After eight long years of anticipation, Cyberpunk 2077 is set to release tomorrow as CD Projekt’s biggest title ever. This is after the fact CD Projekt Red pushed back the release date multiple times. Initially, the game was set to release on Oct. 27, but unfortunately, it was pushed back to Nov. 18, and then pushed back again to Dec. 10.

The release for the game will occur for Microsoft Windows, Playstation 4, Xbox One, and Stadia players that have already pre-ordered the game or are planning to purchase the game. Those who have the latest generation of consoles (Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X/S), however, will have to wait till 2021 to play the hotly-anticipated game.

What is Cyberpunk 2077?

Based on the Cyberpunk game franchise by Mike Pondsmith, in addition to many sci-fi movies such as the 1982 film Blade Runner and the 2015 film Mad Max: Fury Road, the action-packed role-playing video game takes place in the year 2077 in an open world megacity called Night City. A megacity found in the Free State of North California where all citizens are able to openly carry firearms in public in order to keep themselves safe from the constant danger of gang wars and robotics is heavily relied upon for everyday aspects of life such as public transportation, trash collection, etc. 

In this megacity, players will play in the first-person point of view as a mercenary whose physical traits are customizable upon first entering the game. Moreover, inherent traits as well (such as intelligence, body, reflexes, technical, and cool), which are determined by the type of classes the players assume (NetRunner – Hacking, Techie – Machinery, and Solo – Combat).

After designing the character, players can then enter the game where they will play a 40 to 50-hour campaign that is “slightly shorter” than CD Projekt Red’s last blockbuster game, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, which was about 52 hours long.

“You play as V, a mercenary outlaw going after a one-of-a-kind implant that is the key to immortality,” the official synopsis for Cyberpunk 2077 states.

Furthermore, throughout the campaign, you’ll also have Keanu Reeve’s character, Johnny Silverhand, helping you out along the way as you trap yourself in the captivating campaign and play for hours on end.

Why It’s So Important That the Game Succeeds

After spending more than $80 million, a cost that was considerably greater than the last game videogame maker released, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, it’s understandable to see why CD Projekt Red wants to see the game succeed. In addition to that, the unforeseen development of COVID-19 into a global pandemic has also caused additional game delays that have pushed back the release date over and over again as employees at the videogame studio had to move back into their homes to complete the last stages of the game. A seemingly-minor inconvenience that ultimately caused a multitude of problems.

“There’s less iteration and communication on a daily basis [whenever employees are home],” said Marcin Iwiński, the co-founder and co-CEO of CD Projekt.

However, despite the many delays, the game’s initial impressions are looking good with many gaming media sites giving Cyberpunk 2077 great reviews. TechRadar, for example, gave the game four stars out of five, declaring it as “an ambitious and deeply enjoyable RPG that evokes comforting comparisons to the good old days of Fallout and Deus Ex. With great graphics, immersive simulator systems, and gripping quest design, you’re getting plenty of bang for your buck here if you can look past some of the game’s unfortunate mechanical missteps.” Moreover, IGN also gave the game a nine out of 10, calling it “a shame that frustratingly frequent bugs can occasionally kill an otherwise well-set mood, but Cyberpunk 2077’s impressively flexible design makes it a truly remarkable RPG.”

Ultimately, though, if you are looking for a game to play this winter break, you should go with Cyberpunk 2077.