So I've
finally finished Cyberpunk 2077 and to be honest, I adore this game. This is only the second time I've started replaying a game right after finishing it (playing twice even with a break is rare for me, I like moving on) and the only other time it happened was with Witcher 3. I've mentioned before about how being a huge fan of the OG Deus Ex and Witcher 3, this being related to both in mant ways, hits a certain sweet spot for me. So here are a few things reasons/ thoughts:
- Night City. This is pretty easily the best video game world I've ever experienced. The Witcher 3 set a new benchmark and Rockstar have always made really believable worlds which they again did with RDR2. But the sheer density, detail and mastery with which Night City has been put together is really remarkable. Sometimes I forget I'm actually in a game and start feeling like a tourist ogling about at the something new spotted a-far. Which is why I spend half my time taking screenshots on the PS5.
- Gameplay. As mentioned above, I went for a tech/smart weapons all action gunner build getting Sandivestan along the way which basically makes you a more badass version of Neo. The shooting mechanics in this game are a lot better than I expected, and I didn't really get bored along the way - finished all the gigs and side missions too.
- Enjoyed the RPG mechanics too. Understand they may not have been optimised earlier, but they're pretty good now. For the next edition, I think they should add some more game altering cyberware. Kerenzikov, hacking, Sandevistan and the changes to jumping are good, but maybe a few more things / actions that trigger based the situation and cybermods (for example special melee moves - I think is coming soon, maybe some telekenisis type shit)
- The story, characters and writing were the other big hook for me. I found the main story riveting - really grabs you by the balls. Of course it is at odds with the open world structure but I find that easy to suspend that being the naive gamer that I am. But it was a lot more personal and full of heart than I thought it would be. That's been my issue with the recent Deus Ex games (HR and MD) where everything feels robotic whereas despite the topics this journey with V felt human, for the lack of a better world. And just when I was racing through the story a bit too fast I decided to focus on the side quests, and fecking hell, some of the content is just incredible. When I actually decided to dive into them, I realised that how well they flesh out these characters and relationships and pretty much each of them felt believable and real. That's where Judy, Panam and the rest of V's world is fleshed out into something more meaningful. Special mention to expectedly fantastic stuff like Johnny's side quest which was lovely, the Peralez' questline, the cross BD chap and of course River Ward.
- And I've heard he was controversial, but Johnny Silverhand has to be the best companion I've experienced in gaming. The back and forth between him and V and the little smart / bad ass comments were fecking great.
Alright I'm done creaming myself. Phew.
