The vast expanse of activities in Cyberpunk 2077 engrosses many players. Initially, I found myself skipping a significant amount of side content during my first playthrough due to uncertainty about what missions held real value. The game’s map, prior to Update 2.0, felt overwhelmingly cluttered, leaving me skeptical about investing extra hours into what I doubted would be an enjoyable experience. However, after immersing myself in two more playthroughs and thoroughly enjoying the game, completing every Gig, side quest, and numerous NCPD Scanner Hustles, I can confidently express my admiration for the wealth of content Cyberpunk 2077 has to offer.
Despite my appreciation for certain aspects of Cyberpunk 2077’s side content, I can’t shake the feeling that it has been inadequately integrated. There exists a frustrating disconnect between the game’s storytelling, its themes, and character development versus how players are invited to engage with the broader world of Night City. As I delve deeper into the game, this inconsistency has become increasingly irksome, leading me to believe that addressing the side quest structure will be essential for Cyberpunk 2.
The Illogical Nature of Cyberpunk 2077’s Side Quests
Questioning V’s Choices Amidst Mortality
The core narrative of Cyberpunk 2077 captivates players as V confronts their mortality, pushing boundaries in a desperate quest for a cure that looms just months away. The connections formed with a diverse cast of characters are deeply resonant, showcasing some of the finest writing in the industry. However, this compelling storyline starkly contrasts with the rationale for engaging in side content.
While the side quests are generally high-quality, they create a jarring incongruity within the overarching narrative. Given V’s precarious situation, why would they divert precious time to perform tasks for police or Fixers? The urgency of V’s plight — intensified by Jackie’s death and Silverhand’s influence — renders their involvement in side gigs absurd. As such, completing the plethora of available side missions feels like a detractor from the overall immersion of the story.
The requirement for V to undertake seemingly trivial Gigs for superficial rewards lacks a compelling rationale, especially when these tasks yield no real benefit in their search for a cure. Yet, the fear of missing out on the game’s best side quests adds pressure, making players feel obligated to engage with them, which leads to a repetitive cycle of chasing quests day and night. This experience fosters a sense of ludonarrative dissonance that detracts from the game’s overall enjoyment.
In an effort to roleplay a more logical sequence for V’s actions, I tried imagining these Gigs occurring before Silverhand’s integration. Yet, the frequent interruptions by Silverhand during even minor missions make this nearly impossible.A potential remedy would involve Fixers offering V critical information about their quest for a cure in exchange for completing these Gigs. Creating a clearer link between the side and main story elements could bolster Cyberpunk 2077’s reputation as an immersive gaming experience.
Improving Cyberpunk 2’s Narrative Cohesion
Enhancing Narrative Flow
While CD Projekt Red cannot alter the foundational narrative structure within Cyberpunk 2077, there exists an opportunity for improvement in its sequel. The developers can sidestep this narrative inconsistency, particularly by avoiding the imposition of another high-stakes scenario on players.
Eliminating side content entirely from Cyberpunk 2 is not the answer; it serves to enrich the vibrant lore of the Cyberpunk universe and its engaging factions. Side quests allow for character development, gear acquisition, and deeper immersion into the cyberware fantasy. Yet, balancing these quests with the primary narrative must be executed more thoughtfully to avoid feeling secondary.
It’s crucial to note that the quality of writing in Cyberpunk 2077’s side content is commendable; missions such as “Heroes, ””The Hunt, ”and “Sinnerman”showcase some of the studio’s finest storytelling. The key is for CD Projekt Red to intricately weave these captivating side quests into the main narrative, ensuring that players don’t feel like they are interrupting one flow to engage with another.
The Need for Integrated Side Quests in Gaming
Balancing Narrative with Freedom
Cyberpunk 2077 is not a unique case; many open-world titles mismanage the relationship between side quests and the main narrative. A longstanding challenge in open-world gaming is the conflict between catering to player freedom and advancing the central storyline. Some games, like Dragon’s Dogma 2, choose to prioritize exploration over narrative coherence, while others, such as Fallout 4, attempt to merge both, resulting in frustration for players.
Game developers must re-evaluate their approaches, abandoning the practice of forcing tightly woven narratives into freeform gameplay environments.
My introduction to this dilemma came through Fallout 4, where I felt an overwhelming urge to search for my son while simultaneously engaging in unrelated side quests. This created a disconnect that strained the overall experience, revealing more significant plot holes.Fallout 4 shares this misalignment with Cyberpunk 2077, as both games compel players into urgent main quests while simultaneously inviting them to delve into an expansive open world.
The resolution appears straightforward, not only for Cyberpunk 2 but for future open-world titles in general. Developers should cease the attempt to merge intense narratives with expansive gameplay formats. A linear structure may better suit the type of story Cyberpunk 2077 has to tell, which is why I found the main quest more engaging during runs where I avoided side content entirely.
While I appreciate Cyberpunk 2077’s ambition in creating one of gaming’s most intricate urban landscapes, this choice may have hindered the overall narrative experience. Recognizing the narrative needs of the story being told is essential to delivering it with impact. CD Projekt Red likely understands this, and if Cyberpunk 2 embraces another open-world format, they must learn from past oversights.
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