Cyberpunk 2077 Review: Is it Worth Playing in 2026
By BlomIn the video game industry, we rarely see a comeback as big as the one for Cyberpunk 2077. As we move through 2026, the game looks totally different from when it first came out. With over 40 million copies sold, this game has turned from a messy launch into an amazing action role-playing game. It is no longer that broken and ugly mess that put the game under fire on the internet.
In this Cyberpunk 2077 review, we will take an updated look at Cyberpunk 2077 to determine if it’s in a state that is worth playing. We will discuss everything from the Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay to the storyline to see how they have been updated over the years.
From Broken Launch to Modern Classic: How the Game Rebuilt Its Reputation
When the game originally released back in 2020, it was in an almost unplayable state. The performance on consoles was atrocious. Bugs swarmed every aspect of the game, and many of the features that were showcased by the developers were completely missing. It was so bad that the game still had years to go before it would be ready for a proper functioning release. Due to this, the game gained the reputation of the most disastrous video game launch in history.
Even though the launch was a broken mess, CDPR has transformed the game into what they promised us. If you’re excited to try out one of the best open-world, action RPGs of all time, you can check the Cyberpunk 2077 price history on PriceRadar to compare offers across stores all over the internet and find the best deal.
How Update 2.0 and 2.1 Changed the Game
Eventually, things would turn around, and Cyberpunk 2077 reviews would start praising the game. Update 2.0 changed the game completely, tossing out old systems for better ones. This update improved the loading times significantly and advised players to use fast SSD storage instead of old hard drives so the game could load without issues. Most of the bugs had already been fixed, and the performance had gained massive improvements.
Then, Update 2.1 added the metro system, which the Devs had teased before the game’s release, but it wasn't available at launch. These were the final big updates using CDPR’s own game engine before moving to Unreal Engine 5 for their next projects.
The Amazing Phantom Liberty Expansion
Just as the game was starting to receive praise for its unexpected redemption, CDPR dropped the first-ever story expansion for the game. Phantom Liberty was a massive add-on that cost $85 million to make and advertise. It gave us Dogtown, a dangerous new area to explore. It also expanded the story with new characters, which also led to a brand new ending for the base game. This expansion sold over 3 million copies in its first week. Along with the Edgerunners anime and an upcoming live-action show, this success proved the game was here to stay.
Looking Under the Hood: Gameplay, Combat, and RPG Mechanics Today
Rebuilt Skill Trees and Dynamic Cyberware Upgrades
Previously, the cyberware system felt lackluster and not important, but character leveling makes much more sense now. Your survival depends on the tech you put in your body. The Technical Ability stat now controls your armor and how much cyberware you can handle. You have to balance your upgrades because there is a strict limit to how much cyberware you can have equipped. The entire skill tree and cyberware system was reworked. You can now equip cyberware such as a double-jump leg implant, a dash implant, or even mechanical claws to chew through enemies. Your survival no longer depends on your weapons but also your cyberware.
Smarter Police Pursuits and Vehicular Combat on the Street
The wanted system at launch was a huge joke and a massive meme. Cops would appear out of thin air the second you committed a crime. Their AI would struggle to follow or shoot you and escaping them was as easy as a baby. That is no longer the case. If you break the law, the police actually chase you now. The old problem of cops appearing out of nowhere is gone. Now, if you keep causing trouble, the elite MaxTac police will hunt you down. You can also shoot from your car or use weapons built into your vehicles. This makes driving around the city much more exciting and is a huge improvement to the overall Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay.
Meaningful Build Variety for Hackers, Ninjas, and Heavy Guns
With the introduction of the 2.0 update, the build variety has been expanded massively with proper skill trees and cyberware to go along with your builds. You can either be a stealthy katana-wielding ninja, a heavy gunner built like a tank, a netrunner with hacking expertise, or a complete cyberpsycho with crazy movement and melee cyberware. Experimenting with all the different weapons, skills, and cyberware is incredibly fun and provides a lot of replay value.
Living in Night City: Atmosphere and Navigation
Ray Tracing, Path Tracing, and Visuals on Modern Hardware
Today, the game looks absolutely stunning. On strong PCs, the lighting and reflections look like real life, even with ray tracing turned off. Console players get a treat too. The new PlayStation 5 Pro update adds special tech to make the game look and run better than ever. If there’s one thing that every Cyberpunk 2077 review can agree on, it is the amazing visuals. Cyberpunk 2077 is still the latest standard when it comes to testing game graphics.
New Ways to Get Around: The Metro System and Cruising the Streets
Getting around the city is not just about fast travel anymore. You can actually ride the NCART metro trains, walk around inside them, and enjoy the beautiful views of the city. You can also listen to great music on a portable radio while you walk around town. You can use the Premium AI taxi service of Night City called “Delamain” to drive you around, or you can snatch whichever ride you see on the street. You can also use movement cyberware to fly around Night City without relying on a vehicle.
Story, Characters, and Immersion: Does V's Journey Still Hit Hard?
The Main Storyline
The story is and has been the one aspect of the game that has been amazing since release. You play as V, a mercenary doing odd jobs with your friend Jackie to earn the eddies to survive in Night City. However, when one job doesn’t go as it's supposed to, V’s life changes forever.
Keanu Reeves plays Johnny Silverhand, a grumpy digital ghost from the past stuck in your head. The Phantom Liberty add-on brings in Idris Elba as a secret agent named Solomon Reed. He makes the spy story in Dogtown feel very real.
Side Quests and Gigs
The side missions are not just boring tasks. They make you think about deep topics like artificial intelligence and poverty. Some can lead to different endings while others can introduce you to new characters or strengthen your connection with existing ones. They aren’t just copy-paste of other quests or simply quests like going from point A to point B. The quest design is really solid, and you’ll enjoy doing most of them after you’ve finished the main story.
Roleplay Limitations and Where the Game Still Falls Short
Today, Cyberpunk 2077 has shaped up to become an amazing game. However, that doesn’t mean there still aren’t any persistent issues. The first problem arises immediately at the start of the game, where you have to pick between three backgrounds for your character. You can either start your journey as a Corpo, Street Kid, or a Nomad. Picking between these backgrounds decides how your story begins; however, that only affects the game for the first hour or so, as eventually the paths of all 3 backgrounds collide. From that point onward, it doesn’t feel like your choice actually mattered because everything stays the same except for some optional and unnecessary dialogue when talking to some characters.
Another point of criticism is the character creator. While it is detailed and highly customizable, you can’t see your character at all throughout the whole game except when looking at mirrors.
Conclusion
The redemption of Cyberpunk 2077 has truly been an unexpected but grateful one. The hype around the game before the release was truly something to behold, but the launch state of the game completely shattered the hopes of all fans. But fortunately, today we can have and play the game that we expected. To finish this Cyberpunk 2077 review, we conclude that it is truly a must-play for any open-world Action RPG fan because not only is it just a good game but one of the best games ever.
If you are relieved to know about the state of Cyberpunk 2077 and are ready to experience it, consider taking a look at the Cyberpunk 2077 price on PriceRadar to compare offers from stores all over the internet. Through PriceRadar, you can compare current offers while being assured that you got the best price for it.
