Night City, Cyberpunk 2077’s illustrious setting, is rife with characters, quests, secrets, and the constant hum of neon lights. While it promotes player freedom, like every other open-world RPG, playing a certain way can result in a less rewarding experience. These “cardinal sins” are not always obvious, and sometimes experience can be the best teacher. From ignoring side quests to mismanaging builds, here is a breakdown of some common missteps players should avoid in Cyberpunk 2077.
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The Biggest Mistakes Cyberpunk 2077 Players Can Make
Neglecting Side Quests Can Alter The True Cyberpunk Experience
One of the biggest mistakes new players can make is rushing through the main storyline early on. While the game might give players the impression that they have to rush through the main missions, they can easily get locked out of extra content and specific endings later in the game by ignoring key side quests. Fixer gigs, NCPD scanner hustles, and character-centric side quests offer a lot in the world-building department. Skipping them not only shortens the playthrough but deprives players of incredible rewards and deeper insights into the world and its characters – especially relationships with key figures like Panam Palmer. The main narrative is compelling, but the side quests are also equally important in delivering the ideal Cyberpunk 2077 experience.
Skimping On Cyberware
Cyberware is the backbone of character progression in Cyberpunk 2077, and yet many players tend to treat it like an afterthought. Cyberware enhances abilities by improving reflexes, armor, and mobility, amongst others, making otherwise tricky situations easier to navigate.
Iconic upgrades like the Sandevistan can radically change combat by granting players blistering speed. Neglecting to invest in cybernetic enhancements early on can severely limit player capabilities and make some missions and combat encounters significantly more challenging.
Failing To Specialize In A Certain Build
In Night City, playstyles also matter a lot. Whether players decide to become stealthy netrunners, brute-force street brawlers, or blazingly fast blade-wielding ninjas, the selected perks and attributes must support their playstyle choice. Unfortunately, first-timers tend to allocate points without a purpose in mind. Dumping points into cool-sounding abilities without playstyle synergy and spreading them too thinly across multiple skills can result in a jack-of-all-trades character who excels at nothing. Hence, it is crucial to identify a preferred playstyle early on and invest attribute points and perks accordingly, as the game rewards specialization.
Fast Traveling Around The City At All Times
While fast traveling appears to be a more efficient way to navigate the city, it certainly has its downsides. Sure, it saves time and is better when players hope to complete a mission or two while on a short break, but driving around Night City is the best way to experience the game. Fast traveling severely hampers immersion, and players have more ways to interact with Night City and its NPCs when driving.
Disregarding Dialogue And Lore
Skipping through dialogue and racing through conversations while absent-minded can also qualify as a Cyberpunk 2077 cardinal sin. While the game offers plenty of action, its narrative depth is also one of its most notable strengths. Dialogue choices and emails give critical insight into the lore, setting, and motivation of characters. Players sometimes miss moral dilemmas and emotional cues by rushing past conversations or avoiding optional dialogue. Moreover, certain endings are shaped by how well players engage with certain characters (like Johnny Silverhand).
Limiting Exploration To The Night City
Players who start a street kid playthrough tend to spend most of their time inside Night City, which deters them from experiencing all Cyberpunk 2077 has to offer. While the majority of the game takes place in the city, the outskirts, known as the Badlands, are brimming with lore that nomad players are familiar with. The Badlands is filled with nomads like the Wraiths and the Aldecaldos, with whom V can work, as well as numerous ways to earn eddies.
Cyberpunk 2077
6/10
- Released
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December 10, 2020
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Engine
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REDengine 4