Cyberpunk 2077's evolution is still ongoing despite some prior statements to the contrary from developer CD Projekt Red. With it approaching five years since its well-known rocky initial launch, Cyberpunk 2077 has since climbed its way back to the preem of the crop. On the back of subsequent updates and patches that filled in some glaring gaps and smoothed over other bumpy spots (mostly in the performance and optimizing feature areas), plus the heralded Phantom Liberty DLC, Cyberpunk has since attained a status worthy of a Night City legend.
Previously, CD Projekt Red had said that it was winding down support for Cyberpunk 2077. This wasn't exactly unexpected, given that the studio was beginning to ramp up production on projects for its other flagship IP, The Witcher, around the same time. What was surprising, however, was CDPR then announcing just this June that a new patch, 2.3, would be coming to Cyberpunk 2077. Fan speculation naturally picked up about what it would entail. Now that the details are known, though, and while it will bring some excellent new content, there remains one major feature that isn't part of the patch but is one that has long been asked for.
There have also been persistent rumors of a second Cyberpunk 2077 DLC; CDPR has not officially commented on this so far.
Cyberpunk 2077 Patch Tier List
As Cyberpunk 2077's Patch 2.3 looms around the corner, this tier list ranks all major patches, from game-changing to those meant to put out fires.
Cyberpunk 2077's 2.3 Update Still Hasn't Added New Game Plus
Cyberpunk 2077's 2.3 Patch Adds a Plethora of Cool Features With an Asterisk Attached
After being slightly delayed shortly after its announcement, Cyberpunk 2077's 2.3 update will go live on July 17. In advance, developers hosted a stream to highlight and break down all the new goodies and additions in it. Among other items, the 2.3. Patch will introduce elements like:
- Side jobs tied to unlocking a collection of new vehicles for V across all makes and models
- An auto-driving/city tour option
- Expanded photo mode that will let players add a variety of weather effects and choose from specific NPCs to include in shots, along with options to adjust their placement and expressions
- Ability to switch between all of V's saved wardrobes in photo mode
These are undoubtedly welcome, and give fans some exciting new toys to play with and ways to show off their creativity within Cyberpunk 2077's vibrant world. But the one that may be most requested–New Game Plus–is still MIA.
Cyberpunk 2077 Needs New Game Plus Now More Than Ever
Given the great effort that CD Projekt Red has put into improving and streamlining it since 2020, the fact that Cyberpunk 2077 still lacks the NG+ option sticks out like a sore thumb. Especially so given the length and scope of the game, with fans being able to pour dozens upon dozens of hours into it. New Game Plus would go a long way to bolstering Cyberpunk's popularity and replayability even further, and it not being part of 2.3 is more than a little disappointing.
On top of that, after receiving a Nintendo Switch 2 version in June, Cyberpunk 2077 will also now be available on macOS, making it readily accessible across pretty much every major platform. Combined with the 2.3 update, fans thus have more reasons than ever to either play it for the first time or return after an extended break. But without the option for NG+, it seems like a big missed opportunity, diminishing the appeal somewhat and dashing the hope that 2.3 would finally be when New Game Plus was added. It could be that CDPR is keeping this in its back pocket for another surprise update and, hopefully, it will eventually be the case. But for now, it's far less than nova that 2.3 won't be giving fans this highly desired feature.
Cyberpunk 2077
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 76 /100 Critics Rec: 66%
- Released
- December 10, 2020
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- CD Projekt Red
- Publisher(s)
- CD Projekt Red
