Introduction to Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077, developed by CD Projekt Red, is an action role-playing game rooted in Mike Pondsmith's renowned Cyberpunk tabletop game series. Released on 10 December 2020, this game transports players into the chaotic and dystopian metropolis of Night City. The protagonist, V, is a mercenary whose life takes a wild turn after accidentally fusing with the engram of Johnny Silverhand, a rockstar-turned-terrorist (voiced by Keanu Reeves). As Johnny’s personality slowly begins to overwrite V’s own, they must work together to prevent V from losing themselves entirely.

Key Contributors Behind Cyberpunk 2077

Several key individuals were instrumental in the development of Cyberpunk 2077, including:

• Directors: Adam Badowski, Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, Gabriel Amatangelo.
• Producers: Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, Jędrzej Mróz, Przemysław Wójcik, Michał Stec.
• Writers: Marcin Blacha, Tomasz Marchewka.
• Composers: P. T. Adamczyk, Marcin Przybyłowicz, Paul Leonard-Morgan.

Game Development and Release

The development of Cyberpunk 2077 began soon after the release of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Blood and Wine in 2016. To bring this ambitious vision to life, over 500 developers from CD Projekt Red worked on the project using the REDengine 4 game engine. Additionally, CD Projekt collaborated with several partners such as Digital Scapes, Nvidia, QLOC, and Jali Research.

One of the standout aspects of the game was the heavy involvement of actor Keanu Reeves, who helped promote the game and heightened fan anticipation. The game was initially released on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Google Stadia on 10 December 2020.

Reception and Controversies

Although Cyberpunk 2077 received praise for its narrative, setting, and graphics, it was plagued by technical issues, especially on older console versions. The game’s bugs and glitches led to a significant backlash from players, with Sony even removing the game from its PlayStation Store from December 2020 to June 2021.

Despite multiple patches and updates from CD Projekt, the damage had been done, and the company faced several class-action lawsuits for allegedly downplaying the game's technical problems before release. These lawsuits were settled for $1.85 million.

However, despite these issues, Cyberpunk 2077's sales exceeded expectations. By October 2023, the game had sold over 25 million units, making it one of the highest-selling games ever. The total cost of developing and marketing Cyberpunk 2077 (including updates) was reportedly more than $436 million, making it one of the most expensive video games ever created.

Gameplay Mechanics

Cyberpunk 2077 shines in its focus on customization and player choice. The protagonist, V, is fully customizable in terms of appearance, background, abilities, and cybernetic enhancements. The game features five core attributes that affect gameplay:

1. Body
2. Intelligence
3. Reflexes
4. Technical Ability
5. Cool

Players can adopt different playstyles based on these attributes, including:

• Netrunner: Specializes in hacking.
• Techie: Focuses on machinery.
• Solo: Excels in combat.

V can perform a variety of maneuvers like sprinting, sliding, and double-jumping, with cyberware implants unlocking additional abilities. Combat in Cyberpunk 2077 is versatile, with both melee and ranged weapons, categorized into three distinct types:

• Power: Ricocheting bullets.
• Tech: Bullets that can penetrate walls.
• Smart: Homing bullets, usable with specific cyberware.

The game also emphasizes damage types, which include Physical, Thermal, Electric, and Chemical. These can be inflicted by V or enemies. Interestingly, Cyberpunk 2077 allows players to complete the game non-lethally, offering non-lethal options for weapons and combat situations.

Exploration and World Design

The vast open world of Night City is divided into six distinct regions:

1. City Centre: Corporate hub.
2. Watson: Immigrant-heavy area.
3. Westbrook: Luxurious district.
4. Heywood: A suburban, residential zone.
5. Pacifica: Infamous for gang activity, with the anarchist area known as Dogtown.
6. Santo Domingo: Industrial sector.

Beyond Night City, players can explore the surrounding Badlands, a desolate desert area. Players can traverse these locations on foot or by using various vehicles, with both first-person and third-person perspectives available for vehicle navigation.

The game features a day-night cycle and dynamic weather, which influence NPC behavior. Law enforcement may also respond if V engages in criminal activity, and NPC pedestrians can be affected by the player's actions.

Character Progression and Quests

As players progress through Cyberpunk 2077, they gain experience points from completing main quests, which are used to upgrade V’s attributes. Completing side quests earns street cred, unlocking new skills, vendors, and additional missions.

Quests are primarily assigned by characters known as Fixers, important figures in the underworld of Night City. Throughout the game, V can also be aided by various companions who play pivotal roles in the story. Consumables like food and drugs can offer temporary boosts, and various items can be inspected and used in V's inventory.

Conclusion

Cyberpunk 2077 stands as a testament to both the triumphs and challenges of modern game development. While the game offers a rich narrative, immersive setting, and highly customizable gameplay experience, its technical issues at launch impacted its legacy. Nonetheless, with strong sales figures and continued updates, Cyberpunk 2077 remains a key player in the action role-playing genre.