In a dramatic turnaround few saw coming, CD Projekt Red has officially declared that Cyberpunk 2077’s overhaul is complete, following years of updates, system reworks, and the critically acclaimed Phantom Liberty expansion. Once known for one of the most controversial launches in gaming history, Cyberpunk 2077 is now being praised as one of the most immersive open-world RPG experiences available today.

For many players, the question is no longer “Is Cyberpunk fixed?”
It’s now “Is Cyberpunk 2077 one of the best open-world games ever made?”

To understand its evolution — and how it compares to industry giants like Grand Theft Auto V — we need to explore what Cyberpunk 2077 has become, what’s new, and how it stands apart in the open-world genre.

Welcome to Night City

Developed by CD Projekt Red, Cyberpunk 2077 is set in Night City — a dystopian мегacity obsessed with power, technology, cybernetic enhancements, and corporate dominance.

You play as V, a mercenary navigating gang politics, corporate conspiracies, and the digital ghost of rockstar terrorist Johnny Silverhand (played by Keanu Reeves). Unlike GTA’s grounded crime satire, Cyberpunk dives deep into science fiction, body modification, and philosophical questions about identity and humanity.

From Rocky Launch to Major Comeback

When Cyberpunk 2077 launched in December 2020, technical issues overshadowed its ambition. Performance problems, bugs, and missing features led to refunds and temporary removal from digital storefronts.

However, CD Projekt Red didn’t abandon the project.

Through multiple large-scale updates — culminating in the 2.0 overhaul and Phantom Liberty expansion — the game underwent a transformation:

• Reworked police system

• Improved AI behavior

• Redesigned skill trees

• Vehicle combat additions

• Enhanced performance and visuals

Today, Cyberpunk feels closer to its original vision than ever before.

What’s New in Cyberpunk 2077 (Post 2.0 & Phantom Liberty)

1. Complete Skill Tree Overhaul

The 2.0 update redesigned progression entirely. Instead of minor percentage boosts, skills now unlock:

• New combat mechanics

• Advanced hacking abilities

• Cyberware-focused builds

• Mobility enhancements like air dashes

This makes character builds feel meaningful and playstyles dramatically different.

2. Police & Wanted System Rework

Originally criticized for simplistic law enforcement, the police system now features:

• Scalable wanted levels

• Tactical responses

• Vehicle pursuits

• Stronger AI coordination

While still distinct from GTA’s system, Night City’s law enforcement now reacts dynamically to crime.

3. Phantom Liberty Expansion

The Phantom Liberty expansion introduced:

• A new district called Dogtown

• A spy-thriller narrative

• New characters, including Solomon Reed (played by Idris Elba)

• Expanded endings and player choices

The expansion deepened Cyberpunk’s storytelling and elevated its RPG complexity.

4. Enhanced Cyberware & Combat

Combat is now faster and more dynamic, with:

• Vehicle-mounted weapons

• Advanced hacking quickhacks

• Sandevistan time-slow builds

• Improved gunplay mechanics

The synergy between cyberware and combat makes encounters highly customizable.

Cyberpunk 2077 vs GTA 5: Open World Giants Compared

Although both are open-world games, their design philosophies are fundamentally different.

1. Setting & Tone

GTA 5

• Modern-day Los Santos

• Satirical take on American culture

• Grounded crime narrative

Cyberpunk 2077

• Futuristic Night City

• Cyberpunk dystopia

• Philosophical sci-fi themes

GTA 5 focuses on crime realism with humor, while Cyberpunk explores technology’s impact on humanity.

2. Gameplay Structure

GTA 5

• Action-adventure

• Three playable protagonists

• Mission-based progression

• Emphasis on sandbox chaos

Cyberpunk 2077

• First-person RPG

• Deep character customization

• Dialogue choices impact story

• Skill-based build diversity

Cyberpunk offers more RPG depth, while GTA emphasizes accessibility and freedom.

3. World Interactivity

GTA 5

• Highly interactive open world

• Robust physics system

• Dynamic pedestrian reactions

• Fully integrated online mode

Cyberpunk 2077

• Dense vertical city design

• Strong narrative integration

• Improved but more focused sandbox elements

GTA 5 excels in emergent chaos. Cyberpunk excels in immersive storytelling.

4. Multiplayer Factor

GTA 5

• GTA Online became a global phenomenon

• Heists, businesses, roleplay servers

• Constant updates for over a decade

Cyberpunk 2077

• Single-player focused

• No multiplayer component

This is a major difference. GTA 5’s longevity was driven largely by its online mode, while Cyberpunk stands as a narrative-driven solo experience.

Graphics & Immersion

Cyberpunk 2077, especially on next-gen hardware, features:

• Ray-traced lighting

• Neon reflections

• High-density crowds

• Detailed interior spaces

Night City feels dense, layered, and vertical — unlike GTA’s more horizontally spread map design.

However, GTA 5 still maintains strong environmental realism and physics interactions that remain impressive years after launch.

What Makes Cyberpunk Unique?

1. Cyberware as Identity
   Your body becomes your weapon. Enhancements define your playstyle.

2. Choice-Driven Narrative
   Dialogue and decisions influence outcomes.

3. Atmospheric Worldbuilding
   Night City isn’t just a map — it’s a character.

4. Mature Themes
   Explores capitalism, mortality, AI consciousness, and digital immortality.

While GTA critiques society through satire, Cyberpunk dissects it through dystopian realism.

The Redemption Story

Few games have experienced a redemption arc as dramatic as Cyberpunk 2077.

At launch, it symbolized overhype and technical failure. Today, it represents:

• Developer persistence

• Community feedback integration

• The power of long-term support

CD Projekt Red’s commitment transformed public perception entirely.

Final Verdict: Two Different Titans

Comparing Cyberpunk 2077 to GTA 5 isn’t about declaring a winner.

They serve different audiences.

• GTA 5 is a sandbox playground with endless chaos and multiplayer longevity.

• Cyberpunk 2077 is a story-driven RPG immersed in philosophical sci-fi and character progression depth.

With its major updates and expansion, Cyberpunk now stands confidently among the best modern RPGs — no longer defined by its launch controversy.

As open-world gaming continues evolving, both titles represent milestones:

GTA 5 showed how long a live-service sandbox could dominate.
Cyberpunk 2077 proved that even the roughest launch can evolve into greatness.

And in Night City, under neon lights and towering megabuildings, redemption has never looked so electric.