4.5/5 ★ – JudexPurus's review of Cyberpunk 2077.

Released to universal backlash in 2020 as an essentially unplayable game on the then current-gen consoles, (and when next-gen consoles weren’t readily available due to shortages because of the COVID-19 Pandemic), Cyberpunk 2077 initially wasn’t great. Developer CD Projekt Red stuck by their game though, promising to continue their efforts in making it playable for what once was such a highly anticipated game. I played this game on my PS4 while I painstakingly awaited the arrival of my pre-ordered PS5 (which I finally got 3 months after it’s slated release date!), and it was virtually unplayable, crashing regularly and glitching out, a far-cry from the game that was promised. You could say we were ‘cyber-punk’d’. But despite the hurdles and barriers I could see underneath the hints of a game that I KNEW I would enjoy. So instead of hunting for a refund, I held onto my copy until it was possible for me to play it. Thus, when I finally got my PS5, Cyberpunk 2077 was the first game I loaded on to it. Now admittedly it wasn’t perfect, but it was at least playable. I managed to complete my first run through, and may I say, I was amazed by the depth of the story and characters backed by enjoyable gameplay that NEVER felt stale or repetitive. Fast forward 4 years and post regular updates with patch jobs and fleshed out DLC Content, I have revisited the world of Cyberpunk 2077, and I am once again amazed. Along with improved graphics and in-game experiences, Night City is revitalized and always feels alive each time you boot up the game. Compared to when I first ‘jacked-in’ to the world of Cyberpunk 2077, Night City is well populated and alive. My first playthrough felt empty and barren compared to now, where the streets are bustling and give a feeling of unpredictability. Police are a much more present (and often extremely enforcing) entity, while the varying gangs that ‘control’ sections of the city are unrelenting and unforgiving. Allowing you to choose between three different starting points with unique back-stories breeds variation when you play through multiple times and culminates in five alternate endings for your character ‘V’. With an impressive skill tree and body enhancements available, your gaming experience is extremely customizable, ensuring you have an experience unique to the gamer. The incredible rocker rebel Johnny Silverhand is played by Keanu Reeves as bitter and anti-elitist, a departure from his usual cool onscreen personas. As you are tethered to his character, Silverhand fast becomes a very familiar and welcome presence, injecting humour and good world building throughout. The DLC content of Phantom Liberty is a brilliant addition to the lore of Cyberpunk 2077, providing a fresh take on a city lost to chaos. The suburb of ‘Dogtown’ is run by the underworld and left to rot by the government. It is also here where you meet the character of Solomon Reed, played to perfection by Idris Elba. In a world where mega corporations rule, the Phantom Liberty DLC show us the hopelessness of the forgotten. Cyberpunk 2077 is a fantastic game that, while not perfect, is enjoyable and engaging from start to finish. The missions, side jobs and ‘gigs’ are varying and non-repetitive, while the story and characters display an emotional depth that few games can accomplish. Near perfect score, save for a limited few glitches and crashes that persist. This game will never fade away.