Highlights

  • Cyberpunk 2077's character creation allows for customization, but core attributes are limited.
  • The game's core attributes include Body, Reflexes, Technical Ability, Intelligence, and Cool.
  • CD Projekt Red can enhance future Cyberpunk games by expanding attribute options and customization.

Cyberpunk 2077 presents a futuristic world where high-tech body modifications and a seedy underworld are the norm. Before diving into Night City, players can create their own characters. This involves picking physical features as well as core attributes.

While toying around with the attributes is fun, what is available is quite limited. Cyberpunk 2077's successor should expand on the core attributes, allowing players to create more unique characters. This can be done in several ways.

cyberpunk 2077 johnny silverhand sitting and looking serious
Related
Cyberpunk 2077’s Cut Johnny Silverhand Dialogue Explained

The cut content in Cyberpunk 2077 such as Johnny Silverhand's dialogue, along with delayed DLCs, significantly impacted the game's narrative.

The Core Attributes of Cyberpunk 2077

Originally, there were five core attributes in Cyberpunk 2077, although with the Phantom Liberty DLC, a sixth attribute was added. Where players invest their points determines what kind of build their character has. The five main attributes are:

  • Body - Increases core health, stamina, and melee damage.
  • Reflexes - Increases passive crit chance and passive evade chance.
  • Technical Ability - Gives players a boost to passive armor among other perks
  • Intelligence - Increases Cyberdeck RAM capacity, and Quickhack duration and damage.
  • Cool - Decreases enemy detection speed while increasing crit damage, status resistances, stealth damage, and Monowire damage.

Is Cyberpunk 2077's Core Attribute System Bad?

Every time players level up, they earn an attribute point that can be spent on a core attribute. Each core attribute features a skill tree that players progress through via perk points. The attribute points spent on a core attribute, the more perks will be available to unlock. The process is pretty straightforward, and it doesn't differ much from what most RPGs do in this regard. This isn't a bad thing, but CD Projekt Red has the opportunity to spice things up with the next Cyberpunk game.

How The Next Cyberpunk Game Can Improve the Core Attributes

When Cyberpunk was initially announced, there were a lot of features that never made it into the final cut for various reasons. With the next Cyberpunk game, CD Projekt Red has the chance to include these features through new attributes. For example, a new attribute that focuses on mobility mechanics like wall-running could be added.

The best part is that the studio has some practice with adding new attributes through the Phantom Liberty DLC, which added the sixth Relic attribute that unlocks new abilities for arm cyberware, allows players to detect vulnerabilities in enemy armor and cyberware, and lets players activate Optical Camo during combat. The DLC provides a template for how new attributes could be added going forward.

When is the Next Cyberpunk Game Coming?

CD Projekt Red has revealed that a sequel is in the works. Codenamed Project Orion, it is still in early development, so not much is known about it yet. However, the studio would do well to take things slow and work meticulously to avoid the launch debacle faced by Cyberpunk 2077.

The level of customization in Cyberpunk 2077 is vast, allowing players to craft different builds depending on how they spend their points. Whether players are aiming for a bulky V, or a stealthy character, the possibilities are near endless. This doesn't mean the system can't be improved upon, though, which is what the next Cyberpunk game should focus on.