Cyberpunk 2077 Review html Copy code

Cyberpunk 2077 had a disastrous launch on consoles, with numerous technical issues and bugs, which led to PlayStation removing the game from its store. Thankfully, CD Projekt RED released multiple updates to improve the game’s performance and graphics on consoles. Currently, the game offers a much better experience.

This review is based on the last-gen PlayStation 4 Slim version, and we’ll soon do another review for the next-gen consoles to see how the game has improved on newer hardware. Did Cyberpunk 2077 meet the high expectations of players? Let’s find out.

Story and Characters

In Cyberpunk 2077, you play as V (customizable as male or female). Early in the game, you choose V’s backstory: Street Kid, Corpo, or Nomad. This choice affects the first 30 minutes of gameplay and some dialogue options later but doesn’t change the story’s ending.

V is a mercenary in Night City who takes on missions like theft, assassination, and deals in exchange for money and reputation. One of these missions involves stealing a chip from Arasaka Corporation, the most powerful company in Night City. If successful, V would become rich and famous.

However, as shown in trailers, the mission goes wrong, forcing V to implant the chip into their head. Surprisingly, the chip contains the digital ghost of Johnny Silverhand (played by Keanu Reeves), who will eventually take over V’s body. The game revolves around finding a way to remove the chip while deciding whether Johnny becomes a friend or foe.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Cyberpunk 2077 offers a mix of stealth and direct combat. Stealth gameplay feels underwhelming due to repetitive animations and weak enemy AI, making direct combat more appealing. The game features a wide variety of futuristic weapons, along with melee options like katanas and knives, though melee combat lacks depth.

The game also includes hacking, netrunning, and thrilling set pieces like car chases, but these elements often feel repetitive. Skill trees and Cyberware enhancements add depth to the gameplay but fail to offer groundbreaking features.

Graphics and World Design

Night City is visually stunning, filled with intricate details in its buildings and advertisements. Character designs are top-notch, with realistic animations and impressive facial expressions thanks to JALI technology.

On last-gen consoles like PS4 Slim, the game now runs at dynamic resolutions between 810p and 1080p after updates, with a stable frame rate. However, the city feels lifeless due to NPCs lacking interactivity and intelligence.

Sound and Music

Cyberpunk 2077 excels in sound design and music. Keanu Reeves delivers a standout performance as Johnny Silverhand, and the supporting cast, including Judy and Panam, also shine. The soundtrack by Marcin Przybyłowicz perfectly captures the game’s atmosphere, with custom tracks from various artists enhancing the experience.

For content creators, the game includes an option to disable copyrighted music to avoid strikes on YouTube or Twitch.

Technical Performance

Initially, the game was plagued with bugs and crashes on PS4 Slim. After updates, it now runs more smoothly with improved resolution and reduced crashes. However, the AI and physics still feel outdated, making the world less immersive.

Pros:

– Exceptional story and memorable characters

– Side quests are better than main missions in some games

– Immersive first-person gameplay

– Detailed world design in Night City

– Improved graphics after updates

– Outstanding voice acting and music

Cons:

– Poor performance on last-gen consoles

– Numerous technical bugs and glitches

– Underutilized open-world potential

– Lacks realistic physics and interactivity

– Weak enemy AI

– Melee combat lacks depth

Final Score: 8/10