Cyberpunk 2077, the ambitious sci-fi RPG from CD Projekt Red, has been nominated for the Best Ongoing Game award at The Game Awards 2023. This is a remarkable achievement for a game that was widely criticized for its technical issues and lack of content when it first launched in 2020. How did Cyberpunk 2077 manage to turn things around and become one of the most improved games of the past two years?
The answer lies in the game’s post-launch support, which has been consistent and substantial. Cyberpunk 2077 has received numerous updates and expansions that have fixed its bugs, enhanced its performance, added new features, and expanded its world and story. The game has also benefited from the next-gen update, which improved its graphics and gameplay on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles.
The most significant addition to Cyberpunk 2077 was the Phantom Liberty DLC, which was released in October 2023. This expansion added a new area to the game, called Liberty City, which is based on New York and features its own factions, quests, and characters. The DLC also introduced a single-player story that follows V, the protagonist, as they try to uncover a conspiracy involving a mysterious AI. The DLC also added new abilities, such as hacking, stealth, and parkour, as well as a revamped police system, overhauled enemy AI, vehicle combat, a skill tree rework, and an armor system.
The Phantom Liberty DLC was not the only content that Cyberpunk 2077 received after its launch. The game also got crossover content from the Edgerunners anime, which is set in the same universe and features some of the same characters. The crossover content included new outfits, weapons, and vehicles inspired by the anime, as well as a new quest that involved meeting the Edgerunners and helping them with a heist.
The game’s nomination for Best Ongoing Game is unusual, as the award is typically given to live-service or MMO games that have regular updates and events. However, Cyberpunk 2077’s post-launch support has been so extensive and transformative that it has essentially become a different game from what it was in 2020. The game has gone from being a flop to being a contender for one of the most prestigious awards in the gaming industry.
Cyberpunk 2077’s journey to the Best Ongoing Game award is one of redemption and transformation. The game has overcome its initial technical issues and lack of content and has become one of the most immersive and engaging RPGs of the decade. Cyberpunk 2077 has proven that it is possible to recover from a disastrous launch and deliver on its promises.
Relevant articles:
– Cyberpunk 2077 winning a “Best Ongoing Game” award feels incredibly off
– Cyberpunk 2077’s Unusual Game Awards 2023 Nomination Explained – Game Rant
– Best Ongoing | Nominees | The Game Awards
– Cyberpunk 2077 nominated for The Game Awards 2023!