Strategies to Excel in Cyberpunk 2077 for Newcomers

Welcome to the immersive world of Cyberpunk 2077, a sprawling urban landscape brimming with neon-lit streets, corporate intrigue, and futuristic technology. As you step into the shoes of V, a mercenary navigating the treacherous paths of Night City, you'll encounter a vast array of challenges, characters, and choices that will shape your experience in this dystopian society.

Whether you're a seasoned gamer or new to the genre, our compilation of tips and strategies is designed to enhance your journey through this richly detailed game. From combat mechanics to story immersion, crafting to character progression, we've got insightful advice to help you maximize your potential and enjoy every aspect of Cyberpunk 2077's offerings.

So plug in, gear up, and prepare to delve into the cybernetic heart of Night City with these essential tips tailored for beginners and veterans alike. Each tip below is packed with knowledge to guide you on your quest for dominance, survival, and perhaps even a touch of humanity in a world where every choice has weight and every action echoes through the digital corridors of the future.

Navigating Healing With Strategy After the Update

In earlier versions of Cyberpunk 2077, players could rely heavily on using healing items frequently to recover from damage rapidly. This practice is no longer viable due to a significant revamp in the game's 2.0 update, which introduces a cooldown period for healing. The implication for players is clear: stockpiling healing items has lost its utility, and strategic combat to minimize damage is now essential. When engaging in fights, it becomes crucial to find the right moment to heal.

Escaping the Highest-Level Police Pursuit

At the game's outset, the law enforcement mechanisms were notably flawed, with police spawning in rather abruptly, creating an unrealistic pursuit experience. Cyberpunk 2077's overhaul has addressed this, introducing a wanted-level system reminiscent of games like GTA and policing that reacts proportionally to the player's actions. Attaining the 5-star level now spells disaster, as MaxTac, a formidable force, will arrive. Defeating, or even surviving against them, requires exceptional skill or clever gaming strategies. Otherwise, defeat is likely inevitable.

Mastering Combat From Behind the Wheel

One of the much-requested features, vehicular combat, found its way into the game with the 2.0 Update – a major win for players yearning for dynamic car shootouts. The joy of cruising through Night City while engaging enemies with firearms, or even better, using vehicles equipped with turrets and machine guns, became a highlight, especially in the Phantom Liberty expansion. The main campaign might offer limited car combat occasions, but Phantom Liberty ensures that fans get a rich taste of this thrilling feature.

Choosing and Refining Your Style of Play

Cyberpunk 2077 now emphasizes a firmer role-playing experience post-update, rendering an all-rounder character less viable. Deciding on a specific build is more crucial than ever due to the perks system playing a considerable role in gameplay mechanics. Focusing on a single type of build early on ensures a stronger and more capable character, whether it’s the stealth of the Netrunner, the agility of a shinobi, or the strength of a solo fighter. Skill specialization is rewarding and crucial to not hit a progression standstill.

Embracing the World Through Side Quests

Drawing from the experience of CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077's side missions are rich and deeply developed, offering a narrative diversity that often rivals or surpasses the main storyline. Delving into these side quests is not only recommended for the story experience but also for gameplay reasons. To unlock the full spectrum of the game's ending options, players should invest time in the side missions. Skipping these quests can lead to less satisfactory conclusions and potentially miss out on some of the game's best narrative moments.

Forge a Bond with Johnny Silverhand

Keanu Reeves' portrayal of Johnny Silverhand might tip into the realm of the theatrical, but as players journey through Night City, Johnny's complex character emerges, and his initial rough exterior softens in the player's eyes. His enthusiasm can be overwhelming, yet time reveals depth and intricacy. Aligning with Johnny, engaging deeply with his storyline, and securing his support not only opens the door to additional narrative paths but also allows access to an exclusive conclusion in which V single-handedly confronts the might of Arasaka.

Optimize Your Build for Efficiency

With the freedom to tailor your character's skills, creating an optimized build in Cyberpunk 2077 is integral. Cultivating a harmonious relationship with Johnny and delving into his narrative unlocks potent ending routes and even a solitary venture against immense corporate power.

Address NCPD Scanner Hustles Strategically 

Scattered throughout Night City are NCPD scanner hustles that become more prevalent as players progress. While these tasks might not be the most narratively engaging, they serve practical benefits, including the acquisition of high-value crafting blueprints and gear. These hustles also provide financial rewards, paving the way for better vehicular purchases and offering a means to rapidly boost both street credibility and character level. While it's not necessary to seek them out meticulously, they are worth tackling when players encounter them during their explorations.

Embrace Night City's Vertical Landscape

Cyberpunk 2077 may seem more condensed compared to the expansive terrain of The Witcher 3, yet this density is due to the city's vertical construction. Countless rooftops and high places wait to be discovered, with lifts and mobility enhancements serving as keys to these locations. Enhanced mobility, including double jumps and mid-air dashes introduced in the new update, is instrumental in navigating these heights.

Secure Superior Cyberware Early

The enhancements known as cyberware define the Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay experience. Pay close attention to new cyberware options, which unlock as your street credibility increases. Strategic cyberware selections are crucial for powerful combat efficacy. With the 2.0 Update's overhaul of the cyberwar system, these enhancements become not just desirable but necessary for V's survival and combat prowess. Incorporating cutting-edge cyberware with armor and carefully increasing your technical expertise ensures V remains formidable in battle.

