CD Projekt RED Continues to Go Beyond Expectations with Cyberpunk 2077 Support

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that I’ve seen my fair share of game launches, some smooth and some as bumpy as a camel’s back. But none have quite captured my heart like the rollercoaster ride that is Cyberpunk 2077.

Despite many single-player games typically not receiving updates after four years, Cyberpunk 2077, developed by CD Projekt RED, has recently rolled out Update 2.2. This update doesn’t drastically alter the gameplay but subtly improves various features, making the overall experience smoother.

Mainly, Update 2.2 primarily enhances the variety of cosmetic customization choices across multiple areas, available exclusively for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC versions of the game (as with recent updates). It introduces up to 112 new personalization options for players to select when crafting or modifying their character’s appearance, as well as an upgraded Randomizer. A fresh addition also lets you customize the look of vehicles you own, a change you can even make while submerged. Intriguingly, altering your car’s color during a police chase, if no officers were close enough to witness, helps you lose them more quickly.

As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to share that the latest update brings a plethora of new Photo Mode options, exciting additions like Drone Mode, and fresh purchasable vehicles. These enhancements not only spice up gameplay but also elevate the overall atmosphere of Cyberpunk 2077, a game that’s already excelling in setting the vibe. For instance, while cruising through Night City’s neon-lit streets, there’s a chance you’ll find Johnny Silverhand sitting shotgun, taking in the sights as we ride together.

This isn’t an update that significantly alters the gameplay in Cyberpunk 2077, but it’s a significant one nonetheless, and one that wasn’t anticipated, especially for a four-year-old single-player game. Historically, such games are believed to have completed their redemption arcs, but CD Projekt RED continues to surprise us with new updates. This latest update is another delight for Cyberpunk 2077 fans and serves as evidence of the consistent, high-quality support the game has been receiving over an extended period.

Initially, it was anticipated that support for “Cyberpunk 2077” would wrap up following the release of Update 2.0 and “Phantom Liberty” around September 2023. This marked a significant milestone as “Cyberpunk 2077” had struggled to overcome its rocky launch and subsequent issues. Despite these challenges, CDPR continued to support the game. Last year, with the arrival of “Phantom Liberty” and Update 2.0 (which followed years of improvements and upgrades), “Cyberpunk 2077” was transformed into a genuinely outstanding game without any reservations.

Following such an impressive comeback, many might have thought that CD Projekt RED had finally put the game to rest, given that early development for the next Cyberpunk project, tentatively named Project Orion, was already underway. Yet, just a short while later, the developer surprised everyone with Update 2.1, which turned out to be quite significant. The long-awaited Metro system took center stage in this update, but it also introduced new vehicles, an option for foot-walking music, enhancements to boss battles, new accessibility options, and various other improvements.

It had become apparent that there would be no more substantial updates to the game “Cyberpunk 2077”, or at least none of significance. However, a patch was released in January 2024 followed by another in February, both incorporating minor fixes and enhancements. It appeared as though that was the end of the line for the game. Interestingly, the game director, Gabe Amatangelo, confirmed in an interview with Game File that while there might be some minor updates occasionally, the project had essentially been completed, with the team shifting their focus to either “The Witcher 4” or the next installment of “Cyberpunk”, with the former being farther along in development. And then, to everyone’s surprise, Update 2.2 came along towards the end of the year, providing another unanticipated lift for CDPR’s RPG.

Ideally, Cyberpunk 2077 would have launched smoothly, sparing CD Projekt RED the task of restoring its reputation after a rocky launch. As players, we expect games we pay full price for, especially long-awaited ones, to respect our time and money. Unfortunately, at its release in 2020, Cyberpunk 2077 was a debacle. It’s not uncommon for games with rough launches to be overlooked before any recovery effort begins, but CDPR chose to persist with what seemed like a lost cause and remarkably transformed it into the exceptional game it is today. After this turnaround, the studio didn’t stop there and continued to push forward.

Remarkably, it’s worth considering that there may still be a few substantial updates coming for Cyberpunk 2077 in the not-too-distant timeframe. For example, one highly anticipated addition has been the New Game Plus mode, while many have also eagerly awaited PS5 Pro enhancements for a game known for its stunning visuals and technical prowess on contemporary hardware. Regrettably, neither the New Game Plus nor the PS5 Pro enhancements were included in Update 2.2. However, this does not necessarily mean we won’t see those features with future updates – they could potentially be introduced in upcoming patches.

It’s apparent that CDPR may be overextending themselves with Cyberpunk 2077 at this stage, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they decided to fully focus on their upcoming projects instead. However, unexpectedly, for Update 2.2, CD Projekt RED collaborated with Virtuos. This external team will continue refining Cyberpunk 2077 while CDPR works on other projects. This arrangement wasn’t widely anticipated, but now that we know it’s happening, we can’t help but ponder if there might be more updates for the game in the future, possibly developed by external partners.

Despite not playing Cyberpunk 2077 yet, it’s clear that the game has gone beyond expectations with its continued post-post-launch efforts. After receiving critical acclaim for Phantom Liberty and Update 2.0 last year, the game has only grown and improved, surprising us even when we thought it was done. And honestly, we’re not complaining – we’ve found ourselves drawn back to Night City repeatedly, just like millions of others.

Please take note that while this article’s perspectives belong to its writer, they may not align with or be endorsed by GamingBolt as a collective entity. The author’s opinions are distinct from our own.

2024-12-21 20:41

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