Cyberpunk 2077’s 2.0 replace modified a lot in regards to the recreation, it’d in all probability be faster to listing issues it did not contact than the programs it tweaked or wholesale refinished. However essentially the most impactful, I believe, is the ability tree revamp, which adjustments the way you construct V and what you are able to. I solely performed about two hours of Cyberpunk in 2020, so once I actually sunk my tooth into 2.0 I used to be shocked to look again at how the bushes have been designed earlier than. There have been nonetheless cool abilities there, however with out the extra apparent construct paths and synergies in 2.0. I requested CD Projekt Crimson how that change happened.
“After we mentioned what enhancements we wished concerning perks in replace 2.0, the workforce investigated development programs of assorted video games, together with Dying Mild, Borderlands, and even Dota 2,” gameplay design lead Karol Matyasik stated in an interview with PC Gamer. These are in style video games, and I can see why Dying Mild and Borderlands 2, particularly, can be helpful reference factors for Cyberpunk 2.0. However what Matyasik stated subsequent actually is smart if you have a look at how CD Projekt modified issues up.
“With regards to the construction of two.0 perks, I believe the old-fashioned design of Diablo 2 ability bushes, with their clear paths and progressively extra highly effective (and enjoyable!) skills, is what we frequently referred to in our discussions.”
The two.0 bushes are full of significant selections, and tons of latest skills that encourage experimentation and specialization—climbing a pair bushes to the highest can actually make you’re feeling like an elite hacker or enhanced-to-the-gills militech cyberpsycho. I significantly like how some strikes that may actually change your playstyle are seemingly minor offshoots of main nodes—I beelined for the monowire finisher within the Intelligence tree, for instance, as a result of I wished to slice ‘n’ cube. A lot of the perks on that tree are devoted to hacking, however tying within the monowire actually match how I wished to think about my V.
“For particular person perks, we at all times strived for the flexibility to role-play a sure character by way of skills by on the lookout for actions and defining who a ‘robust solo’ or ‘cyberninja’ is, for instance,” Matyasik stated. “For a lot of fight skills, Doom video games have been amongst my private supply of inspiration, because of their high-speed, relentless, visceral, push-forward fight.”
Even the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners anime served as a direct supply of inspiration for the revamped ability bushes. That is fairly apparent for those who pay any consideration to the perk icons—one of many first perks on the Physique tree is shotgun-toting Rebecca from Edgerunners. However I am charmed by the references going deeper than simply visible easter eggs—the highest of the Technical Means tree, for instance, is now “Edgerunner,” a ability that allows you to overload your self with cyberware and enter a fury state, similar to the anime’s protagonist. A very good ability tree provides you cool skills to play with and selections to make every step of the best way—an excellent one does that whereas additionally making you’re feeling such as you’re bringing some type of fantasy to life, and I believe Cyberpunk’s 2.0 replace lastly received it there.
