Cyberpunk 2077 Foregoes New Game Plus Mode to Preserve Its Unique Design

by Frank McDougall
in Adventure, News, Playstation, Release
on 6 June 2024

Cyberpunk 2077, the highly acclaimed role-playing game from CD Projekt, has never implemented a New Game Plus mode like its predecessor, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. According to Paweł Sasko, the quest director for Cyberpunk 2077, the decision was made to preserve the game’s unique construction.

Sasko explained that the challenges of integrating a New Game Plus mode into Cyberpunk 2077 without disrupting its core mechanics were immense. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that all components of the game work together seamlessly. Sasko pointed to Bethesda’s Starfield as an example of a game that successfully incorporated a New Game Plus system by tying it into the overall story and offering a logical explanation for the world resetting.

Interestingly, Sasko did not address the possibility of a more traditional New Game Plus mode, where players would restart the story while retaining their abilities and experience. In The Witcher 3, this approach allowed players to relive the game with added extras, even though it had no story connection or explanation for the reset.

Sasko acknowledged that Cyberpunk 2077 was designed to be replayed, with different life paths, romances, and character builds offering varied experiences. This suggests that a New Game Plus mode could have been a suitable addition.

However, fans hoping for a New Game Plus mode in Cyberpunk 2077 should not hold their breath. CD Projekt has announced that there is no longer a dedicated team working on the game, as employees have shifted their focus to the sequel and the next Witcher game. Nevertheless, the studio has confirmed that Cyberpunk 2077 will receive the long-promised FidelityFX Super Resolution 3 (FSR3) support in the future.

Despite the absence of a New Game Plus mode, Cyberpunk 2077 continues to captivate players with its immersive cityscape and unparalleled freedom of choice. The game’s updates, including the game-changing Update 2.0, have brought significant improvements to its mechanics and features. While the game may not have a New Game Plus mode, its replayability and expansive gameplay ensure that players can always find new adventures in Night City.

Additional facts:
– Cyberpunk 2077 was released on December 10, 2020.
– The game takes place in Night City, a dystopian open-world metropolis.
– CD Projekt Red, the developer of the game, faced controversy for the game’s numerous bugs and performance issues on last-gen consoles.
– The game features a branching narrative with multiple endings based on player choices.
– Cyberpunk 2077 boasts a wide array of customizable character options, including cyberware enhancements and skill upgrades.
– The game received mixed reviews upon release, with praise for its world-building and storytelling, but criticism for technical problems and missing features.
– CD Projekt Red has released several patches and updates to address the issues faced by players.

Key questions and answers:
1. Why did CD Projekt Red decide not to include a New Game Plus mode in Cyberpunk 2077?
Answer: CD Projekt Red wanted to preserve the game’s unique design and ensure that all components work seamlessly together. Implementing a New Game Plus mode without disrupting the core mechanics was deemed challenging.

2. Is there any possibility of a traditional New Game Plus mode being introduced in the future?
Answer: The quest director, Paweł Sasko, did not address the possibility of a traditional New Game Plus mode in Cyberpunk 2077. However, the absence of a dedicated team working on the game makes it unlikely for such a mode to be added.

Key challenges and controversies:
1. Technical issues and performance: Cyberpunk 2077 faced significant backlash due to its poor performance and bugs, especially on older generation consoles. This led to Sony temporarily removing the game from the PlayStation Store and CD Projekt Red offering refunds to dissatisfied players.

2. Missing features and broken promises: The game was criticized for the absence of certain features that were showcased in promotional materials and the developer’s previous statements. This raised concerns about the game’s development process and the accuracy of pre-release information.

Advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages:
– Immersive cityscape and unparalleled freedom of choice
– Varied life paths, romances, and character builds offer replayability
– Significant improvements to mechanics and features through updates
– Expansive gameplay with plenty of adventures to discover in Night City

Disadvantages:
– Absence of a New Game Plus mode
– Initial technical issues and performance problems
– Controversy surrounding missing features and broken promises

The source of the article is from the blog krama.net