V is running out of time. That’s the premise of Cyberpunk 2077: a stolen chip is slowly rewriting their mind. The only way out of this particular predicament ushers V through a cast of fixers, rock stars, and corporate killers who all want something from you. And yet, despite those bewildering stakes, there’s a decent chance you spent most of your time in the game clearing gigs, scanning NCPD crime scenes, and wandering Night City’s neon alleys. Then the credits rolled and, within moments, you were back at the character creator.
You’re in good company: Cyberpunk 2077 draws you into that second (or third, or fourth) replay, no matter how many hours you already have in the game. While there’s new content to peruse, such as the brand-new Edgerunners 2 Update, which adds a perk that lets V dual-wield, there are plenty more self-guided replay strats that make this familiar game feel fresh. Here are eight rules to make Night City feel like a place you’ve never been.
8
Be a dual-revolver cowboy
Gig terms: Start as a Nomad, build around revolvers, and look the part.
Nomads are Night City’s outsiders — clans of drifters who live in the Badlands, beyond city limits. If you choose to be among them by selecting a Nomad origin for V, you’ll join the Aldecaldos, the clan that includes Panam Palmer, a hotheaded driver who can become your closest ally. That’s a fabulous setup for roleplaying as an old-fashioned cowboy who’s all about family. Lean into this by donning torn jeans and a hat, ride your bike everywhere, and build V around handguns (especially revolvers). Do so, and you can take advantage of a new trick: The Edgerunners 2 Update’s Double Trouble perk in the Cool tree lets V dual-wield pistols and revolvers from the Power category. If you’re on an older build, a single iron will still do. Just keep the roleplay consistent: Never leave the bike at home, treat every NPC like a neighbor, and let the revolvers do the talking.
7
Clear Watson before the heist
Gig terms: Don’t go to Konpeki Plaza until you’ve finished everything in Watson. Everything.
How long can you put off the biggest job of your life? In Cyberpunk 2077’s opening act, V and their partner Jackie take a job from the fixer Dex. It’s a heist at Konpeki Plaza that sets the rest of the game’s narrative in motion — but there’s nothing actually forcing you to start it. Some players won’t touch it until Watson is cleared, which involves tackling a stretch of gigs, cyberpsycho hunts, NCPD scanner hustles, and side jobs that can put you around level 20 before the heist.
One approach is to treat it as a shopping spree: Level up enough to get Mantis Blades or Gorilla Arms and double-jump legs, then talk to Jackie about Dex’s gig, so V walks into Konpeki Plaza with a signature loadout. Another is to play it as a character beat: This V is too savvy to take the biggest job of their life without a few favors in the bank, so they invest in gigs and scanner hustles as insurance, first. Or you could spend time chasing Street Cred, the reputation meter that unlocks better vendor gear and later gigs. Regardless, by the time you head into Konpeki Plaza, you’ll be overleveled, overequipped, and extremely prepared for the job that changes everything.
6
Do…less
Gig terms: Pick one lifepath, a couple of characters, and one fixer. Ignore everything else.
Completionism is fun, but taking a different tack on a replay can let you focus more deeply on a specific storyline or build. For example, you might decide to prioritize getting Johnny Silverhand, the rockstar whose digital ghost rides along in V’s head, out of their life. That means pursuing that priority at the expense of anything else (you know, like you probably would if you really had Keanu Reeves stuck in your head). That could mean never meeting Goro, the former Arasaka bodyguard, or Panam, Rogue, or Claire, and sticking to Judy among the supporting cast. Looking for other targeted run ideas? Try being a Valentinos loyalist who never leaves Heywood, a Voodoo Boys netrunner who never leaves Pacifica, or a Mox-only run that never leaves Judy’s side. Everyone you skip will still be waiting at the Afterlife on your next run.
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