Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most anticipated games this 2020. With the recent reveal of Keanu Reeves and the release date of April 16th, 2020 fans have been eagerly anticipating the title for some time following the incredible success of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. We were able to see the behind-the-scenes footage of Cyberpunk 2077 at E3 2019 and it solidifies the notion that CD Projekt RED may release another masterpiece.

This demo was an extensive look at the gameplay, narrative, customization options, and lore of Cyberpunk 2077. In an hour so much information was provided that it made the entire presentation fly by. First off, we learned that players can choose from 3 backgrounds that include Corporate, Street Kid, and Nomad. Each class has its own strengths and weaknesses within both the narrative and gameplay. V can be extensively customized with various clothing, different faces, and attributes that include body, intelligent, reflex, tech, and cool. V is also equipped with an auto-translator which I assume will likely play a narrative purpose as V is constantly using it.

While V is given ample customization is clear that CD Projekt RED wanted this character to feel more like a part of the world instead of a hollow figure. V is just as much part of this world and Johnny Silverhands highlights this. Played by Keanu Reeves, Johnny is with V every step of what since he's part of V's mind. Which also happens to house a biochip that may be the key to immortality. 

This presentation focused on the Voodoo Boys, a gang of Caribbean spiritualists who worship cyberspace, embracing the hacking world as a type of dogma. They clearly take care of their own with V, now shown as a male, is taken to one of the higher Voodoo Boys. It's here we see the Southernmost part of the world, Pacifica. A now abandoned area that was meant for the rich and powerful but abandoned after an economic crash. Now all that's left is half-built buildings and a people that don't flinch when someone is shooting a gun mere feet from their position.

To put things into context, the first demo was set in Watson and the gang that V was facing were the Scavengers. Unlike the Animals or Voodoo, the Scavengers steal parts from whatever and whoever they want. 

Driving plays a central part in Cyperpunk 2077, with V hopping onto a futuristic motorcycle and driving through the game's open world. You can fast travel from any location and will feature a full day and night cycle but for the purpose of time, the sightseeing was limited.

Most of the demo focused on an infiltration mission, V is charged with heading into a rival gangs hideout. Called the Animals, these people are duked out with a drug called Juice that massively increases their physical attacks. 

The first class shown was the Netrunner, a character specifically created for hacking and stealth. CD Projekt RED made it clear that players can combine whatever perks they want, allowing for dedicated specifics or a balance between skills. With the Netrunner, his main weapon is the nanowire and can hack specific locations. During these sequences, a minigame is played but less complicated machines can be instantly hacked. Such as when V uses a turret against the animals.

CD Projekt RED made a note that the game can be beaten without killing, which goes against what was stated in 2018 when the company was interviewed by Game Informer. Players can choose lethal or non-lethal techniques but everything you do will have consequences. During the demo, the V alerted Animals and caused the Netrunner to start creating new barriers for the player to contend with. All ending with V deciding how to take the narrative, with multiple paths provided that alter the entire campaign. Think The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings during the first chapter.

Cyberpunk 2077 is clearly bigger and much more elaborate than anything CD Projekt RED has done. The first demo was already impressive but this new updated version of the game is simply extraordinary. WIth a narrative that is constantly changing and enticing the player to try different possibilities. A world that houses various types of people, augmented and socially changed due to the rapid advancement of technology. And you, as the player, given the opportunity to do whatever you want. If you love video games, you owe it to yourself to pre-order Cyberpunk 2077.

Adam Siddiqui, NoobFeed
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