Cyberpunk 2077, the highly-anticipated role-playing game from CD Projekt Red, has finally arrived, and gamers are eager to dive into the vast, futuristic world of Night City. One of the most pressing questions on everyone’s mind is: how much time will I need to invest to fully experience this sprawling masterpiece? In this article, we’ll delve into the game’s length, exploring the factors that influence playtime, and providing insights from developers, reviewers, and players.
The Developer’s Take
During an interview with Kotaku, CD Projekt Red’s lead quest designer, Paweł Sasko, revealed that the main storyline of Cyberpunk 2077 takes around 20-30 hours to complete, depending on the player’s pace and playstyle. However, this estimate only accounts for the primary narrative thread and doesn’t include side quests, character development, and exploration.
Sasko emphasized that the game’s complexity and depth are designed to encourage multiple playthroughs, with a total playtime exceeding 100 hours for those who want to experience everything Cyberpunk 2077 has to offer. This echoes the developer’s commitment to creating an immersive, open-world environment that rewards exploration and curiosity.
Reviewer Insights
Reviewers who had early access to the game have shared their own experiences, providing insight into the game’s length and depth. Many have reported that completing the main story takes around 25-35 hours, with some completing it in as little as 15-20 hours.
However, the real meat of the game lies in its side quests, character customization, and world-building. Reviewers have praised the game’s engaging narrative and well-developed characters, which add significantly to the overall playtime. Some have reported investing upwards of 50-60 hours to complete the majority of side quests and explore the world.
The Impact of Playstyle
Playstyle is a significant factor in determining the length of time it takes to complete Cyberpunk 2077. Players who focus on the main storyline, avoiding side quests and exploration, will naturally complete the game faster than those who take their time to soak in the atmosphere and engage with the world.
On the other hand, players who immerse themselves in the game’s world, completing side quests, crafting, and exploring, will extend their playtime significantly. The game’s complexity and depth are designed to accommodate different playstyles, ensuring that each player’s experience is unique and engaging.
Player Feedback
Players who have already dived into the game have shared their own experiences, providing valuable insights into the game’s length and depth. On online forums and social media, players have reported a wide range of playtimes, from around 20-30 hours for the main story to upwards of 80-100 hours for those who want to experience everything.
One player reported completing the main story in 22 hours, but stated that they had only scratched the surface of the game’s content. Another player reported investing over 60 hours into the game, with a completion rate of around 80%. These experiences highlight the game’s replayability and the vast amount of content available to players.
Replay Value
Cyberpunk 2077’s replay value is a significant aspect of its overall length and depth. The game’s branching narrative, multiple endings, and character customization options encourage players to experiment with different playstyles and choices. This adds a whole new layer of complexity to the game, as players can repeat the experience with a new perspective, making different choices and exploring alternative story paths.
The game’s level of replayability is further enhanced by its dynamic world, which responds to the player’s actions and decisions. This ensures that each playthrough is unique, with players encountering different characters, quests, and story twists.
Comparison to Other RPGs
Cyberpunk 2077’s length and depth are often compared to other notable role-playing games (RPGs). For example, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, also developed by CD Projekt Red, took around 20-30 hours to complete the main story, with a total playtime of over 100 hours for those who wanted to experience everything.
Other RPGs, such as the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, have been known to take upwards of 200-300 hours to complete, depending on the player’s level of engagement and exploration. While Cyberpunk 2077 may not reach the same level of playtime as some of these behemoths, its density, complexity, and replay value ensure that it remains an engaging and immersive experience.
A New Standard for RPGs?
Cyberpunk 2077’s length and depth may set a new standard for RPGs, pushing the boundaries of what is expected from an open-world game. The game’s commitment to complexity, replayability, and immersion raises the bar for future RPGs, encouraging developers to create more engaging, dynamic, and responsive worlds.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the expectations of players will likely shift, with a greater emphasis on depth, complexity, and replay value. Cyberpunk 2077’s influence on the industry will be felt for years to come, shaping the direction of RPGs and open-world games.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the length of Cyberpunk 2077 is a complex, multifaceted aspect of the game that defies a simple answer. While the main story can be completed in around 20-30 hours, the game’s true length and depth are measured in the countless hours of exploration, side quests, character customization, and world-building.
Whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore gamer, Cyberpunk 2077 offers an experience that is both engaging and immersive, with a level of replayability that ensures the game remains fresh and exciting long after the credits roll. So, buckle up, grab your cyberdeck, and get ready to lose yourself in the vast, futuristic world of Night City. The question is no longer “how many hours is Cyberpunk 2077?”, but rather, “how many hours will I spend playing Cyberpunk 2077?”
How many hours does it take to complete the main story of Cyberpunk 2077?
The main story of Cyberpunk 2077 can be completed in around 20-30 hours, depending on the player’s skill level and playing style. This is a relatively modest time commitment compared to some other open-world RPGs, and it’s possible to finish the main story in a weekend or two if you play consistently.
However, it’s worth noting that the main story is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Cyberpunk 2077’s content. There are many side quests, optional activities, and character customization options to explore, which can add dozens of hours to your overall playtime. If you want to see everything the game has to offer, be prepared to spend 50-100 hours or more in the world of Night City.
How long does it take to complete all the side quests and optional activities in Cyberpunk 2077?
Completing all the side quests and optional activities in Cyberpunk 2077 can take around 50-100 hours, depending on your level of dedication and interest. There are dozens of side quests, each with its own unique story and characters, and many of them can take several hours to complete. Additionally, there are various optional activities, such as hacking, crafting, and exploring the city, which can add even more hours to your playtime.
It’s also worth noting that the game has a dynamic system that generates random events and encounters, so you may stumble upon unexpected side quests or activities as you explore the city. This can add even more variety and replayability to the game, but it also means that you may need to invest more time to see everything the game has to offer.
Is it possible to 100% complete Cyberpunk 2077?
It is technically possible to 100% complete Cyberpunk 2077, but it would require a significant time investment. To achieve 100% completion, you would need to complete every side quest, optional activity, and collect every collectible, as well as max out your character’s skills and abilities. This would likely take over 100 hours, possibly even 200 hours or more, depending on your skill level and dedication.
However, it’s worth noting that the game’s developers, CD Projekt Red, have said that they designed the game to be enjoyable and engaging, rather than simply requiring players to complete every single task. So, while it’s possible to strive for 100% completion, it’s also important to remember to enjoy the game’s story, characters, and world, rather than feeling obligated to complete every single task.
How does the game’s difficulty level affect playtime?
The game’s difficulty level can significantly affect playtime in Cyberpunk 2077. If you play on the easiest difficulty setting, you may be able to complete the main story and side quests more quickly, potentially in under 50 hours. However, if you play on the highest difficulty setting, you may need to spend more time upgrading your character’s skills and gear, which can add dozens of hours to your playtime.
Additionally, the game’s difficulty level can also affect the complexity of the gameplay. On higher difficulty settings, enemies will be more aggressive and require more strategy to defeat, which can add to the overall playtime. So, if you’re looking for a challenging experience, be prepared to spend more time playing the game.
Can I play Cyberpunk 2077 in a single playthrough?
While it’s technically possible to play Cyberpunk 2077 in a single playthrough, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to see everything the game has to offer in one go. The game has multiple branching storylines, multiple endings, and many side quests and optional activities that are mutually exclusive. This means that you may need to play the game multiple times to see every possible outcome and experience every side quest.
Additionally, the game’s character customization options are so extensive that you may want to play multiple characters to try out different builds and playstyles. So, while it’s possible to play the game in a single playthrough, you may miss out on a lot of the game’s content and replay value.
Is Cyberpunk 2077 worth the time commitment?
Ultimately, whether or not Cyberpunk 2077 is worth the time commitment is up to personal preference. If you enjoy immersive, story-driven RPGs with deep character customization and a richly detailed world, then the game is likely worth the time commitment. The game’s engaging story, memorable characters, and addictive gameplay make it easy to become invested in the world of Night City.
However, if you’re short on time or prefer shorter, more casual gaming experiences, then Cyberpunk 2077 may not be the best fit for you. The game requires a significant time investment, and if you’re not willing to put in the time, you may not get the most out of the game. But for fans of the genre, the game is likely to be a thrilling and unforgettable experience.