Cyberpunk 2077: It Was ALWAYS GOOD And Now It’s GODLY

To commence this review, let's delve back into the narrative of the base game of Cyberpunk 2077. When I initially experienced the main story in 2020, it was generally positive, albeit with some room for improvement. The first act concluded abruptly, the introduction to the life path felt rushed, but the mission structure, action sequences, diverse locations, and the characters you encountered were both memorable and believable.

Upon revisiting the story in 2023, exploring multiple endings and revisiting pivotal moments, my admiration for Cyberpunk 2077 deepened. Night City stands as a dynamic world, where powerful megacorporations dominate the skies and street gangs control the streets. This technologically advanced society has devolved into a brutal, survival-driven era. Night City is a vibrant yet ruthlessly challenging metropolis, filled with lofty promises and dreams. It's designed to crush your hopes, constantly battling against you with its pervasive corruption and brutality.

CDPR excels at creating scenes that exude distinctive moods and atmospheres in Cyberpunk. The game shines in crafting unique and multifaceted characters. Each companion in the game has their distinct subplots and arcs that depict growth and development.

Upon revisiting the Cyberpunk story, I've gained a newfound appreciation for CDPR's skill in writing characters and constructing immersive scenes. The game introduces various characters who may only make brief appearances but leave a lasting impact. Their language, motivations, and interactions make them authentic and believable. This is in stark contrast to the sometimes stiff and awkward companion interactions in games like Starfield, as I discussed in a recent video.

The story in Cyberpunk follows V, beginning with one of three life paths you choose. It eventually converges with V meeting Jackie Welles, embarking on a journey as a mercenary aiming for the big leagues. V's journey introduces players to various corporations, gangs, and thought-provoking concepts like Cyberspace, Braindancing, and mind uploading. The story offers numerous opportunities to explore these ideas in both the main plot and side quests. Initially, I found "Edgerunners" to have a more compelling story than "2077," particularly due to its focus on body modification and cyber-psychosis, which "2077" only scratches the surface of in comparison.

In many ways, this applies to several aspects of the main story in Cyberpunk. The world offers a broad range of experiences, but it sometimes lacks depth, at least that was my initial perception. However, upon revisiting the game, I realized that unlike "Edgerunners," "2077" crafts a world that to some extent adapts to the player's choices, presenting captivating micro-stories often branching off from the main narrative.

One significant realization during my second playthrough was my changed perception of Keanu Reeves's character, Johnny Silverhand. In 2020, I struggled to connect with him, finding him unlikable. This time, by making different dialogue choices and attempting to understand the character, Johnny became one of my favorite characters by the end of the game. The shared journey of survival between V and Johnny resonated deeply and aligned with the theme of making the most out of life and the legacy one leaves behind. The narrative of Cyberpunk gains more depth with each of its multiple endings, offering diverse lenses through which to view V's survival and the significant impact of your chosen ending on the overarching theme of legacy and the value of life.

While Cyberpunk's story may not be flawless, my second playthrough left me even more captivated. There are moments, characters, and locations that are indelibly etched into memory, especially during the second run.

Now, I'd like to discuss the themes and certain aspects of the Cyberpunk experience that might be considered spoilers if you haven't played the base game. I'll provide a timestamp here, but feel free to return once you've played the game.

Cyberpunk's narrative grapples with the themes of identity, both in its literal and metaphorical senses, the legacy one leaves behind, and the quest to make the most of life. V's journey is one of survival, a constant struggle to maintain their identity and way of life, a theme woven throughout the story but most poignantly conveyed through its multiple endings. Each ending necessitates some form of sacrifice, whether it be principles, identity, lifestyle, or lifespan. Regardless of the path chosen, there's always a bittersweet sense of loss and acceptance, leaving room for open-ended interpretation of what comes next. The collection of endings paints a vivid picture of V's journey, relationships, and place in the world. Unlike "Edgerunners," which delves deeply into specific topics, Cyberpunk uses these concepts as touchstones to contextualize the world and its systems through side quests and sub-stories. The core of Cyberpunk's story revolves around the transformative journey, exemplified in the evolving relationship with Johnny Silverhand, portrayed by Keanu Reeves. When first encountered, Johnny is abrasive, but as the journey unfolds, your actions and heartfelt conversations reveal a profound character evolution, mirroring your V's transformation. This nuanced aspect was initially overlooked in my first playthrough, significantly altering my perspective during the second.