Cyberpunk 2077 is an Action RPG Again, at Least According to CD Projekt RED
CD Projekt RED changes the description of Cyberpunk 2077, and gamers are wondering if one update can change the game's entire genre.
Along with update 1.5 for Cyberpunk 2077 CD Projekt RED has unexpectedly changed the game's description on Steam. The term RPG, not used by the developers for three years in the context of this title, has reappeared.
Starting in 2012, with the first announcements, Cyberpunk 2077 was openly advertised as an RPG. During E3 2019, however, the narrative changed, as we wrote about here. Most likely, the anxiety of the players was the main factor at that time.
At that time, a new description appeared on social media and the studio's official website, without any explanation, claiming that Cyberpunk 2077 will be "an open-world action adventure game". This situation was in effect until Tuesday.
On February 15, 2022, the same day that the new patch was released, Internet users discovered that the description had been changed again. Now the developers use the term "action RPG" when describing the genre.
Gamers, as well as critics, did not miss the first attempt to silently retag the game. Article from TheGamer, with a somewhat brutal title I'm Enjoying Cyberpunk 2077 A Lot More Now That I've Stopped Expecting It To Be An RPG, shows that the initial advertising slogans have stayed in the minds of the audience.
With the renewed discussion about the categorization of Cyberpunk 2077 a publicist at Kotaku contacted CDP with a request for the company's response to the opinions appearing on the Internet. A studio representative, however, declined to comment on the situation.
So we don't know what made the developers think the latest update made the title an action RPG.
What is the definition of an RPG?
It's hard to deny that patch 1.5 improves elements that would be categorized as "role playing" features. Opponents are supposed to be more believable thanks to improved AI, changing our character's appearance has become more accessible, development trees have been improved, and apartment renting, which many have been waiting for since the first trailers, has finally made it into the game.
But does the greater influence on the character's appearance and decorating our place makes Cyberpunk 2077 an action RPG? Based on the discussion on Reddit it can be concluded that opinions on this issue are very divided.
One camp highlights the absurdity of the situation. User OnlyBrief writes:
"You can customize your apartment now. There are four colors to choose from. Clearly this meets RPG status."
In the same discussion, however, there are many voices claiming that Cyberpunk 2077 has always been an RPG and the description on Steam had no influence on it.
"It was an RPG from the start. Anyone claiming otherwise has no comprehensive understanding of what an RPG is, the history of the genre. Cyberpunk has the character progression, deep story focus and cast that are the most common elements of RPGs. Anyone arguing otherwise is doing so from a place of ignorance," user ProximaDust accuses other commenters.
One thing is for sure - games as an ever-evolving medium don't adhere to textbook definitions of many terms. However, CD Projekt has unquestionably created one of the most important RPGs in the form of The Witcher 3 so it has to face the high bar (set by itself). Despite this, the sudden change in the game's description still puzzles many supporters and opponents, but for different reasons.
What genre do you think Cyberpunk 2077 belongs to?
