The devs keeps updating and getting the game even better each time, and they don't seem to be giving up anytime soon, so I decided to vent something that just won't leave my mind. Every time I restart and do a new game, these three things comes back to my mind. Maybe someone could agree and turn into a mod. But I believe the devs have wider professional tools at their disposal, and make it available for all. I assume we could do something but I don't know how realistic that would be.
Boost replayability and sweet immersion:
1- Mission menu over map markers
GIGs and some side jobs are fun, but they only activate when you get to the location and only then you know what it is about. The map may show things like "thievery" but further details are not given unless you reach the location. Now we can turn off the holocalls from fixers, and receive a text instead, but I thought of something.
I propose, Instead of the exclamation mark spreading on the map and all, these missions could be displayed on a menu for selection with a short brief or description. Some GIGs options would be blocked on that list, due the player's low StreetCred. Potential difficulty could also be shown siding each mission title. Think of it like a limited organizer, and the player would pick the GIGs they believe its the best for their mood or style or wish, before engaging it. A short resume could side the title of each mission---the player picks the mission, the map marks where they should go do the job.
It could be picked anywhere as long the player can access that UI display. Could be a phone call instead, or even going there physically to meet the fixer (and make use of the holocalls dialog but in person with V) or from a computer (this last option seems simpler and cooler). I say this because its more immersive than "who knows what you're going to find."
With that being said, some missions could be replayable (with lower or different rewards or none at all) In that UI display, you could also bribe the cops some money for a few minutes, turn their eyes away from crime so the player can cause chaos, or incite gang wars. Perhaps instead of bribing to avoid, you could incite to cause mayhem too, provoke violent encounters. These would need cooldowns to be used, so no one overuses it, and based on StreetCred and even Eddies. Perhaps the "I-Fixer" or "DeeperNet" would only be available after meeting Rogue or something, it needs to be limited and never overused.
2- Before The Heist and Jackie's death
Jackie could be a temporary recruitable companion before the Heist mission starts, enjoy our friends company a bit more before progressing. I mean that as an option if the player wants it, could call Jackie for that or just meet him at the bar or Misty's for basic missions, during Heywood and nearby districts' lockdown. I tried to ride with him before meeting Mysty, then Jackie literally disappeared from the passenger seat.
That character totally deserves to shine a bit more, before the story progresses to its destiny. Don't even need new lines, Jackie could say a couple recycled things. This could also work with a cooldown, so no one overuses it. After that, imagine if mercs or some other fighter NPCs you once saved or helped could also be temporarily recruited in the future---as long a cooldown is respected, again, so the vibes of solo won't be misused. If this all sounds bad, at least Jackie could be an exception before the Heist.
3- Rules to evolve
We should only be able to level up a character when laying over a Ripper-Doc operating table. Also, only upgrade or create a weapon when inside the apartment's weapon locker room as well. Give what we already have more reason to exist, sweet, sweet immersion will follow. That could and would be a difficulty based thing. Perhaps hard-mode or very-hard mode, or choosen to turn on-off in the options. If someone prefers the old way, just turn the new rule off or play in normal-mode.
The Replay-factor
I currently lost the count of how many times I restarted and finished Cyberpunk since 2021.
All these ideas are favorable to the replay-factor goodies. To make the restart ever smoother, the devs already offered alternative starting point with Phantom Liberty and there is a particular mod with an alternative, resumed faster intro. I don't think anything else is necessary, anything else would be further complications the devs don't need unless the challenge suits them. I would consider Cyberpunk's case finished with all the super-tunning after any of these ideas ever take shape in any form. Does anyone agrees with any of these things?
Thanks for reading! thanks CDPR for Cyberpunk 2077, what a gem. Story, art and dialogue maturity is off the charts. Can't get enough of it.
Boost replayability and sweet immersion:
1- Mission menu over map markers
GIGs and some side jobs are fun, but they only activate when you get to the location and only then you know what it is about. The map may show things like "thievery" but further details are not given unless you reach the location. Now we can turn off the holocalls from fixers, and receive a text instead, but I thought of something.
I propose, Instead of the exclamation mark spreading on the map and all, these missions could be displayed on a menu for selection with a short brief or description. Some GIGs options would be blocked on that list, due the player's low StreetCred. Potential difficulty could also be shown siding each mission title. Think of it like a limited organizer, and the player would pick the GIGs they believe its the best for their mood or style or wish, before engaging it. A short resume could side the title of each mission---the player picks the mission, the map marks where they should go do the job.
It could be picked anywhere as long the player can access that UI display. Could be a phone call instead, or even going there physically to meet the fixer (and make use of the holocalls dialog but in person with V) or from a computer (this last option seems simpler and cooler). I say this because its more immersive than "who knows what you're going to find."
With that being said, some missions could be replayable (with lower or different rewards or none at all) In that UI display, you could also bribe the cops some money for a few minutes, turn their eyes away from crime so the player can cause chaos, or incite gang wars. Perhaps instead of bribing to avoid, you could incite to cause mayhem too, provoke violent encounters. These would need cooldowns to be used, so no one overuses it, and based on StreetCred and even Eddies. Perhaps the "I-Fixer" or "DeeperNet" would only be available after meeting Rogue or something, it needs to be limited and never overused.
2- Before The Heist and Jackie's death
Jackie could be a temporary recruitable companion before the Heist mission starts, enjoy our friends company a bit more before progressing. I mean that as an option if the player wants it, could call Jackie for that or just meet him at the bar or Misty's for basic missions, during Heywood and nearby districts' lockdown. I tried to ride with him before meeting Mysty, then Jackie literally disappeared from the passenger seat.
That character totally deserves to shine a bit more, before the story progresses to its destiny. Don't even need new lines, Jackie could say a couple recycled things. This could also work with a cooldown, so no one overuses it. After that, imagine if mercs or some other fighter NPCs you once saved or helped could also be temporarily recruited in the future---as long a cooldown is respected, again, so the vibes of solo won't be misused. If this all sounds bad, at least Jackie could be an exception before the Heist.
3- Rules to evolve
We should only be able to level up a character when laying over a Ripper-Doc operating table. Also, only upgrade or create a weapon when inside the apartment's weapon locker room as well. Give what we already have more reason to exist, sweet, sweet immersion will follow. That could and would be a difficulty based thing. Perhaps hard-mode or very-hard mode, or choosen to turn on-off in the options. If someone prefers the old way, just turn the new rule off or play in normal-mode.
The Replay-factor
I currently lost the count of how many times I restarted and finished Cyberpunk since 2021.
All these ideas are favorable to the replay-factor goodies. To make the restart ever smoother, the devs already offered alternative starting point with Phantom Liberty and there is a particular mod with an alternative, resumed faster intro. I don't think anything else is necessary, anything else would be further complications the devs don't need unless the challenge suits them. I would consider Cyberpunk's case finished with all the super-tunning after any of these ideas ever take shape in any form. Does anyone agrees with any of these things?
Thanks for reading! thanks CDPR for Cyberpunk 2077, what a gem. Story, art and dialogue maturity is off the charts. Can't get enough of it.