So, I figured I'd talk about, or at least get a discussion going, on what I've seen as missing gameplay features and any possible details for the future state of the game.
[POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD]
First off, I can say I really enjoy the game as it is. I love how the story is well written, enjoy the versatility of the combat/stealth/etc mechanics, and (more importantly in my opinion) how detailed and packed the city is - it doesn't feel like a bunch of cardboard boxes with a building painted on it - it feels like a city. I can say I would like some more of exploring the mega buildings or one-off shops, but for now, I am very satisfied with it.
That said, the more and more I've played, the more and more I feel like I can see where content was cut, is missing, or feels out of place.
Just my thoughts on it. I would like to hear from anyone if they've seen any content they noticed was "missing" or appeared to be missing. What would you like to see tweaked or added? What's a completely broken mechanic, and ideas to improve? I know some content was likely cut due to pressure for an earlier release, but some constructive criticism on the current state might be helpful for the longevity of the game.
[POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD]
First off, I can say I really enjoy the game as it is. I love how the story is well written, enjoy the versatility of the combat/stealth/etc mechanics, and (more importantly in my opinion) how detailed and packed the city is - it doesn't feel like a bunch of cardboard boxes with a building painted on it - it feels like a city. I can say I would like some more of exploring the mega buildings or one-off shops, but for now, I am very satisfied with it.
That said, the more and more I've played, the more and more I feel like I can see where content was cut, is missing, or feels out of place.
- The New You: The first bit that I, and most other people noticed was the ability to change your character's appearance/features after the first bit of character creation. This one seemed like a no-brainer, but was still missing from the game. I think it'd be nice if there was a way to implement this with a "cosmetic ripper-doc" or surgeon of sorts - it's advertised in the game fairly often, and feels weird not having that option.
- Cab Services: [SPOILERS!] after completing the Delamain story line, you are rewarded with your own Delamain cab, with Delamain Jr. at the helm. I had assumed that after completing this story line, the cab would be the "fast travel" cab service that I would have expected to find in the game - a nifty way to unlock that service through story content. Delamain even mentions that you are provided with a "driver" and a car. But instead, you have to drive the car regardless. Jr. appears to just be a silent AI.
- Mad Max: I found was the "Type 66 Javelina" - right on the hood is a Millitech mounted device that looks like it has a belt-fed gun mount on the front of it. But it seems like (And, stop me if I haven't unlocked that feature or found it yet) having a car with a mounted gun on it like Panam's truck would be something easily found in or outside (considering where the car is purchased) of Night City.
- Bounties and Factions: I didn't think I'd notice was the bounty (or faction?) system for NPCs and the player. I know in an interview there was mention of a bounty (or status?) system where the player could have bounties or hits placed on them depending on their status with the various gangs/factions/corps throughout the city. (Again, stop me if I haven't gotten to that part in the story) But I can run through the city gunning down Tiger Claws all day long and have to repercussions from practically anyone. I'll gun down gang members (or even Millitech personel) and not even have to worry about it. In fact, as crazy as it sounds, I haven't even gotten into any altercation with the police. Now, idk if that's supposed to be part of the lore/story/etc where people just DGAF, but mechanics wise, it feels weird.
- Fixers: It took some realizing, was the potential content with fixers. Meeting Dex was a HUGE deal (or at least Jackie made it seem so). He was supposed to be one of the top fixers in Watson and at Afterlife. Meeting with him was in-person and required a "get to know you" type of meeting. It was a big deal. Then, going to different parts of the city, other "top" fixers just call you. No introduction, no first mission, nothing. They've heard of you, yeah, but apparently don't care to meet face to face? No formalities? It feels out of place for what it was set up to be - even more so when you can physically go meet them, in person, without an introduction (besides Rogue). The fixer locations on the map are useless when you just call them all the time instead.
- Life Paths: I think it's something other people hit on - and I don't know how much of this can/will change since the game has released - but there seems to be extremely low impact on gameplay regarding this. Disappointingly low impact. It was extremely underwhelming. You have about 30 minutes of initial gameplay with your chosen path, then nothing after the fact except the occasional dialog choice. I could have easily seen this being a whole deal about working your way out of the badlands for nomads, working yourself up as a street kid, or your "fall from grace" as a corpo - instead it's the same trip in a different style to meet Jackie each time. Nomads, Street Kids, and Corpos all start out with the same cyberware/tech - and there isn't any advantage or gameplay changes for one over the other.
- Hacking & Netrunners: So, I haven't gotten to talk to the Voodoo Boys yet(so maybe there is more?), but it feels like Hacking/Net running/"jacking in" doesn't have the feel I expected it to. Plugging in and ALWAYS picking out which order of 6 letter/number combos gets really boring and monotonous after the 1000th time. I've just started skipping that content completely. I don't even bother with access points. I don't even need the crafting materials because I don't have any blueprints that are worth it, and I can only fit 6 at most anyway. And while the quick hack/stealth mechanics are fun, it starts to get boring when all I'm going to do is use Contagion and System Reset over and over until everyone is unconscious. I'm not sure what can change here (offer suggestions if anyone has them) but picking 1C BD 7A 1C over and over isn't exactly what I'd have in mind.
Just my thoughts on it. I would like to hear from anyone if they've seen any content they noticed was "missing" or appeared to be missing. What would you like to see tweaked or added? What's a completely broken mechanic, and ideas to improve? I know some content was likely cut due to pressure for an earlier release, but some constructive criticism on the current state might be helpful for the longevity of the game.