I think I know where your coming from. But I think that as long as they stay true to the level of realism they have done in 2020, (and forget that 203X ever existed,) then ramping up the punk factor should be fine. I guess it's up to us to provide an indication of how we, the players, see the progressive evolution of the game and where it is heading.
Bruce Willis is a prime example here. He's almost 59 years old, has been acting for about 30 years and is past his prime, (note that I say this with deep respect.) But that doesn't mean anything. He's still a badass and will be for another 10 years. Arny and Stallone are more good examples.
Slim, don't worry. 2020 was about style over substance too. Lets compare style to a flashy pimp who can't back up what he says. he may look snazzy, but he wont get anywhere because he can't enforce his will. Meanwhile, substance is an accountant. he gets stuff done and it's very important stuff; he can be the best
accountant in the world, but who wants to play 'Accounting Simulator 2014'? Merge the two, preferably leaning more to style, and you have a Crimelord who has dominated the the world of vice. If you had to be one of the above, (forgetting all moral issues,) who would you rather be?
The Style over Substance principal isn't the game in general, its the cyberpunk ethos. As Sard said, it's fundamental. here's more examples:
- Mad Max threatening everyone with that sawn off, yet it wasn't loaded.
- Dread 3D - "I said, HOT SHOT!" He could have just shot the guy in the head, but shooting him in the mouth with a flare was more badass.
In fact, any good action film you have ever seen, (you know, the ones with awesome one liners that live on forever,) has Style over Substance. It IS what makes them good action movies.
(On a related note, my GF has just informed me that filming has begun on the new mad max movie...)
