The widely criticized launch of Cyberpunk 2077 in 2020 has been discussed extensively, marked by numerous game-breaking bugs and performance issues on various platforms. Over the years, numerous updates have been released to address critical problems, making the game more playable and stable for those who experienced significant issues. However, the 2.0 update, coinciding with the launch of the Phantom Liberty expansion, represents a more profound transformation – a complete overhaul of Cyberpunk 2077’s core gameplay mechanics.
For those who found the RPG elements of the original version underwhelming, where character progression seemed to have little impact on playstyle and character development, this update serves as a robust and definitive response. It introduces a comprehensive revamp of the skill trees, enhances the cyberware system, introduces new elements to vehicular combat, alters police behavior, and incorporates numerous quality-of-life improvements. After initiating a new playthrough and investing approximately 20 hours into Cyberpunk 2077 version 2.0, I’m delighted to report that, in terms of gameplay, it has now evolved into an outstanding RPG experience.
Revolutionizing Progression: Cyberpunk 2077’s Enhanced Skill Tree System
My newfound enthusiasm for Cyberpunk 2077 stems primarily from the revamped progression system. While the core attributes (Body, Reflexes, Technical, Intelligence, and Cool) are still present for allocating points, the redesigned skill tree now offers distinct branches of perks that have a substantial impact on your gameplay experience. Many of these perks are unique abilities tailored to specific playstyles, allowing you to build specialized characters and even experiment with hybrid combat approaches. Rather than merely selecting incremental stat boosts based on percentages, as was the case in the original version, you are now encouraged to construct a diverse toolkit of abilities that continually evolves as you delve deeper into the game.
For instance, my preference for using blades led me to allocate attribute points to Cool and Reflex, unlocking higher-tier perks in the skill tree that enhanced my mobility and proficiency with bladed weapons. These perks included the ability to deflect bullets back at enemies, execute air-dashes, sprint while crouched, and perform the deadly dash-slash combo. As I progress through these skill trees, I also acquire valuable perks for submachine guns and rifles, such as the Focus and Deadeye abilities, which provide substantial advantages when aiming down sights. Along the way, I have the opportunity to invest in perks that make stealth and sneak attacks viable strategies as well.
While my own experience naturally leans towards agile and dexterous character builds in RPGs, a closer examination of the perks available in the Body, Tech, and Intelligence branches reveals a staggering array of possibilities, regardless of your personal preference. Whether you aim to incinerate adversaries by inundating them with quickhacks through the new Hack Queue mechanic or prefer to dominate foes with heavy firepower and robust endurance, Cyberpunk 2077’s 2.0 update caters to a wide spectrum of playstyles. Moreover, this revamped progression system provides enticing rewards in the form of powerful abilities at the highest tiers of each attribute category.
Crafting Your Ideal Character: Cyberpunk 2077’s Enhanced Progression and Cyberware
I consistently found myself eagerly anticipating the opportunity to allocate attribute and perk points, eagerly eyeing the next ability I was eager to incorporate into my gameplay. I meticulously planned my character’s development several levels in advance, meticulously examining the diverse tiers within each branch of perks. To me, a hallmark of a fantastic RPG is the excitement of leveling up, and the 2.0 update unquestionably excels in delivering that experience.
While many of the intricate stat enhancements from the original skill tree have transitioned into the new cyberware system, it’s within the realm of cyberware that you can intricately fine-tune your character build and fully optimize your chosen playstyle. Currently, I’m diligently accumulating eddies by selling loot, enabling me to acquire cyberware enhancements that amplify the effectiveness of sneak attacks and headshots, ensuring that my stealth-based approach is as deadly as possible. Additionally, due to my investment in Intelligence, I’m delving into the world of quickhacks, and it’s within the cyberware category where I can equip various hacks, further reduce cooldown times, and expand my RAM capacity.
There’s a substantial level of depth here, and while heavily investing in cyberware isn’t mandatory to overcome the game’s challenges, visiting a Ripperdoc to explore their offerings and spending your hard-earned money on noticeable enhancements to your character’s build adds an enticing dimension to the experience. Additionally, a small yet impactful change in the 2.0 update involves shifting armor and various forms of damage mitigation to cyberware rather than the clothing worn by your character. In a world where cybernetic modifications like subdermal armor and reinforced skin are commonplace, this adjustment aligns better thematically. Consequently, it allows me to wear whatever attire I prefer without affecting gameplay, providing a more immersive experience.
Cyberpunk 2077’s New Stamina and Health Systems
Another significant change that significantly impacts combat is the introduction of the new stamina system. Unlike the previous version where stamina was solely linked to sprinting (allowing for unlimited sprinting), the new system now depletes stamina when firing a weapon, wielding a melee weapon, blocking attacks, or dashing. The various health inhalers and injectors have also undergone modifications, now featuring a cooldown timer that replenishes your two charges. This eliminates the need to stockpile multiple health items for HP restoration, as you can equip your preferred health item and rely on its charges.
