CDPR encouraging adventure over carnage
Last week, the first episode of “Night City Wire” offered up a fresh new trailer for the incoming Cyberpunk 2077. One noticeable factor about this preview was that it was very action-oriented, filled with blazing barrels, squealing wheels, drive-by gun fights and even a spot of fisticuffs, emphasising that life in Night City is far from dull, or safe for that matter.
Despite this explosive preview, CD Projekt RED has noted that its tech-noir RPG has far more to offer than an excess of Hollywood action, specifically stating that while wanton mayhem is a viable option, the developer thinks it’s more likely that players will find themselves attuning to the exploration, conversation, and interpersonal relationships on offer over the non-stop lock ‘n’ load of most open-world crime titles.
“If you want to go out on a rampage and have no remorse, then you have got the option, and that’s fine with us,” said CDPR’s Max Pears in an interview with PCGamesN. “However, once you start to play the missions and see the amount of options you have, I think that will make players stop and think a little bit before doing something reckless…We’ve seen a lot of people default to that ‘GTA mode’ and then after a little bit they realise how many things are different and adjust how they play.”
Max isn’t your dad – neither am I for that matter – and players picking up Cyberpunk 2077 can enjoy its hyperactive world however they wish. But I would think going on a wild rampage “because you can” is likely to do a huge disservice to the world and characters on offer. Take Bethesda’s Fallout series: if you wanted to, you could basically walk into every single location and level it entirely. Why do that when you could instead meet the inhabitants, gain quests, barter for goods, perhaps find a little comedy or some romance?
But then, Master Bruce, some people just want to watch the world burn…
Cyberpunk 2077 launches November 19 on PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Stadia.
“GTA Mode” is possible in Cyberpunk 2077, but you may change your mind [PCGamesN]
