Cyberpunk 2077 is an action role-playing game[2] played from a first-person perspective as V,[3] a mercenary whose voice,[4] face, hairstyle, body type and modifications, background, and clothing are customisable. There are also five attributes (Body, Intelligence, Reflexes, Technical, and Cool) that can be customized to suit the player's gameplay style.
The gameplay is flexible: the three primary play styles are Netrunner (hacking), Techie (machinery), and Solo (combat). V has a number of maneuvers to reposition in combat, including sprinting, taking cover, double-jumping, and sliding;[5][6] many of these abilities can be unlocked or upgraded through cyberware implants installed by a "ripperdoc".[7] Weapon use increases accuracy and reloading speed, which are reflected in character animations.[8] Equipment, such as weapons and armor, is governed by a coloured tier system[9] and is split into melee and ranged options. Melee strikes can be dealt with close-combat weapons.[10][11] There are three types of ranged weapons, all of which can be customised and modified—Power (with ricocheting bullets), Tech (which penetrates walls and enemies), and Smart (with homing bullets).[12][13] The game has four types of damage that can be inflicted and resisted—Physical, Thermal, Electric, and Chemical.[14][15][16] The game can be completed without killing anyone,[17] with non-lethal options for weapons and cyberware.[18]
The open world metropolis of Night City consists of six regions: the corporate City Centre, immigrant-inhabited Watson, luxurious Westbrook, suburban Heywood, gang-infested Pacifica, and industrial Santo Domingo. Its surrounding area, the Badlands, can also be explored. V navigates these locations on foot (in first-person view) and in vehicles (in either a third- or first-person view).[7] V owns an apartment and a garage, and can purchase additional apartments throughout the city.[10] There is a full day-night cycle and dynamic weather, which affects the way non-player characters (NPCs) behave.[12][19] Depending on the location, law enforcement may be alerted if V commits a crime.[20] Pedestrians are vulnerable to vehicular collisions.[13] [21] Radio stations are available to listen to.[22] [23] Night City features many non-English-speaking characters, whose languages can be translated with special implants.[24] V also periodically uses a "Braindance," a device that allows one to undergo other people's experiences.[25][26]
Branching dialogues enable interaction with NPCs and actions in quests[27] and the player's in-game choices can lead to different endings.[26] Experience points are obtained from main quests and used to upgrade stats; side quests yield "street cred", unlocking skills, vendors, places, and additional quests.[9][12][13][28] Quests are acquired from characters known as Fixers.[13] Throughout the game, V is aided by various companions.[10] Consumables, such as food, drinks, and drugs, are used for healing and temporary enhancements, and objects can be inspected in V's inventory.[6] Minigames include hacking, boxing, auto racing,[29] martial arts, and shooting ranges.[30]