While these changes may seem unconventional on paper, they significantly influence your approach to combat, reinforcing the RPG aspects of the game. Consider the Sasquatch boss encounter in the Grand Imperial Mall during the “I Walk The Line” story mission for the Voodoo Boys. She’s an imposing adversary who charges at you wielding a massive hammer, inflicting substantial damage and knockbacks, and she remains unyielding to your attacks. Simply unleashing a shotgun barrage at close range would rapidly deplete stamina, leaving me vulnerable without sufficient stamina to evade her powerful assaults. Moreover, if I lacked the necessary skill, I couldn’t solely rely on health stims to rectify my mistakes. Consequently, managing both stamina and health becomes crucial in challenging battles, even though they recover relatively quickly from cooldowns. This adjustment also prevents players from feeling excessively overpowered, discouraging brute-forcing through combat encounters.
Cyberpunk 2077 has now solidified its RPG gameplay with two compelling and distinct pillars. While you can still predominantly employ a shoot-first approach, as in the original version, there’s now a heightened level of strategic consideration required. The implementation of these new systems adds a sense of personalization to the experience, rendering the familiar combat encounters considerably more gratifying. It feels as though my character possesses a more pronounced and unique identity, seamlessly reflecting the choices I made when constructing them for this new playthrough.
Enhanced Policing and Vehicular Combat in Cyberpunk 2077’s 2.0
Furthermore, the 2.0 update introduces significant alterations to how the police respond to criminal activity in the city. I distinctly recall testing the NCPD’s response in a previous playthrough and being less than impressed by their somewhat haphazard approach—often piling up on me before inexplicably vanishing for periods. It’s worth noting that there were peculiar exploits, such as stepping into a weapons-free safe zone causing the police to completely forget about my presence while I remained in plain sight. However, after pushing the boundaries a bit in the 2.0 version, it’s evident that law enforcement AI has become smarter and more persistent. Witnessing the elite MaxTac units swoop in when you’ve earned a five-star wanted rating is a thrilling experience.
Another noteworthy addition is the enhancement of vehicular combat. Now, you can wield a one-handed firearm while driving or unsheathe a sword while riding a bike. While I didn’t frequently find these options to be viable in combat situations, except for a handful of quests that forced me into shootouts on wheels, these changes demonstrate a sensible evolution that holds the promise of providing engaging experiences in the campaign content offered in Phantom Liberty.
I’ve been enjoying Cyberpunk 2077 on my PC equipped with an Nvidia RTX 3080 and an Intel Core i7-12700k CPU. I’ve been running it at 4K resolution with quality DLSS and high settings, and the performance has been exceptional. It’s worth noting that Cyberpunk 2077 continues to be one of the most visually stunning games available. Given the immense scope of the game, it’s not unexpected to encounter occasional bugs and glitches, even with ongoing patches. These may include NPCs clipping into objects or AI behaving oddly in specific situations. However, I’m pleased to report that I haven’t encountered any game-breaking issues or crashes during my playthrough, a significant improvement over my experience with the 1.5 update.
Cyberpunk 2077’s Remarkable Post-Launch Evolution
From start to finish, the gameplay changes introduced in Cyberpunk 2077’s 2.0 update are truly outstanding, and it’s hard not to wish they had been present from the beginning, as they would have made a remarkable first impression. Nevertheless, it’s important to recognize that this overhaul wasn’t intended to address the game’s more significant shortcomings. The original story remains intact, offering genuinely powerful moments and thrilling setpiece battles. However, the persistent issues with inconsistent tone, character portrayals, and excessively edgy dialogue persist in a second playthrough. Quests, too, still have their moments of brilliance and disappointment, with the latter becoming more apparent due to the significant improvements in core gameplay.
The resurgence of games after their initial release is becoming increasingly common, but it’s a process that doesn’t occur overnight and demands a substantial amount of behind-the-scenes work. Games evolve, even those not following a live-service model, and Cyberpunk 2077 stands as a remarkable example of how post-launch support can ultimately pay off. Admittedly, it probably should not have been released in the state it was three years ago. However, today, it has transformed into a great experience, with several aspects of Night City still impressively captivating in 2023. With the 2.0 update, Cyberpunk 2077 has undergone a significant transformation, boasting a fantastic RPG system that makes revisiting or experiencing it for the first time an absolute must.
Discover the gaming world through the eyes of Ana Luíza, the dynamic force behind howtoplay.blog. From a casual player to a respected author and redactor, Ana’s journey is a testament to her passion. Her writings transcend ordinary guides, offering deep insights and connecting every type of gamer with the essence of virtual adventures.
