Cyberpunk 2077 Review

·1 hr 12 min·5 clips

Three gamers with hardcore, moderate, and noob skill levels clash over whether Cyberpunk 2077 is a must-play or a pass.

In this episode of Game Pass Grab Bag, hosts Andrew, Keith, and Aaron review Cyberpunk 2077 after playing it on Xbox Game Pass. Andrew, the hardcore gamer, purchased the game at launch in 2020 and has dabbled with it over six years, appreciating the numerous updates and added content like car combat and revamped skill systems. He finds the gunplay and hacking fun but criticizes the dumb enemy AI and unengaging main story, rating the game 88. Keith, the moderate gamer, started fresh and encountered frustrating police mechanics where minor actions led to relentless chases, along with bugs that locked him in animations. He feels overwhelmed by the game's 100-plus hour commitment and gives it a 77, noting it's not for him but might appeal to others. Aaron, the noob, avoided the game at launch due to performance issues and now praises Night City's detailed design and character models but finds the story confusing and Keanu Reeves' performance as Johnny Silverhand poorly cast. He rates it 83, highlighting the disparity between the game's visual polish and its gameplay feel. The hosts discuss the game's origins based on a tabletop RPG, the impact of the Netflix anime Edgerunners, and the lack of consequence in dialogue choices. They also touch on the controversial genital customization, the disappointing racing mechanics, and the achievements being completion-heavy. Overall, they agree the game is in a much better state than at launch but has significant flaws in story and AI.

As heard by us

A patched-up Cyberpunk 2077 gets a blunt look at combat, stealth, and the systems that still feel old.

The episode presents Cyberpunk 2077 as a first-person action RPG set in 2077, with a dystopian America run by corporations and a defective AI lodged in the hero's head.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You get three voices on Cyberpunk 2077 and a lot of disagreement about its combat and systems.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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