Decisions feel meaningless

[Santa Claus]

This game is beautiful, no doubt, and I have no reservations over the basic combat system or clunky driving system because I get it: its an RPG game and those aren't the main focus mechanics. I think they're not bad considering the flak those two features are getting.

My beef is with the choices. It _is_ an RPG and the choices in this game are generally all railroaded into the same result. Even in trivial exchanges,

I didnt want to give Judy a cigarette after *someone* died, and instead of letting me refuse her via the two denial options, I'm forced to give her one. Why?

This is constant pattern in this game. Choose a path - that both lead to the same result. I'm sure there are some choices that change the story but so far, it feels pretty railroaded.

Theres a few other issues with the core concept too, besides the lack of real choice in dialog. And I'm not even saying 'not enough options' just that the ones given seem pointless when you can't play the _role_ you want.

I wouldn't gripe but this game took 8 years to make, and it feels like a really nice visual experience, but things like construction-workers spawning in one of the sexy-dancer booths or the geometry of vehicles merging and AI walking off ledges, through walls etc are all really ♥♥♥♥-tier AAA rookie mistakes. And the false "impact" they try to pitch with the dialog is pretty ♥♥♥♥ when you realize you don't have any real options.

So I'm treating this as a really expensive visual novel and nothing more, because it's not an RPG or an Action game, it's an interactive movie/novel, a really polished and featured filled novel.

And thats not even mentioning the "subtle" attempt with progressive politics.

Having actually played Cyberpunk table top, the ideas they push in this are a far cry from what Cyberpunk is about. There is degenerecy in the Cyberpunk universe but this game is obsessed with it. The constant S&M references, sexy toys and general portrayl of the society makes it seem like Cyberpunk was an erotica theme'd RPG. Erotica was an element of the Cyberpunk world but not even close to how pronounced and proud the game is.

Honestly a let down for a game 8 years in production, they spent more time on ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ that doesn't matter than anything else it seems: dialog choices are meaningless, AI is really bad, if you're quick enough you can just run behind enemies and crouch and sneak-attack them even though they saw you.

Anyone else find the RPG related mechanics shallow/hollow to non-existent?

[Fen_]

I was disappointed in that sense too. But CPDR changed their whole marketing, this isn't described as an RPG anylonger, it's an action adventure game and I think it fits that description. (I refunded the game but I certainly don't think it's a bad game, it just didn't fit me for now). Disagree with your political rant though

[SirKnechtalot]

"And thats not even mentioning the "subtle" attempt with progressive politics."
LOL! Wut?

[MOSLEY]

Originally posted by SirKnechtalot:

"And thats not even mentioning the "subtle" attempt with progressive politics."
LOL! Wut?

Someone's a little bit triggered, I guess.

[Oni]

Originally posted by Santa Claus:

And thats not even mentioning the "subtle" attempt with progressive politics.

What were you expecting from a cyberpunk set game? The whole point in cyberpunk literature is = humans need to be more humane + capitalist coorporations are bad.

[Oni]

Originally posted by MOSLEY:

Originally posted by SirKnechtalot:

"And thats not even mentioning the "subtle" attempt with progressive politics."
LOL! Wut?

Someone's a little bit triggered, I guess.

Yes, conservatives are snowflakes.

[Santa Claus]

Originally posted by Fen_:

Disagree with your political rant though

I literally have one sentence that mentions the obvious progressive politics injected into the game. The entire remainder of the post was not political.

[Santa Claus]

Originally posted by Oni:

Someone's a little bit triggered, I guess.

Originally posted by MOSLEY:

Yes, conservatives are snowflakes.

Yes, the triggered people here are those who take issue with me disagreeing with politics injected into games. It was one sentence, the entire rest of my post was not about the politics.

But go on, tell again how triggered I am haha

[Magos Sikes]

The whole development process for this game has been cdpr moving goalposts and cutting features with fanboys coping "Oh ok well we really don't need this anyways" ad infinitum until we got this unfinished mess we have now.

[Nethlem]

Originally posted by Santa Claus:

Originally posted by Fen_:

Disagree with your political rant though

I literally have one sentence that mentions the obvious progressive politics injected into the game. The entire remainder of the post was not political.

It's just such a weird thing to complain about when on the other end there are people complaining how there are not enough "progressive politics" injected because there is no non-binary voice option/people are being objectified or some crap like that.

Just gets to show how no matter how this topic is approached, somebody will always find something to complain about.

[Santa Claus]

Originally posted by Nethlem:

It's just such a weird thing to complain about when on the other end there are people complaining how there are not enough "progressive politics" injected because there is no non-binary voice option/people are being objectified or some crap like that

Me saying "keep your politics out of gaming" isn't an odd statement to make, asking for more politics in gaming is.

I play games to escape the real world, not to be trapped on a conveyor belt of ideological infused garbage, which is what 90% of gaming and movies have been for the last decade. Cyberpunk, sadly is no exception.

[Skarmo]

There is a "punk" in "cyberpunk". Remember what punk was all about?

[NZPorterDJ]

Originally posted by Skarmo:

There is a "punk" in "cyberpunk". Remember what punk was all about?

Yep! Counter-culture, non-conformity, Individualistic, Anti-system, anti-authority, anti-government... yada yada yada... Then we all started to dress the same, get the same haircuts and listen to the same music! I think we ♥♥♥♥♥♥ it all up around then...

YMMV.

[Starcut83]

While I agree about decisions feeling meaningless in the game, I still find the game enjoyable for what it is.

[Singrave]

like all your life.

[[OTG] zeek]

RPGs are not what they used to be. Now, they are more of an action game with some perks you can select. Half way through the game you can stop adding perks and or traits and still easily finish the game.