Explore Without Limitations

Post-update, Cyberpunk 2077 emboldens players to venture through Night City without the fear of facing overpowering adversaries. Encounters now adjust to the player's level, eradicating previous level-locked areas and quests. This change invites endless exploration and interaction with the city, unhindered by level restrictions, enhancing freedom and engagement with the game world.

Select Your Origin with Ease

Embarking on your Cyberpunk 2077 adventure begins with a pivotal decision: selecting V's Life Path, with Corpo, Street Kid, and Nomad as the three distinct choices. This decision shapes the game's initial stages, including the prologue, dialogue variations, and potential connections. While it may seem significant, the Life Path choice has minimal impact on the overarching gameplay. Select without stress, knowing it's more a narrative flavor than a transformative choice, and it contributes to game replay value.

Refining Combat, Beyond Headshot Reliance

In the realm of Cyberpunk 2077, headshots don't offer the same lethal advantage found in other first-person shooters. While aiming for the head does yield extra damage, it's not the decisive factor it is in many shooter games. Players are encouraged instead to invest in weapon upgrades and understand the damage calculation intricacies unique to Cyberpunk 2077. Over time, precise shots will become more effective, but it's important to realize the game's combat depth lies beyond just targeting the head.

Mind Your In-Game Decisions

Decisions in Cyberpunk 2077 linger and reverberate much longer than in other games, influencing far-reaching consequences in the game's story. Actions taken and words spoken can reshape side missions, dialogue options, and even the tools at V's disposal down the line. It's wise to remember these decisions as they weave into the game's living narrative, shaping the personal tale you create in Night City.

Strengthen Your Street Reputation

In Cyberpunk 2077, establishing a fearsome reputation is crucial. Unlike CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 3, where Leveling Up was a lone wolf's game, Cyberpunk 2077 introduces a parallel prestige metric known as Street Cred. This vital stat is bolstered by completing jobs and grows synchronously with V's notoriety. The more Street Cred V has, the more opportunities and actions unlock, so make it a priority as you play.

Crafting – A Path Worth Pursing

Even though crafting isn't mandatory in Cyberpunk 2077, it's certainly advantageous. The recent 2.0 Update refined the crafting system, making it more accessible and less rigid. Players should be vigilant about crafting materials and consider utilizing crafting to upgrade cyberwar and weapons, enhancing their capabilities in Night City's cutthroat environment.

Eddies Make Night City Go Round

The currency of Night City, Eddies, powers your experiences and acquisitions. Initially, funds are sparse, and accruing wealth will involve completing jobs and capitalizing on any financial undertakings available. Harvesting weapons from fallen adversaries and engaging in local NCPD scanner tasks can be quite lucrative and bolster V's financial resources early in the game.

Let Night City's Stories Enrich Your Experience

With a world as immersive as Night City, it's tempting to race through the core narrative. However, this approach skims the surface of a deeply layered experience. The storyline, paired with the sprawling city life, forms a complete tapestry of the Cyberpunk experience. The player's explorations and interactions contribute significantly to the overarching resolution, so pause the urgency and dive into the vibrant life coursing through Night City.

Flexibility with Attribute and Perks Investment

Attribute and Perk Points, like Street Cred, play a pivotal role in character development. While upgrading your character is necessary, distributing points should be tactical. Cyberpunk 2077's levels can be approached in multiple ways, so it's best to allocate points when you're sure of what's needed to succeed. Hold onto points and use them judiciously to tailor your upgrades to the situation at hand, even if that means doing so amid action.

Choosing V's Identity with Purpose

Each choice in Cyberpunk 2077 helps define V's identity. Although accumulating points for strategic reallocation can be wise, these shouldn't overshadow the broader journey of defining who V is. The game welcomes players to shape their experience, involving them deeply in Netrunner subterfuge or street combats. It's essential to contemplate how you wish V to navigate and impact Night City, even though respeccing is a possibility later.

Master the Art of Driving

Diving into vehicle operation in Cyberpunk 2077 might not be as straightforward as expected. The game's driving mechanics deviate from the arcade-style handling of other games; hence, players need to adapt their driving skills to Night City. Careful handling is especially important, and a third-person viewpoint can enhance navigation, offering a broader perspective of potential obstacles.

Quick-Save: The Savior of Progress

In a game that pulls no punches like Cyberpunk 2077, a quick save can save hours of retrying challenging sections. While the instinct to forego this feature might enhance immersion, the practicality of frequently saving progress is undeniable, safeguarding against unexpected in-game downfalls.

Creative Approaches to Challenges

Cyberpunk 2077 celebrates diversity in problem-solving, offering an array of strategies to overcome obstacles. Embracing this flexibility enriches gameplay as players continually discover innovative methods to hack systems, infiltrate secured locations, and handle encounters. Maintaining this exploratory mindset ensures continuous growth and mastery of the game.

Discovery Within The Detail

The quest for iconic weaponry doesn't require exhaustive hunts across the city. In Cyberpunk 2077, such items are more out in the open, often overlooked during intense story missions. Remember to diverge from the main path every so often; doing so can uncover valuable items that enhance your arsenal, ensuring V is well-equipped for the dangers ahead.

Unlocking Night City's Narrative Nuances

Cyberpunk 2077's detailed world unfurls through its plethora of dialogue options, inviting players to unearth the city's multifaceted stories. While not every conversation advances the plot, they paint a rich portrait of Night City and its denizens. Engaging with these exchanges breathes life into V's interactions, giving players a fuller understanding of the world around them.