When Cyberpunk 2077 launched in December 2020, it was a game that promised everything—an immersive dystopian world, deep RPG mechanics, and a rebellious punk ethos. What we got instead was a spectacularly ambitious game buried under the weight of its own hype, plagued with bugs, and nearly unplayable on last-gen consoles. It would have been easy to call this game a failure. But Polish studio CD Projekt Red kept fixing the bugs, rolling out massive patches, and now, in 2024, Cyberpunk 2077 is finally the game it was meant to be.
Today, this is a fabulous open-world RPG with loads of replay value. Whether you want to dive into the gritty streets of Night City as a street kid, corpo, or nomad, the game offers endless possibilities for customization, exploration, and chaotic fun. And if the latest rumors are true, we might even see Cyberpunk 2077 launch on the Nintendo Switch 2, making it more accessible than ever.
The World of Night City: A Dystopian Dream
Night City is the game’s most punk rock achievement. It’s chaotic, sleazy, dangerous, and absolutely stunning. The city pulses with life—neon-drenched streets filled with cyber-enhanced mercenaries, corpo sellouts, and desperate street punks trying to make a name for themselves. It’s a playground for rebellion, where every alleyway and megacorp tower tells a story of exploitation and resistance.
Story & Characters: Pure Punk Rebellion
The narrative is classic anti-authority cyberpunk. You play as V, a mercenary who ends up with the consciousness of Johnny Silverhand (played by Keanu Reeves) stuck in their head. Silverhand is a rockstar revolutionary—a character straight out of punk mythology, fighting against the corporate machine. His character embodies the anarchic, nihilistic energy of punk rock, even if his methods are sometimes questionable.
The supporting cast is equally compelling. Characters like Judy Alvarez, a rebellious braindance technician fighting against systemic oppression, and Panam Palmer, a Nomad leader who refuses to be controlled, add to the game’s punk credibility. Their stories are rich, emotional, and filled with choices that actually matter.
Gameplay: A Mixed Bag with Solid Fixes
At launch, Cyberpunk 2077 suffered from technical disasters. Glitches, broken AI, and game-breaking bugs made it more of a frustrating experience than a cyberpunk revolution. However, after years of updates, the game is now polished, stable, and finally feels like a true RPG.
The combat is fluid, with a mix of gunplay, hacking, and melee combat that allows for varied playstyles. Want to be a stealthy netrunner hacking cameras and frying enemies’ cyberware? Go for it. Prefer a sledgehammer and a “kick down the door” approach? That works too. The ability to customize your cyberware enhances the experience, making you feel like a true cyber-enhanced punk.
The Soundtrack: Punk AF
If there’s one thing Cyberpunk 2077 nails, it’s the music. The soundtrack features raw punk energy, industrial chaos, and aggressive electronic beats that perfectly capture the game’s rebellious spirit. Bands like Refused (who perform as Johnny Silverhand’s band, Samurai), Health, and Run the Jewels add to the anarchic soundscape of Night City. Whether you’re tearing through the city on a neon-lit motorcycle or getting into a shootout with corporate goons, the music keeps the adrenaline pumping.
Phantom Liberty Expansion: The Game-Changer
The Phantom Liberty expansion, released in 2023, is the game’s saving grace. It introduces a spy-thriller storyline starring Idris Elba and adds new areas, quests, and gameplay mechanics that enhance the core experience. More importantly, it proves that CD Projekt Red learned from their mistakes, refining the game into something truly special.
Final Verdict: Cyberpunk or Corporate?
Cyberpunk 2077 is a game of contradictions. It’s a rebellious, anti-corporate story created by a massive corporation that fumbled the launch but ultimately delivered a fantastic experience after years of fixes. Now, in its fully patched state with the Phantom Liberty expansion, it’s a must-play for fans of dystopian worlds, immersive storytelling, and chaotic, punk-fueled rebellion.
Score: 8.5/10
It may have taken years to get here, but Cyberpunk 2077 has finally earned its place as a true cyberpunk experience—flaws and all. Just like punk itself, it’s messy, raw, and imperfect, but that’s part of its charm. If you skipped it because of the rocky launch, now’s the time to jump into Night City and raise some hell.
