Cyberpunk 2077 Review

Combat: Fluid and Build-Defined

Post-2.0, the combat is excellent. Netrunner builds let you hack enemies silently from cover, triggering chain reactions that eliminate entire squads without firing a shot. Solo builds stack cyberware for devastating melee or gunplay with Sandevistan slow-motion. Tech builds fire through walls and charge up explosive shots. The Gorilla Arms melee build is surprisingly deep. Most importantly: the 2.0 perk system makes builds feel coherent and powerful from mid-game onward.

Gameplay and World

Night City is gaming's most realized urban environment. Vertical density, gang territories, corporate enclaves, and street-level detail create a believable future megacity. The GIG system (side missions from fixers) provides excellent optional content. Vehicle combat added in 2.0 gives driving purpose. The Phantom Liberty expansion's Dogtown district matches the base game's quality — a dense, paranoid new zone with distinct identity.

Story and Characters

The V/Johnny dynamic is one of gaming's great character relationships. Keanu Reeves delivers a nuanced performance as Silverhand, moving from antagonist to reluctant ally to something more complex. The main quest's multiple endings each feel earned rather than arbitrary. Phantom Liberty adds Songbird and Reed — two of the series' best characters — in a story with genuine Cold War thriller tension.

Graphics and Performance

With path tracing on high-end PC, Cyberpunk 2077 is the most visually advanced game available. Night City's neon reflections, volumetric fog, and NPC density are extraordinary. PS5 and Xbox Series X run at stable 60fps. The 2020 launch on last-gen was catastrophic; those versions should be avoided entirely.

Verdict

Cyberpunk 2077 is a triumph. Buy the Complete Edition, play on PC or current-gen, and experience one of the decade's finest RPGs.

Pros & Cons