Folks at CD Projekt Red continue to excite fans with news after news on Cyberpunk 2077, an upcoming cyberpunk RPG based on the Cyberpunk TTRPG. Moreover, thanks to the depth of mechanics involved in Cyberpunk, it's no question Cyberpunk 2077 will have some of the TTRPG's mechanics in its gameplay. Additionally, this factor means players will likely encounter the same set of basic rules and concepts. As such, these concepts include classes, the same depth in abilities, and potentially the same narrative depth of the setting.
However, given the depth of the Cyberpunk TTRPG, what features will make it to the game? And of the features left untouched in the game, which ones should be added?
10 Confirmed: Classes, Sort Of
Protagonist V in Cyberpunk 2077 not only gets access to three Life Paths or backgrounds but also a starting class. However, unlike the more class-oriented TTRPG, Cyberpunk 2077 offers class fluidity. Instead of the original nine classes (or roles) from the TTRPG, Cyberpunk 2077 introduces three "core" classes: Solo, Netrunner, and Techie. However, players are free to expand these roles depending on their preferred specializations.
For instance, the Solo specializes in combat and skirmishes, thanks to their enhanced senses and abilities. Meanwhile, Netrunners specialize in hacking and tinkering with cyberdecks to steal information and manipulate the digital space. Lastly, the Techie specializes in tinkering with various tools and gadgets to use to their advantage.
9 Add Please: More Punks
Having only three base classes seems a bit underwhelming considering the TTRPG actually has more options. For instance, Johnny Silverhand is a Rockerboy. In the TTRPG, they're able to inspire and lead others against authority.
Other classes interact better with certain demographics in Night City. For example, Corporates and Cops have better connections with the higher-ups and rich folks in the city. Meanwhile, MedTechs heal others and Medias investigate and report on the news.
Additionally, Fixers "make things happen" with their persuasion skills. And lastly, Nomads are well-versed in survival and making do. CD Projekt Red will hopefully include these class options in potential expansions. Moreover, these classes' specializations give the game great replayable potential.
8 Confirmed: Life Paths
Life in Night City isn't easy, regardless of a person's walk of life. In Cyberpunk 2077, players get to choose a Life Path for V, which establishes a premise and a background for their introduction to the game's setting.
For instance, the StreetKid Life Path introduces V as someone returning to their hometown of Night City after years of staying in Atlanta. Meanwhile, the Corpo-Rat puts V as a mid-tier corporate in Night City who wants to acquire a more secure post. Lastly, the Nomad puts V as someone looking at Night City as a place where dreams come true.
7 Add Please: Deeper Backgrounds
However, eagle-eyed fans might notice that the Life Path choice seems to be a "simplified" version of the prototype shown in the 2018 gameplay reveal. In that particular event, viewers could see the Life Path option as a "Background Check," with players able to choose V's Childhood Hero, Key Life Event, and reason to visit Night City.
In the TTRPG, players have a depth of options for their Life Path. Aside from their appearance and basic background, Life Path choices include parentage, hopes, and aspirations, or even potential enemies. When fleshed out, all of these can provide easy sources of scenarios that can be tackled in-game.
6 Confirmed: Skills, Perks
Thanks to the fluid nature of the class system, V can specialize in a myriad of things depending on the player's point allocation and perk choice. In Cyberpunk 2077, V has a basic set of attributes that determine their natural traits. Inside these attributes are certain skills. Moreover, perks provide much-needed upgrades and flavor to add a specialized spin to whatever skill that perk fits into.
For instance, the Body Attribute is connected to the Melee skill. Moreover, they can put a Perk called Dragon Strike into their Melee skill, enabling them to deal 15% bonus damage for strong attacks with melee weapons.
5 Add Please: Non-Combat Skills
More observant players might notice that a majority of the skills featured in Cyberpunk 2077 have something to do with fighting. For instance, certain attributes connect with certain weapons. While this in itself is awesome, CD Projekt Red should consider adding more non-combat skills in V's arsenal. That way, players can find more creative ways to deal with problems and solve solutions without necessarily having to shoot bosses or sneak.
For instance, in the TTRPG, players have access to seven sets of skills, each connected to an Attribute. However, only those under the Reflex Attribute are considered combat skills, as the rest deal with Netrunning, conversations, and observation.
4 Confirmed: Weapons, Cyberware, & Cyberdecks
As an FPS, Cyberpunk 2077 fans likely look forward to the sheer awesomeness of combat in the game. Aside from the futuristic weapons, fans are able to use special perks and even cybernetic augmentations to grant them advantages in combat.
Aside from the versatility of combat, there are also Netrunning and cyberdecks. Players are capable of hacking into various interfaces and even on enemies to ruin their defenses with viruses or daemons. Thanks to having these options, players can always approach combat in different ways.
3 Add Please: Stun/Shock Saves
Combat in Cyberpunk 2077 is fast and deadly. Thanks to cybernetics and weapon upgrades, players can easily tip the scales to their favor regardless of the situation. However, perhaps one element devs can add from the TTRPG would be an active Stun/Shock Save mechanic.
In the TTRPPG, getting hit by an attack will always trigger Stun/Shock Saves to determine the body's response to the immediate force that hit them. For instance, failing that save will stun the player for a set duration. Having these saves might be inconvenient at first, but they do convey the message that players need to be careful as their weapons now are much more power than before.
2 Confirmed: Full Corporate Profiles
Fans of the TTRPG will be delighted to know that a lot of prominent companies from the original Cyberpunk 2020 game have made it to Cyberpunk 2077. As such, players will be able to see the differences between companies such as Arasaka and how they interact with the many people that live in Night City.
However, players should also take this opportunity to familiarize themselves with the appearances and mannerisms of members of these companies. After all, one of them might be their next target.
1 Add Please: Full-Blown Netrunning
In Cyberpunk 2077, players see Netrunning as a means to infiltrate enemy networks or even disrupt an enemy's weapon or movement. Moreover, the Braindance mechanic allows players to "see" events from the perspective of NPCs. However, CD Projekt Red should probably include the full iteration of Netrunning mechanics from the TTRPG.
In the TTRPG, Netrunning is much more intense – it is an entirely different event that can happen even during battles. Through Netrunning, players can disrupt entire companies, put in malicious programs, or even perform multi-layered heists.