Ah, Cyberpunk 2077—the game that launched with such promise, yet stumbled out of the gate so disastrously that it prompted a class-action lawsuit. But fast forward to today, and it's being hailed as one of the best RPG experiences out there, with its recent reviews on Steam hitting the coveted "Overwhelmingly Positive" status. It's a journey worth reflecting on.
At launch, Cyberpunk 2077 was plagued by bugs and performance issues, particularly on consoles like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, where it was nearly unplayable. The backlash was swift and severe, with PlayStation even removing it from its storefront and offering refunds. But CD Projekt Red didn't give up.
The team at CDPR doubled down, issuing patches and updates to gradually improve the experience. It wasn't until the release of the Edgerunners anime, Phantom Liberty, and the game's 2.0 update that perceptions truly began to shift. And now, the game stands tall with a 95% positive recent review score on Steam.
For those who experienced the game post-fix, like myself, it's a bittersweet feeling. On one hand, we get to enjoy a stunning game that devours hours of our lives, mostly bug-free. On the other hand, it's hard not to feel a pang of regret that it took nearly three years to get there.
But Cyberpunk's redemption story is not just about the game itself; it's about the resilience of its developers and the unwavering support of its players. Pawel Sasko, the quest design lead, expressed his gratitude on Twitter, saying, "Thank you so much for the second chance chooms." Other developers echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging the continuous effort of the development team and the steadfast support of the community.
Sure, it would have been preferable if the game had launched in its best state. Even our initial review gave it a decent score, despite the onslaught of bugs. But the transformation that Cyberpunk 2077 has undergone is nothing short of remarkable. It's a testament to the dedication of the developers and a reminder that even in the face of adversity, redemption is possible.
So here's to Cyberpunk 2077, a game that started from the bottom and now finds itself basking in the glow of overwhelming positivity. It's been a rocky road, but seeing it finally get its moment in the sun is a testament to the resilience of both the game and its community.