Cyberpunk 2077 is an action role-playing game (RPG) developed and published by CD Projekt Red. Set in a dystopian open-world metropolis called Night City, it combines a gripping narrative, first-person combat, futuristic technology, and player choice.
Released in December 2020, the game was one of the most anticipated titles of the decade, primarily due to its massive scale, deep lore, and cinematic storytelling. Despite a rocky launch, Cyberpunk 2077 has undergone significant improvements and updates, including the acclaimed Phantom Liberty expansion in 2023.
This article covers everything you need to know — from gameplay, characters, system requirements, and tips to whether it’s worth playing in 2025.
📖 Storyline and Setting
Cyberpunk 2077 is set in Night City, a megacity located in the Free State of California. The city is divided into six distinct regions, each with its own culture, gangs, and politics.
You play as V, a mercenary whose appearance, background, and skillset can be fully customized. The story unfolds based on player decisions, with multiple endings.
🔍 Key Themes:
- Corporate greed and capitalism
- Cybernetic augmentation
- Artificial intelligence
- Individual freedom vs. societal control
🌆 Important Locations in Night City:
| District | Description |
|---|---|
| Watson | Former industrial zone, now home to immigrants and gangs. |
| Westbrook | Luxury lifestyle, home to rich elites and the Tyger Claws gang. |
| Pacifica | War-torn and gang-ridden zone with abandoned hotels and empty malls. |
| Santo Domingo | Industrial hub powering Night City. |
| Heywood | Residential zone with gang conflicts. |
| City Center | Corporate HQs and business zone, highly secure and flashy. |
🎮 Gameplay Overview
Cyberpunk 2077 offers a first-person RPG experience, but with options for stealth, hacking, gunfights, and non-lethal playthroughs.
⚔️ Core Gameplay Elements:
- Gunplay & Combat: Ranged and melee weapons, quickhacks, cyberware attacks.
- Dialogue Choices: Branching conversations that impact the story.
- Skills & Perks: 5 main attributes — Body, Reflexes, Intelligence, Technical Ability, and Cool.
- Hacking: Breach security systems, disable enemies, and create chaos remotely.
- Vehicles: Cars, motorcycles, and access to fast travel.
- Romance Options: Deep interactions with main characters like Judy, Panam, River, and Kerry.
🧠 Character Development
V’s character progression revolves around both main story missions and side gigs.
🎯 Attributes and Skills Table:
| Attribute | Description | Related Skills |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Strength and health | Athletics, Annihilation, Street Brawler |
| Reflexes | Speed and evasion | Blades, Handguns, Assault |
| Intelligence | Hacking and breach protocols | Quickhacking, Breach Protocol |
| Technical Ability | Crafting and engineering | Crafting, Engineering |
| Cool | Stealth and composure | Stealth, Cold Blood |
Every skill can be upgraded independently, allowing for unique builds like Netrunner (hacker), Street Samurai (combat), or Techie (gadgets and crafting).
👤 Main Characters
Cyberpunk 2077 shines due to its well-written characters.
🌟 Notable Characters:
| Character | Role |
|---|---|
| V | The protagonist (customizable) |
| Johnny Silverhand | Rebel rocker and ex-soldier (played by Keanu Reeves) |
| Panam Palmer | Ex-nomad from the Aldecaldos, romanceable |
| Judy Alvarez | Braindance expert, romanceable |
| River Ward | Ex-cop and romance option |
| Kerry Eurodyne | Musician and former bandmate of Johnny |
| Dexter DeShawn | Fixer who gives you a major early job |
Johnny Silverhand is central to the narrative. Due to a relic implant gone wrong, V starts sharing their mind and body with Johnny, creating an evolving dynamic.
🛠️ System Requirements
🖥️ Minimum and Recommended PC Requirements:
| Requirement | Minimum Specs | Recommended Specs |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 10 (64-bit) |
| CPU | Intel Core i5-3570K / AMD FX-8310 | Intel Core i7-4790 / AMD Ryzen 3 3200G |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| GPU | GTX 780 / RX 470 | GTX 1060 / R9 Fury |
| Storage | 70 GB (SSD recommended) | 70 GB SSD |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
📝 Note: For ray tracing, an RTX 2060 or higher is recommended.
