Cyberpunk 2077 reaches significant milestone on Steam ahead of Phantom Liberty launch

However, it's pertinent to note that at its core, Cyberpunk was never as flawed of a game as the prevailing narrative on the internet suggested. Even though it's not as bustling as expected, Night City remains bursting with character and in a class that's arguably on its own in terms of detail and depth. The intrinsic narrative and the intriguing side-storylines are a showcase of its intricate storytelling. The protagonist, V, delivers an unparalleled first-person performance, a proof of exceptional game-acting. The initial stumbling blocks were not the game's essence but the glitches and performance issues that plagued its debut.

Looking ahead, the Cyberpunk 2077 journey isn't at its climax. The forthcoming expansion, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, slated for a September 26 release, isn't a mere content addition. It's a reflection of the lessons learned, a grand project with a budget surpassing even that of The Witcher: Blood and Wine.

Expect overhauls ranging from intricate skill trees to a more intelligent police AI, aiming to further elevate Cyberpunk 2077's standing. But, that's not all. The next free Cyberpunk 2077 update will completely overhaul the game, turning it into something that's more likely to resemble what everyone envision the game was going to be all these years instead of the paltry imitation that we all got.

What could be the reason for this upswing? Is it the hard work and effort of CD Projekt RED to fix Cyberpunk 2077? Or was it the premiere of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners? Maybe it's the hype surrounding the release of the Cyberpunk 2.0 update and/or the Phantom Liberty expansion?

The truth is that it's a mix of all of these, and, at the end of the day, what matters is that Cyberpunk 2077 is finally close to peaking.

Contemplating a "what if" scenario can be intriguing. What if CD Projekt RED had postponed Cyberpunk 2077's release by a couple of years? Perhaps the gaming community would have been greeted with a product that matched its hype from day one. But then again, consider the potential uproar if the game were announced exclusively for the Xbox Series S/X and the PlayStation 5, rendering it inaccessible for older hardware users.

Ultimately, the story of Cyberpunk 2077 is an inspiring lesson in commitment and redemption. It's a testament to CD Projekt RED's tenacity, who, despite the early backlash, polished their vision to create a gem that shines brighter than ever.

Here's to hoping that CDPR has learned its lesson as it works on, not just The Witcher 4, but also the next entry in the Cyberpunk 2077 universe.