dialogue and action options later on.
Cyberpunk 2077 contains 5 specific endings, including a secret ending which can be achieved by following specific choices throughout the game. These endings are mainly determined by how V chooses to face the final mission. But don’t underestimate the power of your choices from earlier in the game, as these will also have an impact on what is available to you.
5. Awesome Side Characters
The good guys are cool. The bad guys are even cooler. What more do you want?
Aside from the beloved Johnny Silverhand, Cyberpunk 2077 is full of memorable and badass side-characters. With various personalities to team up with and some pretty epic character design, there’s no doubt you’ll fall in love with these characters.
There are around 62 side-characters to meet, all with their own unique styles and agendas. All individually voiced, Cyberpunk 2077 features several well-known voice actors such as Alpha Takahashi (From Starfield and Ghost of Tsushima), Robbie Daymund (From Halo Infinite and Hi-Fi Rush), and Keanu Reeves (Star of the Matrix and John Wick).
4. Immersive Story
Try not to go cyberpsycho, won't you?
The storyline of Cyberpunk 2077 is genuinely so entertaining and immersive. Playing as V, a mercenary who is dealing with the consequences of a heist gone wrong, you’ll have to make your way through Night City chasing leads that could lead you to salvation. There are also plenty of side-missions to get through, taking you through some pretty intriguing and unique stories.
If you’re a casual player of this game, it’ll take you around 24 hours to get through the main campaign. If you’re the type who likes to get all the achievements and collectables, you’ll be spending roughly 103 hours deep in the heart of Night City. Considering there are also several endings, this game has plenty of replayability and there’s also something new to be found.
3. Keanu Reeves
If I could give you one reason to play this game it'd be him.
Johnny Silverhand is one of the aspects of Cyberpunk 2077 that it is most known for. Keanu Reeves’ role in the game was arguably the main reason behind all the hype. The beloved star of John Wick and The Matrix plays a huge role in the story, playing as a badass rockstar turned vigilante in Night City. This character has a truly awesome appearance and backstory and he will (literally) be stuck in your head for the entire game.
After a surprise appearance at E3 in 2019, players were absolutely ecstatic about Reeve’s role in the game. And rightly so. His inclusion in the game boosted its popularity, so it’s no surprise that Keanu was allegedly paid around $30 million for the role. He was a truly perfect casting for the character, becoming the most beloved and memorable character in the game.
2. Complex Relationships
One-armed vigilante rockstars not included.
Relationships are an important aspect of Cyberpunk 2077. The dialogue and choices you make within certain scenes will impact how characters perceive you and their future decisions towards you. Like most choice-based games, Cyberpunk 2077 includes several romance options. Four, to be exact. Unfortunately for all of us, Johnny Silverhand is not one of them (Although some modders have solved this problem…).
Interestingly, your ability to romance certain characters will depend on your character creation choices. Each romanceable character has their own unique preferences and will either accept or reject your advances depending on previous actions. Once you successfully romance a character, you’ll be able to get up close and personal in some rather spicy cinematics (Wink, wink).
1. Replayability
Play it again and again and again and again and--
After its latest bug fixes, Cyberpunk 2077 actually has a lot of replayability value. As your choices impact the fate of V and the stories of the characters around you, there’s plenty of paths to take in new playthroughs. There are also a considerable amount of ways to get through the game in terms of weapons and cybernetic upgrades, so it’s worth trying to see how well you do with different builds!
There are several aspects of the story impacted by the gender of your character, including the romance options so it’s definitely worth switching things up and playing as the opposite sex! The creators of Cyberpunk 2077 have also recently released the Phantom Liberty expansion, offering 5 more exciting endings. To those who have already played the main game, this expansion is well worth a playthrough!
You May Be Interested In:
