Cyberpunk 2077 a fost dezvoltat de CD Projekt Red, o companie din Polonia renumită pentru seria The Witcher. Cyberpunk este un RPG de proporții al cărei acțiuni se desfășoară în lumea extraordinar de meticulos detaliată a universului cu același nume, creată de Mike Pondsmith. În ciuda unei lansări dezastruoase în decembrie 2020, CD Projekt Red nu a renunțat la promisiunile făcute fanilor și, în urma multor update-uri, au reușit să lanseze un produs care se apropie de așteptările inițiale ale jucătorilor. În această recenzie vom analiza mai în amănunt toate caracteristicile jocului: povestea, mecanicile jocului, lumea, grafica, sunetul și experiența finală din fața ecranului. Restul recenziei va continua în limba engleză.
Story and Characters
Cyberpunk 2077 revolves around V, a customizable mercenary navigating the treacherous world of Night City. Players can choose V’s gender, appearance, and life path — Nomad, Street Kid, or Corpo — each offering unique backgrounds that affect interactions and mission dynamics, as well as the intro to the game itself.
The narrative is heavily influenced by the iconic character Johnny Silverhand, played by Keanu Reeves. Johnny is not just a holographic guide; he embodies themes of rebellion against oppressive corporate regimes. Their relationship evolves from reluctant partnership to a complex exploration of identity and existential purpose, raising questions about agency and legacy in a digital age.
The main quest line is well-crafted, but it’s the side quests that elevate the storytelling. Many side missions explore poignant themes, featuring characters with rich backstories. For example, quests involving characters like Judy Alvarez and Panam Palmer offer emotional depth and moral complexity, showcasing CD Projekt Red’s knack for character-driven storytelling.
Gameplay Mechanics
Cyberpunk 2077 combines a variety of gameplay mechanics that allow players to engage in combat, hacking, and dialogue. The combat system is fluid, blending first-person shooting with RPG elements. Players can choose from a diverse array of weapons — ranging from handguns to experimental tech — and personalize their arsenal with mods that enhance performance.
The game’s skill tree is expansive, allowing for specialized builds — be it a stealthy Netrunner who excels at hacking or a brute-force Solo adept in melee combat. This flexibility encourages experimentation and rewards diverse playstyles, although some players have reported that the balance between different builds could be refined further.
Hacking is a pivotal aspect of gameplay, with a unique mini-game that allows players to manipulate electronic devices and enemies. This mechanic opens up creative approaches to missions, rewarding strategic thinking over sheer firepower. However, the hacking system can sometimes feel convoluted, particularly for players unfamiliar with RPG mechanics. This is the type of playstyle that even though looks under-powered and hard to pull off, after some time behind the wheel you end up being a digital demigod, able to demolish entire combat encounters from just a couple of „daemons” unleashed from afar.
World-Building and Exploration
Night City is a meticulously crafted open world, teeming with life and detail. Each district presents a unique character and atmosphere, from the opulence of City Center to the gritty underbelly of Watson. The environmental storytelling is rich; players can discover lore and history through scattered collectibles, graffiti, and NPC interactions.
Exploration is encouraged, with hidden secrets and side activities — such as cyberpsychosis hunts and street races — scattered throughout the city. The game features a day-night cycle and dynamic weather, which enhance immersion and impact gameplay. However, despite the intricate design, some players find that certain areas lack the vibrancy expected in a bustling metropolis, leading to moments that feel somewhat empty.
The AI controlling NPCs can be a mixed bag; while some characters offer engaging dialogue and interactions, others may exhibit repetitive behaviors that detract from immersion. The balance between scripted events and random encounters could benefit from further refinement, but the latest patches have strongly improved over previous iterations, especially with the new and improved police star system, being more akin to what GTA offers in their titles with the end threat bringing MAXTAC out to play.
Graphics and Performance
Initially, Cyberpunk 2077 faced severe criticism for performance issues, especially on last-gen consoles, leading to widespread dissatisfaction among players. However, post-launch updates have addressed many of these concerns, and the game now runs much more smoothly across various platforms.
On high-end PCs, the graphics are nothing short of stunning. The level of detail in character models, environments, and lighting effects is impressive, capturing the essence of the cyberpunk genre with vibrant neon lights juxtaposed against the darkness of Night City. Ray tracing enhances realism, particularly in reflections and shadows, contributing to a visually captivating experience.
Despite these advancements, there are still occasional bugs and glitches that can disrupt immersion, though they are less frequent than at launch. The performance on older consoles remains a point of contention, as the game struggles to maintain consistent framerates.
As of the launch of patch 2.0, together with the expansion „Phantom Liberty” the game has made a switch to current-gen only, offering a solid framerate and improved graphics over its previous-gen counterparts.
Sound and Music
The audio design in Cyberpunk 2077 is a standout feature, significantly enhancing the overall experience. The game features an eclectic soundtrack that seamlessly integrates licensed music from various artists with an original score that heightens emotional moments. The soundtrack captures the essence of Night City, blending genres like synthwave and rock to create a vibrant auditory backdrop.
Voice acting is superb, with standout performances that bring the characters to life. Keanu Reeves’ portrayal of Johnny Silverhand is particularly noteworthy, delivering both charisma and depth. The dialogue is well-written, although some exchanges can come off as clichéd or overly familiar, which may detract from the immersive experience for some players. The expansion also adds Idris Elba to the Hollywood cast, breathing life into the character of Solomon Reed.
Environmental sounds, from the hum of the city to the chatter of NPCs, further immerse players in Night City’s atmosphere, creating a living, breathing world.
The latest patches also offer the option to have the ingame radio blasting in your ear even when outside vehicles, a feature smartly controlled by the missions themselves as not to overlap with important character dialogues.
Final Thoughts
Cyberpunk 2077, despite its tumultuous launch, has transformed into a robust and engaging RPG experience. The interplay of a rich narrative, immersive world-building, and diverse gameplay mechanics creates a compelling package for players. While there are still areas for improvement—particularly in AI behavior and balance—the game has successfully carved out a significant place in the RPG landscape.
The depth of character interactions, moral choices, and branching narratives, combined with a stunningly realized world, invites players to lose themselves in Night City. Ongoing updates and expansions promise to further enrich the experience, making Cyberpunk 2077 a game that continues to evolve.
Rating: 8.5/10
Overall, Cyberpunk 2077 stands as a testament to the potential of video games as a medium for storytelling and exploration, appealing to both genre enthusiasts and new players alike. Whether you’re drawn to its rich narrative, immersive world, or intricate gameplay, Night City awaits your arrival.
„Wake up samurai, we’ve got a city to burn”.
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