Is Cyberpunk 2077 Worth Playing in 2025?

When Cyberpunk 2077 launched in December 2020, it quickly became one of the most infamous releases in gaming history. Years of hype had built expectations sky high, but the final product was plagued by bugs, poor performance on older consoles, and design elements that felt unfinished. The backlash was swift and intense, and many players abandoned Night City before ever seeing its potential.

Fast forward to today, and the story is very different. Through multiple patches, a complete overhaul with the 2.0 update, and the release of the Phantom Liberty expansion in 2023, Cyberpunk 2077 has transformed into a game that finally delivers on much of its promise. The question now in 2025 is whether it is still worth your time. The short answer is yes, but with some caveats depending on your expectations and platform of choice.

The Definitive Version of the Game

By 2025, Cyberpunk 2077 has reached what most players consider its final and definitive form. CD Projekt Red is now focused on future projects, which means that the game is no longer receiving major updates, but it has been left in a stable and complete state. The 2.0 update fundamentally changed how the game plays, turning it into something much closer to the vision first advertised.

• Skills and Progression: Instead of generic passive perks, skill trees now encourage active play. Unlocking new perks often requires performing related actions, such as completing stealth takedowns to strengthen stealth skills. This makes leveling feel more purposeful and aligned with your style.
• Cyberware: Implants and augmentations are at the heart of the game. By 2025, cyberware has become the most flexible part of character customization, with clear build paths that support stealth specialists, hackers, or combat-focused bruisers.
• Combat and Police AI: Enemies are far smarter than they were at launch. Gunplay feels responsive and rewarding, and melee combat is more viable. Police systems, once widely criticized, now work logically and escalate challenges as you cause more chaos in Night City.
• Vehicle Combat: A long-requested feature, driving and fighting are now integrated. You can fire from vehicles, equip mounted weapons, and engage in car chases that feel cinematic and exciting.

All of these changes combined make Cyberpunk 2077 in 2025 a completely different experience from what players encountered five years ago.

Phantom Liberty: A Game-Changing Expansion

The Phantom Liberty expansion, released in 2023, is a major reason why Cyberpunk 2077 remains worth playing in 2025. Instead of feeling like a minor side story, Phantom Liberty functions like a second campaign. It adds Dogtown, a militarized district of Night City filled with danger, political intrigue, and espionage.

The story casts you in a high-stakes spy thriller, with Solomon Reed, played by Idris Elba, serving as one of the most memorable new characters. Choices in Phantom Liberty not only shape the outcome of its own plot but also unlock new endings for the base game. This makes it one of the rare expansions that truly alters the overall narrative.

The content is substantial as well. Depending on how thoroughly you play, Phantom Liberty adds 15 to 30 hours of quests, new weapons, cyberware, and vehicles. Dogtown is densely packed with activities, and it has a distinct atmosphere that sets it apart from the rest of Night City. For many players, Phantom Liberty is the best part of Cyberpunk 2077, and by 2025 it is typically bundled with the base game or heavily discounted.

How It Plays in 2025

Performance was the biggest issue in 2020, especially on consoles. In 2025, the experience is dramatically improved, although where you play still matters.

• PC: This remains the best way to play. With modern hardware, Night City looks stunning. Features like ray tracing and DLSS push visuals further, while mods from the community extend replay value with new gear, systems, and quality-of-life improvements.
• Current Generation Consoles (PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S): The game runs smoothly and consistently. Load times are quick, visuals are strong, and crashes are rare. This is the best option for console players.
• Last Generation Consoles (PlayStation 4 and Xbox One): Official support has ended, and while it is technically playable, these versions are not recommended. Visual downgrades and inconsistent performance mean they cannot compare to PC or current-generation systems.

If you want to experience Cyberpunk 2077 at its best in 2025, you should play on PC or a current-generation console.

Strengths That Still Shine

Cyberpunk 2077 always had strong foundations, and with its improvements, its strengths are finally front and center.

• Storytelling and Characters: The narrative remains gripping, with standout performances from Keanu Reeves as Johnny Silverhand and memorable companions like Judy Alvarez, Panam Palmer, and River Ward. Choices throughout the story lead to multiple endings, encouraging replay.
• Night City Itself: Few open worlds look as distinctive as Night City. Its neon skyline, crowded streets, and dark underbelly create an atmosphere unlike any other RPG. Even years later, the city feels alive and immersive.
• Role-Playing Freedom: Build variety is stronger than ever. Whether you prefer hacking, stealth, or all-out combat, you can tailor V to your vision.
• Phantom Liberty Content: The expansion keeps the game fresh and adds long-term value.

Weaknesses That Remain

No game is perfect, and even in 2025, Cyberpunk 2077 still has shortcomings.

• Open World Activities: While Night City looks alive, not every activity feels deep. Some side gigs and street encounters can be repetitive.
• Driving Systems: Vehicle handling and racing have improved but remain less polished than in dedicated open world driving games.
• NPC Depth: While companions are fleshed out, general NPCs in the city can still feel shallow compared to newer RPGs released since 2023.
• Aging Technology: Even with updates, the game shows its age compared to the latest open world titles. Lighting, AI, and city density are strong but no longer industry-leading.

Time Commitment and Value

Cyberpunk 2077 offers excellent value in 2025, particularly because it is often available in bundles or at discounted prices.

• Main Story: Around 25 to 40 hours depending on your playstyle.
• Phantom Liberty: Adds another 15 to 30 hours.
• Side Content and Exploration: Easily adds 20 to 30 hours more.

A single playthrough can last 60 to 80 hours, and trying different builds or aiming for alternate endings can extend that further. In terms of entertainment value per dollar, Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the better RPG deals available today.

Final Thoughts

So, is Cyberpunk 2077 worth playing in 2025? The answer is yes. The game has finally matured into the RPG it was meant to be, with a stable foundation, deep customization, and a compelling story enriched by Phantom Liberty. If you skipped the game at launch because of the backlash, now is the best time to try it.

That being said, you should set your expectations. Cyberpunk 2077 is not perfect, and some of its systems show their age compared to the newest open world games. NPC depth, driving, and filler activities remain weak spots. But the overall experience – the characters, the world, and the branching story – still make it stand out in 2025.

For players who value narrative-driven RPGs with freedom of choice, immersive settings, and a mix of action and role-playing, Cyberpunk 2077 is still one of the most rewarding open world experiences you can play. Night City may have stumbled at launch, but five years later, it has earned its place as a game worth your time.