Ever since its announcement back in 2012, Cyberpunk 2077 has sparked the curiosity of many RPG enthusiasts about its release date. In those seven years, developer CD Projekt Red released its magnum opus, The Witcher 3, which not only raised the bar for open world RPGs as a whole, but for the studio’s upcoming project as well. Until last year, CD Projekt Red has kept relatively silent about its upcoming game.
Last year, it dropped a 48-minute long gameplay trailer showcasing an in-development build of Cyberpunk 2077 fanning the hype flame. With the game confirmed to be present at E3 2019 and a potential Cyberpunk 2077 release date on the horizon, here’s everything we know about CD Projekt Red’s upcoming sci-fi RPG.
Cyberpunk 2077 Release Date
The current lack of a Cyberpunk 2077 release date is, most likely, the result of developer CD Projekt Red’s habit of taking its time with its titles. However, in the last months information has arisen that helps with narrowing down a potential Cyberpunk 2077 release date.
Back in December, a document on Stockwatch.pl revealed that analysts believe Cyberpunk 2077 is likely going to release at some point in 2019. Then, a few days ago we learned that the studio plans to release both Cyberpunk 2077 and another unannounced RPG before 2021. Afterwards, on the CD Projekt Red forums, it was specified that Cyberpunk 2077 would be the first of the two to launch and that work on the second would only begin after Cyberpunk releases.
Cyberpunk 2077 has been shown at last year’s E3 and is confirmed to be present at this year’s event, which CEO Adam Kiciński told investors is a good time to announce the launch date of a game. Realistically, the Cyberpunk 2077 release date is as likely to be pushed as far as 2021, given the developer’s known leaning towards releasing a polished product. However, given the confirmed existence of another RPG planned to launch before 2021, and coupled with the developer’s penchant for polish, it’s possible that we could be looking at a late 2019 or early 2020 release date for Cyberpunk that would free the team up to begin work on their next project. We’ll hopefully learn more at E3 2019.
Cyberpunk 2077 Gameplay Trailers
As far as Cyberpunk 2077 Gameplay Trailers go, CD Projekt Red has released them at a slow pace. After showing the game behind closed doors at last year’s E3, they released the Cyberpunk 2077 E3 Trailer which gave everyone a first taste of what to expect from the game in terms of setting and aesthetics.
This was followed by the now-notorious 48-minute Cyberpunk 2077 Gameplay Trailer that provided a fairly deep look at how the game would play. In 48 minutes, the studio had plenty of time to showcase lots of important elements, such as character customization, dialogue and choices, shooting and even driving around Night City.
While not a Cyberpunk 2077 Gameplay Trailer per se, the Creating Cyberpunk 2077 video on the official PlayStation YouTube channel further discusses how CD Projekt Red went about making its latest project.
Cyberpunk 2077 Multiplayer
CD Projekt Red’s interest for Cyberpunk 2077 multiplayer elements was brought up not long after the title’s initial announcement. However, quest designer Patrick Mills has confirmed in an interview with Eurogamer that they won’t be in the game when it launches.
Cyberpunk 2077 multiplayer, whichever form it may end up taking, is currently in R&D and handled by Digital Scapes, the studio that contributed to Dying Light’s PvP invasion mechanic. It certainly won’t take the form of a battle royale mode, though.
Cyberpunk 2077 Co-op
Cyberpunk 2077 co-op was not specifically addressed, most likely due to how, in spite of its willingness to consider multiplayer elements, developer CD Projekt Red still views the title primarily as a single-player RPG, much like The Witcher 3.
Without knowing what form the multiplayer will take, it’s difficult to gauge whether Cyberpunk 2077 co-op will ever be a thing. Then again, the presence of an AI companion during quests was already showcased so, one could speculate that replacing the AI companion with a human player could be one way to approach multiplayer.
