Cyberpunk 2077 in 2026: Is It Finally Worth Playing?

The comeback story of the decade

When Cyberpunk 2077 launched in December 2020, it was one of gaming's most catastrophic releases. Broken on last-gen consoles, riddled with bugs, and stripped of promised features, CD Projekt Red faced lawsuits, refunds, and years of damage control.

Fast-forward to 2026: Cyberpunk 2077 is now considered one of the best RPGs of the decade. Here's what changed, and whether the game deserves your attention today.

What CD Projekt Red fixed

Over five years of updates, the studio addressed nearly every criticism:

Performance overhaul

• Ray tracing overhaul with path tracing on high-end PCs
• 60 FPS on PS5/Xbox Series X in Performance mode
• Reduced pop-in and streaming issues across the entire map
• Improved AI behavior for pedestrians and enemies

Content additions

• Phantom Liberty expansion — a full spy-thriller side story starring Idris Elba
• Free 2.0 update — completely rebuilt skill trees, cyberware, and police systems
• Redesigned vehicle combat — high-speed chases with proper mechanics
• Metro system — a fully functional public transportation system

Systemic improvements

• Rebalanced economy — items and eddies (currency) feel meaningful
• Better loot system — quality over quantity
• Improved main story pacing — cinematic quality throughout

What still isn't perfect

Cyberpunk 2077 in 2026 isn't flawless. A few criticisms remain:

• NPC AI in open world — still less reactive than immersive sim standards
• Wanted system — improved but not GTA-level
• Character customization limits — clothing transmog exists but is menu-heavy

However, these are minor issues in what is now a genuinely excellent RPG experience.

The Phantom Liberty expansion

If you play Cyberpunk 2077 today, do not skip Phantom Liberty. This 25-30 hour expansion features:

• Idris Elba as Solomon Reed, a legendary FIA agent
• A brand-new district (Dogtown) with its own atmosphere
• A branching storyline with genuinely difficult moral choices
• Some of the best missions Cyberpunk has to offer

It's arguably better-designed than the base game's main story.

Should new players start now?

Yes — with a few caveats.

Ideal experience:

• PC (mid-to-high-end) with ray tracing enabled
• PS5 or Xbox Series X — smooth performance, gorgeous visuals

Avoid:

• PS4/Xbox One versions — still feels compromised despite improvements
• Low-end PCs — will require significant tuning

Value for money in 2026

The base game is regularly discounted to $20-30, while Phantom Liberty adds another $30. For 100+ hours of top-tier RPG content, this is an exceptional value proposition.

Best places to grab a copy

You can purchase Cyberpunk 2077 through:

• Steam — best for PC modding support
• GOG — DRM-free (also owned by CD Projekt)
• PlayStation Store / Xbox Store — for consoles

Or, if you'd like to try before you buy, claim a free Cyberpunk 2077 account on INFINITYPLAY — it's a full account, no credit card needed.

Final verdict

Cyberpunk 2077 in 2026 is a triumph of post-launch redemption. It's not just "fixed" — it's genuinely excellent. If you skipped it in 2020 or gave up early, now is absolutely the right time to return to Night City.

Score: 9/10