Cyberpunk 2077

V and Night City

Cyberpunk 2077 places the player in the role of V, a mercenary trying to build a name in Night City. The official game page frames the central job around a one-of-a-kind implant tied to immortality, and describes the city as an open world where choices affect the story and the people around V. Gigs provide work and opportunities to establish a reputation, while the implant becomes the thread that connects the main plot.

Night City is more than a backdrop: it is the place where V’s jobs, contacts and decisions intersect. The official description emphasises the mysteries surrounding the implant and the consequences of the choices the player makes. The game is presented as a role-playing experience, so V’s progression and approach to situations are part of the appeal. The precise path through the story depends on the player’s decisions, rather than one fixed route through every encounter.

Character development and play

The official store describes Cyberpunk 2077 as a single-player role-playing game. Players take on missions and gigs, use a mix of combat and equipment options, and shape V’s development over the course of the story. The game’s setting supports different ways to approach challenges, but builds should be selected for the style of play a person enjoys rather than treated as a single correct answer.

The base game and its expansion are separate purchase choices. Phantom Liberty is described by CD Projekt Red as a spy-thriller story that sends V into Dogtown, a walled-off district, and adds a new storyline, gigs, missions and the Relic skill tree. It is not required for the free base-game updates discussed here. Players who want the expansion bundled with the main game can compare the Base and Ultimate editions on GOG, while owners of the base game can still receive the free updates.

Updates after launch

Cyberpunk 2077 has continued to receive updates. Update 2.3 adds features such as AutoDrive, the Delamain taxi service, new quests and vehicles, and expanded Photo Mode options. CD Projekt Red says it is free for owners of the base game and does not require Phantom Liberty or the Ultimate Edition. The developer’s announcement names the supported platforms and explains that the update does not require players to begin a new save.

The Edgerunners 2 Update (version 2.5) adds content inspired by the anime series, including a quest set before the show, character gear and a new radio station. It also adds cyberware customisation options through Glamdocs and a dual-wielding playstyle. The official page lists the update as free for base-game owners and names current platform availability. Its wording about Nintendo Switch 2 availability is time-sensitive, so check the official update page for the latest platform status.

Editions and prices

GOG lists two core purchase choices: the Base Edition at a US list price of $59.99, and the Ultimate Edition at $79.99. The latter bundles the base game with Phantom Liberty. The price fields here use list prices rather than temporary discounts shown alongside them on the storefront. Prices may vary by territory and retailer, and an edition’s contents should always be checked on the store page before purchase.

A buyer who wants only the main Night City story can choose the Base Edition; someone who also wants the Dogtown expansion can compare the Ultimate bundle. The free updates are separate from those paid editions: CD Projekt Red states that updates 2.3 and 2.5 are available to base-game owners. This distinction matters because “Ultimate” does not mean that every later update is locked behind a paid expansion. The official FAQ pages identify the free update requirements and platform availability.

Ratings and where to start

The ESRB rates Cyberpunk 2077 Mature 17+ and lists content descriptors including blood and gore, intense violence, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, and use of drugs and alcohol. The full rating page explains those descriptors in more detail. Readers choosing the game for themselves or a family member should consult the rating board’s complete description rather than rely on the short label alone.

New players can start with the base game and decide later whether they want the Phantom Liberty expansion. The official store and CD Projekt Red pages are the best place to check current platform availability, edition contents and update requirements. The GOG listing provided the list prices used here, while the update pages clarify which content is free and which requires the expansion.