And that is what this game is: it’s weird. It is a title of two halves. On one hand, it’s a phenomenally well-crafted story and a gorgeously realized world with combat that, while not deep, is still fun, but on the other, are gameplay choices that don’t add up to much and features that seem like they’re missing. Throw in the many bugs and crashes, and the reality is that the game isn’t done. I have zero doubts that car customization options will be added in later, as will more combat techniques. I fully believe the world will be further fleshed out, with more to do, and the bugs will eventually be squashed. Likewise, the police will likely be altered, as will the overall NPC AI. But I can’t review a game on what it might be later on, I have to review it on what it is now, and, in its current state, is an immensely fun experience but one that, at every turn, left me disappointed at what it could’ve been.
Many people will pick up Cyberpunk 2077 and have fun. Admittedly, I had a lot of fun. Even factoring in all my many complaints, it’s one of the most enjoyable experiences of the year, but a game can give you a first impression only once, and I recommend people wait until this title has been updated and completely revamped. In six to 12 months, it’ll be a different experience, and I think people owe it to themselves to play it once it finds its true potential. For if it can unlock that, then this could share a tier with The Witcher 3, but it’s going to take a lot of work for CDPR to get it there. Hopefully, they have it in them, because it deserves more.
