Cyberpunk 2077’s 2.0 update raises the bar for open-world games

It wasn’t long into Microsoft’s E3 2019 press conference that Cyberpunk 2077 was showcased alongside the famously “breathtaking” Keanu Reeves. My body shook with excitement and my internal temperature reached 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Like tender meat, all other goals and desires vanished. This game was my only concern. It became an unmoving mountain in the distance that hid everything.

It’s not all bad. Cyberpunk 2077CD Projekt Red is the developer of The Witcher 3. Wild Hunt The Witcher 3It was the appointment game, complete with sorceress immobilization and botchlings. Now came the devs’ treatment of an open-world dystopian future. Now came the devs’ treatment of an open world dystopian future. CyberpunkCDPR traded a unicorn stuffed animal for Blade Runner’s origami unicorn. What’s more, its first-person perspective drew obvious parallels to the Bethesda RPGs occupying a permanent residence in my heart; to say I was excited would be an understatement. I was concerned, but I remained optimistic despite the delays. In December 2020 the game finally launched.

Cyberpunk 20,77The weeks following became a laughing stock. Bugs were common, if not pervasive — one week after its release, it was pulled from the PlayStation Store. My experience was positive despite the issues. The PC version spared me the crippling performance problems that plagued consoles. Every mission was completed, with the exception of a bugged side-mission about a guy who had a malfunctioning genital implant.

Image: CD Projekt Red

On December 2020 Cyberpunk – 2077It felt like an amazing game, but it was still some years from release. It was a hint of what I had been looking forward to since 2019. CDPR didn’t meet my expectation, but was still satiated by the fact that an excessive amount of cubes of cheese can be technically considered as a full meal.

Years passed: Return to Work, Deathloop, Shin Megami Tensei 5, Elden Ring, Tears of the Kingdom – The Legend of Zelda, Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield. CDPR, meanwhile, did not stop its sabotage. Certain patches notes made me want to go back, but I hesitated. It wasn’t until Phantom Liberty Update 2.0, the temptation was too great to resist. Even after spending almost 150 hours with the RPG, it’s still hard to resist. StarfieldInstantly, I felt at home in the world 2.0. This potential that was apparent at the launch is now realized and it’s phoenix like ascent only makes this a greater triumph.

CDPR’s mastery of storytelling was established by the Witcher Series. Cyberpunk The trend continues. Coming off StarfieldI felt a strong impact. Cyberpunk’s immersive storytelling techniques. The narratives of are similar to those of Half-Life, in which players control their characters while the events around them unfold. This allows the game’s NPCs to chew up the scenery. They are always aware of the mood, cinematography and emotions in their environment. For example, tension inside the hotel room during the main story mission “The Heist” was palpable. From a crowded hiding place, I remember feeling claustrophobia, as I watched a tragic event unfold. I was unable to move, for fear of being noticed.

Image: CD Projekt Red

CDPR makes every interaction in a mission come to life, by letting you exist and move within the space of the action. Comparing this with StarfieldThis is a situation where the majority of storytelling occurs through dialogue, with NPCs sitting in the center of the screen and merely talking, while players are similarly tied to the conversation. The type of narrative that is possible and the level of emotional engagement that occurs are limited by this method. You only have to look at the variety of gameplay that results from Cyberpunk’The s storytelling in order to recognize the shortcomings of Starfield’s.

It’s not just the presentation of Cyberpunk’s The narrative is what makes the film so effective. Also, the script is a heavy lifter. Never hesitant to dive into the depths human depravity, this game is a must-play. Night City is a menacing place, where megacorporations are in charge. Sexual and violent desire can now be catered to at any whim thanks to technology. Even though the missions are a bit predictable, they still have the ability to surprise and disgust. A convicted killer attempts to record a braindance of his own crucifixion in one mission. Players infiltrate an snuff studio and try to retrieve footage of the murder of a young child. One unassuming side gig in Phantom Liberty V takes V to a school that tests on children to prove tax evasion, and not to help the kids. Rare is the objective that didn’t give me pause.

The first thing I read about CyberpunkThe first impression I had was of a very aggressive edgelord. But 2.0 helped me to realize it was just my perception. The game’s appearance of being overly-effortful isn’t a mistake, it was intended. V’s reactions and manner of speaking are those of a 23-year-old inhabiting this specific universe. Her actions and language are in line with her past as a lonely outsider (or corporate peon), or desensitized (or desensitized) gang member. This fact became easier to appreciate in 2.0, as various improvements have given the game a pulse that didn’t exist before.

Image: CD Projekt Red

In every direction, there is sensory data: ads, holograms and spontaneous gunfights. There are also crumbled ruin, red smoke from an airdrop, etc. The different regions have distinct threats and themes. There is no right or wrong approach, despite the fact that there are many elements vying for your attention. The quests, combats, and vignettes that give the world color are all ways to satisfy curiosity. Improved NPC behavior adds another dimension to the player’s engagement with their surroundings. They occupy themselves with activities, discuss topics unrelated to the player’s actions, and give appropriate feedback when confronted with danger or prying eyes. We are conditioned to look for deviations from patterns in video games. Cyberpunk Replaces all patterns with an overwhelming wall of noise. As a result, the world feels like it would exist even in V’s absence.

2.0 has also changed the very kinetics of V’s combat options. The 1.0 version featured an uncomplicated perk tree, and powerful abilities that resulted in a V with a lot of power. The combat system was working, so there were few reasons to alter it. 2.0’s overhauled progression system corrects this issue. The new Skill feature increases V’s effectiveness in accordance with the player’s actions, rather than the arbitrary allocation of points alone. This allows for a more organic progression of V, but still gives players full control of their abilities and passive boosts through the new perk tree. With the wide variety of Quickhacks, Cyberware and weapons available, as well the synergy between these, there is a virtually limitless number of ways to respond to an enemy. V rarely gives players explicit instructions on how to solve problems. This allows them to take control of the problem-solving process and its potential outcomes. The end-goal of missions has changed from being a fixed objective to a dynamic target.

You can now download the latest version of 2.0, and all previous updates. Cyberpunk’s launch has gone from the defining characteristic of its legacy to a sore spot in the evolution of an RPG made by masters of the genre. From the ruins of broken promises, it has become an open-world game that’s unmatched by any of its peers. The redemption of Cyberpunk is a testament to CDPR’s underlying vision and the power of persistence. Almost three years after its initial release, Phantom Liberty The first version will bring you to the front door and Version 2.0 will keep you there.