CyberPunk 2077 (2020)

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2025.12.08 My new computer needs testing, and from what I can tell this is the highest demanding game I have. It seems to pass the internal benchmark just fine.

I start a test play, but I'm fairly certain I am just playing this now all the way through. I have the hardware, this is very high on my list, so why wait.

I don't feel any connection to the game yet, several hours in. It is very much on rails, similar to how GTA V starts out. Maybe it will get more open world later. I have avoided reading about this game as much as possible for years, so I really don't know.

The self-aware self-parodying culture is a little hard to get into. GTA culture is not that easy to get into either because it's so exaggerated, but most of its conceits are at least grounded. This cyberpunk retro future is a little harder to get into, but I am trying. I was very much into Neuromancer, Max Headroom, Bladerunner, etc. so I should be loving this, at least for the nostalgia, but the writing is giving me some pause that this game even understands the source material. I know it can be done; Deus Ex did it early and well.

After the first mission, the ride through Night City is a nice introduction. At least it's a nice intro to the city within the story. I feel a little robbed by the time skip where V settles into a new life in the city, but I guess it's better than just hearing about it. I think of the a similar intro in GTA 4, where Nico starting a new life is woven into the story. I think I would have preferred that.

Why are there trash can fires in my apartment building?

An NPC just stepped through a wall, earlier someone clipped their arm through another arm. Sad. I thought this game had all the bugs worked out over the years.

I didn't connect to a CDPR account when I started - do I need that?

I am in my apartment for the first time - not quite the first impression like when it happens in Deus Ex 3. Good time to adjourn.

2025.12.10