🌐 Platforms Supported
Cyberpunk 2077 is available on:
- PC (Steam, GOG, Epic Games)
- PlayStation 4 & 5
- Xbox One & Series X/S
- Google Stadia (service discontinued)
- GeForce NOW (cloud gaming)
🔁 Major Updates & Patches
Cyberpunk 2077 had a bumpy start. The game launched with many bugs, especially on consoles. However, CD Projekt Red has since released numerous patches and updates.
🚀 Key Milestones:
| Update | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Patch 1.2 | Major bug fixes, police system improvement |
| Patch 1.5 | Next-gen console update, improved AI and driving |
| Patch 2.0 | Total gameplay overhaul: skill trees, cyberware, perks, and enemy AI rework |
| Phantom Liberty (DLC) | New district “Dogtown”, spy-thriller story, characters like Solomon Reed (Idris Elba) |
Phantom Liberty was critically acclaimed and fixed many of the game’s core problems.
🕵️ Side Quests and Gigs
One of the strongest aspects of Cyberpunk 2077 is its side missions. Some of them offer better storytelling than the main plot.
🧭 Fan-Favorite Side Quests:
- Dream On – Political conspiracy involving mind control.
- Sinnerman – A criminal turned messiah.
- The Hunt – Detective work with River.
- Pyramid Song – Emotional underwater journey with Judy.
Completing side quests unlocks new endings, gear, and romance options.
🧩 Cyberware & Modifications
Cyberware enhances V’s body with implants — ranging from neural processors to blade arms.
🧬 Types of Cyberware:
| Cyberware | Example | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Frontal Cortex | Kerenzikov | Slows time while aiming/dodging |
| Arms | Mantis Blades | Melee weapons |
| Legs | Reinforced Tendons | Double jump |
| Immune System | Syn-Lungs | Increases stamina regeneration |
| Operating System | NetWatch Netdriver Mk.5 | Quickhack capacity and speed |
Cyberware is limited by capacity, which can be expanded through Body attribute and specific perks.
🏍️ Vehicles & Customization
You can own dozens of vehicles — from sports cars to motorcycles.
🚗 Vehicle Types:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Economy | Makigai MaiMai, Archer Quartz |
| Executive | Rayfield Caliburn, Chevillon Emperor |
| Heavy Duty | Thorton Mackinaw |
| Sport | Quadra Turbo-R V-Tech |
| Motorcycle | Yaiba Kusanagi CT-3X |
You can customize V’s appearance, but vehicles and weapons can only be modified via upgrades, not cosmetically.
💡 Tips for Beginners
Here are some must-know tips:
- Invest early in Technical Ability – It allows better crafting and doors to hidden areas.
- Save often – Choices matter; you might want to replay a segment.
- Explore side gigs – They offer XP, loot, and lore.
- Upgrade Cyberdeck – Netrunner builds become OP in the late game.
- Join factions smartly – Some endings depend on your loyalty and quest choices.
🧭 Endings Explained (No Spoilers)
Cyberpunk 2077 offers multiple endings, influenced by your choices during:
- Main missions
- Side quests
- Loyalty to key characters
There is even a secret ending involving Johnny Silverhand, unlocked via specific dialogue and quest completions.
📊 Reception & Awards
After the 2.0 patch and Phantom Liberty, the game’s reception improved drastically.
⭐ Review Summary:
| Platform | Score (Post-2.0) |
|---|---|
| PC | 8.8/10 (IGN) |
| PS5 | 8.5/10 (GameSpot) |
| Xbox Series X | 9/10 |
| Metacritic | 89/100 |
🏆 Awards:
- The Game Awards 2023 – Best Ongoing Game
- Steam Awards – Labor of Love
- Golden Joystick Awards – Best Storytelling (Phantom Liberty)
🎯 Is Cyberpunk 2077 Worth It in 2025?
Absolutely! With its bugs patched, mechanics refined, and new content added, Cyberpunk 2077 now feels like the game it was meant to be.
Whether you’re into deep narratives, stealth RPGs, hacking mechanics, or sci-fi exploration, Night City has something for you.
🔚 Conclusion
Cyberpunk 2077 is a masterpiece in progress. It launched rough, but through dedication, CD Projekt Red transformed it into a top-tier RPG experience by 2025. With stunning visuals, a rich world, meaningful choices, and memorable characters, it’s one of the most ambitious games ever made.
Whether you’re a newcomer or a returning player, there’s never been a better time to dive into the neon-soaked streets of Night City.