After 700 hours, Cyberpunk 2077 has unexpectedly become one of my comfort RPGs

GamesRPGCyberpunk 2077After 700 hours, Cyberpunk 2077 has unexpectedly become one of my comfort RPGsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesRPGCyberpunk 2077After 700 hours, Cyberpunk 2077 has unexpectedly become one of my comfort RPGsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: CD Projekt Red) Behind the wheel of my car inCyberpunk 2077, the real-world slips away. The troubles weighing on me are pushed to one side, and suddenly all that matters is the road in front me. Sometimes I don’t even have a set destination in mind. I just drive; soaking in the sights of the neon-tinted city through my windshield. Then, I relive quests and gigs I’ve done many times before. Keanu Reeves' abrasive rocker Johnny Silverhand keeps me company all the while, weirdly helping me stave off the loneliness that can so often take hold. For a place dripping with danger, corruption, and violence, it might sound odd to say I find it relaxing to get lost in Night City. But with almost 700 hours behind me inCD Projekt Red’s RPG, I’ve come to the conclusion that V’s adventure continues to be unexpectedly comforting. Get in loser (Image credit: CD Projekt Red) I’ve always found solace in repetition. I often rewatch the same shows, reread my favorite books, or replay the same games over and over. It’s something I’ve done for as long as I can remember, and I know I’m far from alone in that. There’s a sense of safety that comes from knowing what to expect, and the familiarity that comes from revisiting a virtual world you know so well can also bring a sense of consolation or reprieve. Whether it be an escape from everyday concerns, or as means to help pull you through a particularly hard time, there are certain games I always return to. All aboard(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)The making of Cyberpunk 2077’s metro system: “From day one, we considered the NCART to be a roleplaying feature first and foremost” All aboard (Image credit: CD Projekt Red)The making of Cyberpunk 2077’s metro system: “From day one, we considered the NCART to be a roleplaying feature first and foremost” (Image credit: CD Projekt Red) The making of Cyberpunk 2077’s metro system: “From day one, we considered the NCART to be a roleplaying feature first and foremost” Now, I’ll be the first to admit that I never expected V’s action-packed journey would be one such source of comfort. Following its rocky launch, I made the decision to hold out for theCyberpunk 2077 PS5 upgrade, which eventually landed in early 2022. At that point, many parts of the world were still shut down as a result of the pandemic, and I was still processing two years of isolation. With a more polished Night City to explore, I immediately got sucked in, and as I drove through the streets, I found just the space I needed. When I played it, it felt like I could breathe again, and I couldn’t seem to get enough of the driving. Even now, when I can go outside again, I still find myself getting back behind the wheel just to shut off for a while on tough days. Racing gameshave always been a major source of stress relief, and I often fall into a flow state when I zip across tracks or drive through the roads of any one of the Forza Horizon entries. I never expected Cyberpunk 2077’s open-world would help me decompress in much the same way. On occasion, I’ll even boot up the game for that express purpose, shirking all quests to take my time driving from district to district. Listening to The Dirge or Body Heat radio station, nothing beats cruising around at night (particularly when it rains); the city is all aglow with animated advertisements and I feel like I’m transported right into the car. Any time I get the chance to sit in the passenger seat as the likes of Panam, Judy, Jackie, or Claire take the wheel, I never skip the ride. In fact, I relish any opportunity to sit take in the views from the window - much as I do aboard the metro these days. Just as V sits still for a moment, I sink into the moment on my couch right along with them. Keeping company (Image credit: CD Projekt Red) What’s perhaps more surprising is that Johnny Silverhand often brings me a sense of companionship that helps me far more than it has any right to. Let’s be honest, he’s not the most likable fellow to begin with, and your partnership is entirely forced after a shot at the big leagues gone wrong. In fact, the first time I played Cyberpunk 2077, I actively tried to distance myself from him. I outright refused to engage or give him anything he wanted; unknowingly locking off an ending in the process. But the more I played in subsequent runs, the more I opened up to his presence. Eventually, I actually started enjoying his company and as I did some of Silverhands quests through the latter part of the game, it even got me through some particularly lonely episodes in my own life. That’s not to say I care for him half as much as any one of the companions inBioWare’s RPGs, and I wouldn’t say he’s stolen my heart in the same way as, say,Parvati did in The Outer WorldsorKarlachinBaldur’s Gate 3. But in a place like Night City, where V is alone much of the time, Silverhand makes everything feel less lonely. He may be selfish and harsh at times, but he’s with you through every dangerous mission, gig, and side quest. After all, since he’s in your head, there’s no getting away from him, but it does mean you’ll always have someone with you - for better or worse. Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more The more hours I spend in Night City, the more I’ve come to accept it’s a place I want to keep coming back to, if only to get away from everything for a while. I’m sure I’ll no doubt continue to find myself behind the wheel in Cyberpunk 2077 anytime I need to kick back and unwind. For more, see whyplaying Cyberpunk 2077 for the very first time, is making one of our writers question everything they knew about how an RPG should look and feel. 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brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the 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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths” 5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be 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super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 4 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place” 5 Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”