When Cyberpunk 2077 was released, I, like many others, was excited to finally get this game we first saw seven years ago. The game was eventually released, and to say that it was a disaster would be putting it lightly.
While non-next-gen console gamers got the short end of the stick, those of us on high-end consoles and beefy gaming PCs could play the game, but it was littered with more bugs than a cheap motel.
While there were bugs and there continue to be, they never stopped me from playing the game. If I encountered a serious bug, I would close the game and reopen it, with the bug disappearing. To me, bugs were never a problem, and I didn’t really complain about them either.
The real issue I have with Cyberpunk 2077 is that it is boring. The constant interrupting phone calls that just get answered anyway, the cut-scene-esque scenes where you shoot at some bad guys, and no matter what you do, the result is the same scripted ending.
A world filled with passive-aggressive NPCs that tell you to fuck off when you try speaking to them (everyone in this game is angry about something), buildings you cannot enter, and driving and shooting mechanics that somehow feel worse than games such as Grand Theft Auto 3 which had this stuff worked out 20 years ago.
I constantly feel like I am just following people around in this game, like I am not even the main character, just watching everyone else do their thing. There feels like a legitimate lack of choice in that no matter what I do, the game will decide for me anyway.
But, yes, the game is beautiful. Turn on ray tracing and bump up the settings, Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the best-looking games out right now, and it oozes next-gen. But, it is evident they spent more time on the game’s appearance than the immersion and content.
And the soundtrack, the soundtrack is the boss in this game. There isn’t a bad song in it (whoever picked the music deserves a raise). But, playing Cyberpunk 2077, regardless of the nice graphics and soundtracks, still inevitably ends up feeling like a chore.
And let’s talk about V. What is going on there? Regardless of whether or not you pick male or female V, he/she ends up being a complete jerk to everyone they encounter. Like everyone else in this universe, it seems V is angry about something. It’s a shame because it looks like a great city.
I managed to put in 28 hours into this game before I ultimately just gave up. I might end up revisiting the game in a year or two when they hopefully get this mess cleaned up, and when Cyberpunk: Online is released, I will try that out too. Although, who knows if Cyberpunk: Online will even be a thing. They’ll be fixing issues with this game for years to come.
Cyberpunk 2077 is the biggest missed opportunity in gaming history. Maybe my expectations were just unfairly high, but expectations or not, it doesn’t make the game any more fun.