I finally got around to playing this after all the patches, and Night City lived up to the hype. Fun fact: I actually bought the original PC version back when it launched but never played it due to all the performance issues and bugs. That sealed copy is still sitting on my shelf. Playing it now on PS5 after years of updates was the right call.
The perk system lets you build however you want - I went heavy into netrunner abilities and it felt powerful. Hacking cameras, turning turrets against enemies, making people’s cyberware malfunction. You could also go full melee berserker or stealth infiltrator. The flexibility is real.
The combat has depth once you understand it. Chaining quickhacks together, timing bullet deflections with your cyberware, and combining Relic abilities with your build creates satisfying moments. Police chases through downtown feel intense with the vehicle combat system, and the city constantly throws random encounters at you between main missions. Cyberpsycho sightings, gang activity, news about corporate drama - it all makes Night City feel alive.
Dogtown from the Phantom Liberty expansion is incredible. It’s way denser than the main city with more verticality, and the level design is tighter and more reactive to your choices. The expansion adds new gameplay systems that integrate well with the base game.
V’s story hit me harder than I expected. The whole dying brain situation with Johnny Silverhand creates this ticking clock that makes everything feel urgent. Keanu Reeves and Idris Elba both deliver strong performances. The side gigs aren’t just filler either - they have actual characters and stories that matter, and many of them tie into the themes of the main narrative.
The Phantom Liberty expansion ties into the main story really well. The spy thriller angle adds another layer to V’s arc, and the new endings give you more meaningful choices about how things end.
Night City is visually stunning. The neon, the rain, the verticality of it all creates an atmosphere that’s hard to match. Every district has its own vibe, and the soundtrack mixes licensed tracks with original music that fits perfectly depending on where you are.
Took 46 hours to see the main story and expansion through. Night City feels alive in a way most open world games don’t. Glad I finally played this - worth the wait.