Cyberpunk 2077 was one of the most anticipated games in recent memory, developed by CD Projekt Red, the studio behind The Witcher 3. When it launched in December 2020, the game became infamous for one of the most disastrous releases in gaming history, plagued by game-breaking bugs and performance issues that severely damaged its reputation.
Since then, CD Projekt Red has worked extensively to fix the game’s problems. Following the 2.0 update and the Phantom Liberty expansion, Cyberpunk 2077 has made a remarkable comeback and now holds a “Very Positive” overall rating on Steam. This transformation raises an important question for players who skipped the original launch or those considering a return to Night City.
In this article, we’ll explore whether Cyberpunk 2077 is worth playing in 2026, examining what has changed since launch and what the game offers today.
Cyberpunk 2077 Before the Fixes
When Cyberpunk 2077 launched in December 2020, it was plagued by an overwhelming number of bugs that severely hindered players’ enjoyment. The game suffered from technical issues including poor stability with frequent crashes, AI bugs in NPCs, and severe visual problems. Players encountered everything from corrupted save files to scripting issues that failed to trigger gameplay events.
The console versions were even worse, with PS4 and Xbox One experiencing poor performance with frame rates often dipping under 30 and even 20fps. The base PS4 version was particularly problematic, prompting players to request refunds in mass, which led Sony to remove the game entirely from the PlayStation Store. This unprecedented move for a major AAA title highlighted just how severe the technical issues were.
Despite the disastrous technical state, many fans still recognized the quality underneath the bugs. Players acknowledged the impressive world design of Night City and the compelling story that CD Projekt Red had crafted.
The Fixes and Phantom Liberty
CD Projekt Red kept regularly releasing updates and fixing the game’s issues. The 1.5 patch in February 2022 was the first major step forward, bringing numerous gameplay fixes and improvements along with a next-gen update for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. This patch included quality of life updates that started making the game feel closer to what fans originally expected.
The most notable update came in September 2023 with the 2.0 patch. This major overhaul completely redesigned the perk trees and introduced a revamped police system that finally made law enforcement feel realistic and engaging. Following this update was the Phantom Liberty DLC, which featured famous actor Idris Elba delivering the memorable line “the game is fixed” in character as Solomon Reed in the trailer.
The DLC was very well received by both fans and critics, with many considering it a fantastic expansion. Phantom Liberty was probably the biggest step in fixing the game’s image, bringing both newcomers and returning players to Night City. Additional updates followed with more fixes and new features, making the current state of the game polished and complete.
Is the Game Worth Playing Now?
With all these improvements and the Phantom Liberty DLC, the game now feels like the realization of what CD Projekt Red promised years ago. The visuals and world design are impressive, with improved crowd density and NPC behavior that make for an immersive and believable world. Visual bugs and T-poses have been significantly reduced, making Night City feel polished and alive.
The combat saw the biggest improvement with the 2.0 update’s new perk tree, mods, and revamped enemy behavior that makes fights much more satisfying. The story has been the most praised aspect since launch, with top-tier voice acting and meaningful choices throughout. Phantom Liberty delivered a tragic and exciting story with multiple branches that had fans arguing over morality. The game also has some of the best side quests in the genre, with clever ideas and emotional storytelling.
To sum up, the answer is yes, the game is definitely worth buying in 2026. Cyberpunk 2077 now delivers on its original promise and still holds up great alongside newer games.
Final Words
Cyberpunk 2077 has come a long way since its troubled launch. The game that was once unplayable on consoles now stands as a polished RPG experience worth your time. Whether you’re a newcomer or someone who abandoned the game at launch, Cyberpunk 2077 in 2026 is finally the game CD Projekt Red promised.