The Problem with Cyberpunk 2077

There are few games that have caused as much as a stir as Cyberpunk 2077 in recent memory. Maybe since Mass Effect 3.

Love it or hate it, Cyberpunk will change the game industry, preferably for the better, but possibly for the worst. CD Projekt Red has done it again, but not in the way they thought they would.

The problem with Cyberpunk lies in it's presentation. Touted as the next big another-life-style game, it ultimately fell flat with a poorly paced storyline, abysmal performance, and shallow promises. Now, CD is in clean up mode, instead of pulling an Anthem and scrapping the game completely, they are trying to save an already sinking ship.

I had forgotten about Cyberpunk in all honesty. I played it. I enjoyed parts of it. I hated others. But once I deleted it and sold my copy, I never thought about it again. Until today, Feb. 15, 2022, when CD announced and released the "next gen" version of the game. Ugh.

This version promises improved performance, UI, and quality of life additions. All of which were not available at the original launch. Is there enough there to bring me back? Eh, maybe for less than $15, not a cent more.

Personally, I thought that the best part of Cyberpunk was the gameplay in combat. Let me say that again; in combat. In my run, I ran a katana build with a tech revolver as a back up option, and while I was slicing up junkies and cyber infused baddies, it was an exhilarating experience. This aspect of the game kept me in for the 70+ hours that I played in the game.

Now, the other aspects of gameplay? Tedious and underwhelming. The driving was clunky. I don't know why these developers don't just steal the GTA driving formula because Rockstar crafted the perfect driving physics and mechanics and other games just can't compare.

Driving was just not fun. I did it to get around and to fully experience the world and game, but after a while I just fast traveled everywhere due to it being easier and because there was no reason to drive anymore. I had discovered everything I could on the road.

Next is the world design. Although a pretty, neon lit, and dense urban environment surrounded by wasteland, it feels empty. The crowds are small and robotic, the AI suck, especially so in the so called police force of Night City. It is a city, much like it's protagonist, is inorganic. Everything that happens while out in the city feels like it was programmed to happen, and not just happening organically. Want to do a side mission? Drive to that marker and do it. That is the only interaction you have with Night City. Different markers placed poorly around the world.

The soundtrack does more for the world than the world itself. Besides the combat, this is the only other aspect that I didn't have a issue with.

The presentation and UI is also awful. It is confusing to use, and it takes way too long to get to certain places. For example, the mission, and messaging system. I had no way to delete messages, so all the important stuff was lost in all the junk. Plus, you bought vehicles through this feature, and that was a miserable hassle in of itself.

I need to stop talking about the gameplay because this is not a review.

What I do want to talk about is the affect Cyberpunk has on the industry. Ultimately hyped to be the next big thing. The next Skyrim, Witcher 3, or Breath of the Wild. This game was supposed to change game design and gameplay.

But to everyone's surprise, it didn't.

Instead it has led to the disenfranchisement of what was thought to be one of the most consumer friendly game developer's in the business, and a distrust for future titles.

But what I want to point out is this idea that all games can have a No Mans Sky storyline.

But I don't believe there is a redemption for this game. Or for the industry.

A lot of video games release "incomplete" in my opinion, and are used as a test run for what the developer needs to add and what to improve. Games like Left 4 Dead or the Bungie Halo's no longer exist. There feels like a lack of love and investment in these new games. It's concerning to say the least.

Games just don't feel as complete and love letters to the medium like they used to. Nobody is trying to push it any further than the checkbook. Red Dead Redemption 2 gave us a saving grace, until what was learned behind the scenes. Developers these days are pushing the envelop like they used to. That may be due to the technology reaching a peak, and the mainstream level that the video game industry has finally reached. There's a crossroads up ahead.

Game developers can look at Cyberpunk and CD and tell themselves that they can do better. Or they might look at it and see a great way to make cash, at the expense of being public enemy #1 for a few months.

Cyberpunk 2077 unfortunately confirms this storyline. It's pointing to how major AAA releases can be released half-assed and incomplete, and still find a way to find commercial success. Note commercial success not critical success. Battlefield 2042 is being run through the blender at the moment, but like BFV it could still find the light at the end of the tunnel. Cyberpunk has already found it.

Great!