Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition Review – A Dystopian Epic in Your Hands

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition Review

The success of a game often hinges on its launch. When that launch is riddled with bugs, a title can quickly be forgotten. But some games manage a rare redemption arc, with updates that turn initial backlash into admiration for the developers’ persistence. CD Projekt Red has become the face of this phenomenon, steadily transforming Cyberpunk 2077 into a beloved experience. Now, the studio brings the sci-fi epic to the Switch 2, but can Nintendo’s latest hardware do justice to Night City?

Set in the seedy, neon-lit streets of Night City, you play as V, a hired mercenary caught in a world of crime, corruption, and cybernetics. After a job goes wrong, you’re implanted with experimental tech that begins to alter your perception of reality, launching you into a gripping journey through the city’s criminal underbelly. In addition to the main campaign, the Ultimate Edition also includes Phantom Liberty, a standalone expansion. This retains the gritty, high-tech dystopia of the main story but adds an espionage twist. Set in the lawless district of Dogtown, it thrusts you into covert operations and political conspiracies that further expand the game’s lore and world-building. Together, both narratives complement each other and showcase the sheer storytelling prowess of CD Projekt Red.

Side missions receive the same care and attention as main objectives. What begins as a simple task can spiral into something entirely unexpected, leading to memorable moments that highlight the world’s unpredictable nature. These aren’t always standalone stories and many evolve into multi-mission narrative threads, introducing new characters who embody the seedy underbelly of the neon-soaked dystopia.

It’s Your Choice

As a merc, you need to be adept with weaponry and Cyberpunk 2077 gives you the tools to master your craft. You can specialize in ranged-based combat, with its tight shooting mechanics, which are amplified through the implementation of gyro aiming. When you hold the trigger, this control method is initiated and you can fine-tune your reticle with a tilt of your controller. This improves gunplay, making combat segments more immersive. You can refine or disable this feature, or try out one of the other control schemes that CD Projekt Red has implemented. For example, you can use the Switch 2’s new mouse controls, however, I didn’t feel like this worked as well as the gyro aim.

You can also use Motion Patterns, which are essentially gestures to play. With both Joy-Cons in hand, you can twist and thrust your controller to do certain actions. This led to flashbacks of titles on the Wii, further accentuating the reason why I disliked shooters on the platform.

Mastering weaponry is essential, and Cyberpunk 2077 gives you the tools to do just that. You can specialize in ranged combat, which benefits from tight shooting mechanics enhanced by gyro aiming. When you hold the trigger, this control method activates, allowing you to fine-tune your aim by tilting the controller. It adds precision and makes firefights feel more immersive. You can customize or disable gyro aiming, or experiment with other control schemes introduced by CD Projekt Red. For example, the Switch 2’s new mouse-style controls are available, though I didn’t find them as effective as gyro aiming.

Refining the System

There’s also the Motion Patterns option, which lets you use gesture-based inputs. With both Joy-Cons in hand, you can twist and thrust the controllers to perform certain actions. This led to flashbacks of Wii titles and further accentuated the reason why I dislike shooters on that platform.

Melee combat feels satisfying, with a variety of weapons to pummel enemies into submission. Netrunning skills let you hack environmental objects to gain an edge in battle. If you prefer stealth over direct confrontation, then that’s an option too. A wide range of Netrunning abilities supports a stealthy approach, allowing you to silently eliminate enemies or slip through areas undetected. Cybernetic implants also enhance your abilities and can be selected to support your chosen playstyle. Combined with the game’s diverse skill tree, Cyberpunk 2077 offers a wealth of possibilities to suit any combat preference.

On the Move

Whether playing handheld or docked, the game looks and plays incredibly well. With options for 30 or 40fps, you can fine-tune the experience to suit your needs. I did experience the odd stutter and graphical hiccup, but that was minor in what it a highly detailed and beautiful world. It’s a remarkable achievement to get the game running to the level that it is and suggest a promising future for ports on the Nintendo Switch 2.

Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition includes the original sci-fi epic and its brilliant expansion, delivering a package that every Action RPG fan should experience. The Nintendo Switch 2 version offers a range of control options, with gyro aiming standing out as a valuable addition that enhances gameplay. While other platforms may offer higher frame rates and sharper visuals, this is a strong port, and an excellent way to experience the adventure on the go.

***A Nintendo Switch 2 code was provided by the publisher***