Initial Reception and Challenges
Upon its release in December 2020, Cyberpunk 2077 garnered praise for its narrative, detailed setting, and advanced graphics. However, the game also faced significant criticism, particularly regarding its gameplay elements, which received mixed responses. Themes and the portrayal of transgender characters also drew some criticism. A major point of contention was the widespread presence of bugs and glitches, especially on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions at launch.
The severity of these technical issues led to notable consequences. Sony removed Cyberpunk 2077 from the PlayStation Store from December 2020 until June 2021 as CD Projekt Red worked to address the problems. The developer also faced investigations and class-action lawsuits concerning perceived attempts to downplay the extent of these technical issues before the game’s release. These legal challenges were eventually resolved with a settlement of US$1.85 million.
Resurgence and Critical Reappraisal
Despite its challenging launch, Cyberpunk 2077 has experienced a significant turnaround in its public and critical perception. This reappraisal has been driven by continuous improvements and updates from CD Projekt Red. Key factors in this resurgence include the release of the Phantom Liberty DLC expansion and the tie-in anime series, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, which debuted in 2022.
More recently, the game’s popularity saw a substantial spike following the release of Update 2.0 and the Phantom Liberty expansion in September 2023. Update 2.0 introduced a complete overhaul of the base game, incorporating new features such as a revised perk system and enhanced AI. The Phantom Liberty expansion itself received strong critical acclaim, with IGN giving it a 9/10 review, noting that it “completes an immense turnaround.”
Sales and Player Engagement
Cyberpunk 2077 has achieved considerable commercial success, selling over 40 million copies by July 2026, making it one of the best-selling video games globally. The total cost for its development and marketing, including updates and DLC, is estimated to be between $436 million and $440 million, positioning it among the most expensive video games ever developed. A sequel to the game was announced in October 2022 and is currently in development.
The game’s popularity is also evident in its player engagement metrics. Data from Steam DB shows a significant increase in concurrent players following Update 2.0 and the Phantom Liberty launch. For instance, on September 20, 2023, only 18,024 users were playing at noon Pacific Time. This number surged to 90,241 just one day later, on September 21. By September 25, the game recorded a 24-hour peak of 169,711 concurrent players. The day Phantom Liberty launched, it notched nearly 250,000 concurrent players on Steam, marking its highest player count since its initial release in December 2020. This spike propelled Cyberpunk 2077 to eighth place on Steam’s most played games list, surpassing titles like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Rust.
YouGov tracks the fame and popularity of Cyberpunk 2077 among US adults. Fame is determined by whether individuals have heard of the game, while popularity is based on responses to options like “Really like,” “Like,” “Don’t like,” and “Really don’t like.”
FAQ
What is Cyberpunk 2077? Cyberpunk 2077 is a 2020 action role-playing game developed by CD Projekt Red and published by CD Projekt. It is set in Night City, California, within the dystopian Cyberpunk universe.
Who is the main character in Cyberpunk 2077? The player assumes the role of V, a mercenary who can be customized in terms of voice, face, hairstyle, body type, modifications, background, and clothing.
What is the plot of Cyberpunk 2077? The plot involves V being reluctantly imbued with a cybernetic “biochip” containing an engram of legendary rockstar Johnny Silverhand. V and Johnny must work together to separate from each other and save V’s life, while being pursued by the Arasaka Corporation.
When was Cyberpunk 2077 released? The game was initially released for PlayStation 4, Stadia, Windows, and Xbox One on December 10, 2020. It later came to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in February 2022, Nintendo Switch 2 in June 2025, and macOS in July 2025.
What is Phantom Liberty? Phantom Liberty is a DLC expansion for Cyberpunk 2077, released for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S in September 2023. It was also paired with the Nintendo Switch 2 and macOS releases.
How many copies has Cyberpunk 2077 sold? As of July 2026, Cyberpunk 2077 had sold over 40 million copies.
What is the REDengine 4? REDengine 4 is the game engine used by CD Projekt Red to develop Cyberpunk 2077.
Is there a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 planned? Yes, a sequel was announced in October 2022 and is currently in development.