Cyberpunk 2077 Weapons
As far as Cyberpunk 2077 weapons are concerned, the title will include a healthy variety of weaponry. If the 48-minute gameplay trailer’s highlight was a smart weapon with bullets which automatically tracked foes, reaching them even beyond cover, the mantis blades present in an earlier reveal will also be usable in-game.
You can also expect stuff like shotguns, pistols and assault rifles in terms of Cyberpunk 2077 weapons. Weapon customization will allow for outfitting your arsenal with different modules and ammo types which change their capabilities. One of those showcased, connected to the player character’s eyes, made a pistol’s bullets ricochet off walls, providing another avenue of reaching foes behind cover. There are also weapons whose bullets can outright penetrate walls.
Cyberpunk 2077 Quests
Staying true to the developer’s legacy, a large focus is placed on Cyberpunk 2077 Quests. Obtained in traditional ways, like through conversation with one of Night City’s many NPCs, they task players with a number of different objectives. From retrieving sensitive assets from a dangerous gang hideout to discovering moles funneling information, quests will be the primary vehicle of pushing the story forward but also getting to know Night City in all its glamorous yet unforgiving glory.
Cyberpunk 2077 Quests will also give players multiple options in terms of completing them. Dialogue plays a major role, diplomacy and persuasion being able to open up new ways to approach and complete missions. Stealth and going in guns blazing are also potential approaches which go hand in hand with skills that can turn the main character into a netrunner able to hack terminals or an engineer that can find new ways of navigating levels.
Quest Designer Philipp Weber stated that Cyberpunk 2077 Quests will not only be more complex in terms of design than those in The Witcher 3, taking into account more possible player choices when it comes to how they’re solved, but will also rely less on crutches like the Witcher Sense. Completing side quests is confirmed to reward Street Cred, an additional form of experience that unlocks certain vendors and content as your notoriety grows. Certain decisions can also trigger random encounters after a quest is completed, like an angered gang sending a hit squad after you in plain daylight.
Cyberpunk 2077 Screenshots
Cyberpunk 2077 Cars
The jump from fantasy to sci-fi also brings with it new ways of getting around the game’s world. Roach has been replaced with Cyberpunk 2077 cars, which will be the main way of getting around the massive Night City, alongside bikes and other types of vehicles.
Players will be able to drive Cyberpunk 2077 cars in both first and third person. If push comes to shove, and you really need to get out of an area, you can also steal cars. Sadly, flying vehicles will, most likely, not be controllable by players.
Cyberpunk 2077 Relationships
In terms of Cyberpunk 2077 Relationships, especially those of the romantic persuasion, the fact that you’re playing as a created character instead of one with a defined past opens things up a bit.
You’ll be able to define your character’s sexuality in different ways. “We’ve got NPCs that are gay, we’ve got NPCs that are bi, we’ve got NPCs that are straight, because we want them to feel real and that they have preferences as well.”, quest designer Patrick Mills told Game Informer in an interview.
Cyberpunk 2077 Map
Given the need of using cars to get around, the Cyberpunk 2077 map is bound to be expansive. Night City will be split into six districts, travel between them being seamless and not involving any loading screens. Where corporations and luxury describe City Center, Westbrook acts as a tourist hub.
Watson, a former industrial district houses a mixture of Asian cultures but also crime and opportunities to make money, while Heywood is Night City’s suburban Latino district that has an unadressed gang problem. Rounding up the Cyberpunk 2077 Map, the two districts found outside the city showcase considerably less glamour. Santo Domingo is where Night City’s power comes from and where most of its industry is housed. Lastly, Pacifica is the poorest district that’s been overrun by gangs. It sounds like we’re going to see a good amount of variety in terms of theme and, the different cultural landscape in each of these districts gives way for plenty of discussion on the potential issues that a society like Night City’s might have.
Night City also showcases the rather unique turns that technology takes. A portion of the 48-minute gameplay demo showcases a static ad for a cola drink not only being custom tailored to the protagonist but also informing them about the nearest vendors they can purchase the drink from. Night City itself was shown filled with crowds of people going about their day.
