Today’s Cyberpunk 2077 may have similar gameplay from the original demo trailer shown in 2018, but the amount of changes and cuts made to the final product makes the game feel kind of shallow. While Cyberpunk's 2018 gameplay demo heavily emphasized that it was a work in progress and things were subject to change, there are multiple features in the finished Cyberpunk game that function poorly because of accompanied features that were cut. The number of bugs, glitches, and crashes alone show that Cyberpunk 2077 was not ready for its December 2020 release date. Had CD Projekt given developers more time to complete the game instead of rushing it out and leaving Cyberpunk 2077 developers frustrated and angry, perhaps the numerous cut features could’ve been included in release and make for a better RPG experience.
There are various examples within today’s Cyberpunk 2077 game that show some evidence of cut features. For example, V can technically have multiple safehouses or apartments, but the only one that functions properly is the default apartment V has at the start of the game. Vehicles owned by gang members have custom paint jobs relating to their gang, and iconic weapons are unique to certain characters. V has their own iconic weapon and personal vehicle, but players can’t customize either of them despite there being evidence of unique weapons and vehicles being present.
The 2018 Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay reveal features quite a few things that did not make the cut in the initial release of the game. Very early on the narrator showcases the apartment that V does stay in throughout the game but refers to it as “V’s current apartment” which teases at the idea that players will have the opportunity to upgrade to a better apartment later on the game. This isn’t the case. Although Cyberpunk 2077 shows multiple apartment icons as players complete the questlines of important characters, these locations belong to V’s friends. It is alluded that V is given access to Judy’s home upon her leaving Night City, however, upon going to Judy’s apartment, she’s still be there and V won't be able to use it like their default apartment in Watson.
Cyberpunk 2077 Cut Content: Character Customization
Before Lifepaths were introduced to Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red initially had the idea of giving players the option to customize their character’s background. The background customization included choosing a childhood hero with Johnny Silverhand, Morgan Blackhand, and Saburo Arasaka as options, a key life event such as the "death of a sibling," "running away from home," or "first big kill," and finally why V chose to go to Night City with options such as “unfinished business,” “ex-lover in town,” and “something to prove” being available.
The character background section of the initial Cyberpunk 2077 character creation stage also provided some information about V, such as their birthday and gender. Other information, such as their real name, was classified as missing data, and the name V would’ve been an alias. In the released game, V is a nickname for the main character, with V’s real name being Vincent for male V and Valerie for female V. While the initial character background section made for inspiration behind the Lifepath system, keeping the character background customization could’ve added more of a roleplaying element to Cyberpunk and allow players to create their own unique characters no matter how many times they play through the game.
Another cut feature within character customization was more options when creating V. Players were initially given a lot more customization options in the 2018 demo, which included more template options, body type customization, individual tattoo selection, the option to have tattoos glow, and starting clothing options. It’s unknown why CDPR decided to strip these options as well as not give players the option to have their character be made more cybernetically modified, but these features could’ve added more depth to the RPG experience.
Cyberpunk 2077 Cut Content: Third-Person
Fans were disappointed when it was revealed that Cyberpunk 2077 would exclusively be in first-person, and while the first-person point of view made for a different experience in immersion, Cyberpunk 2077 was originally third-person. CDPR did initially advertise occasional third-person cutscenes as seen in the 2018 demo, but this feature was mostly cut from the final release. There is only one time that a third-person cut scene is played in Cyberpunk 2077, and it occurs at the very end of the story.
Players can also view their character in any mirror in the world, the inventory menu, and in photo mode. Instead of outright removing third-person, CDPR could’ve done something similar to Skyrim and give players the option of using a first-person or third-person point of view. With the resources for third-person still possibly being available, perhaps CDPR could pull a reverse GTA 5 and add a third-person option to the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions of Cyberpunk 2077.
Cyberpunk 2077 Cut Content: Real Estate
In Cyberpunk 2077, the player's apartment is important. As stated previously, V is technically capable of having multiple apartments or safehouses where the player is meant to be able to look in the mirror, shower, sleep, and stash items. However, only V’s default apartment functions properly. There are several jobs within Cyberpunk 2077 where V ends up in someone’s apartment, house, or penthouse. In one of the endings of Cyberpunk 2077, V has a mansion.
It’s clear that CDPR initially intended players to have more than one property. The resources are in the game, but instead of actually allowing players to buy apartments, penthouses, and even mansions, CDPR settled for giving players free access to the homes of V’s friends. This feature would be fine if it worked properly, but it doesn’t, and only V's initial apartment acts like a true home - even though it can barely be customized itself.
Cyberpunk 2077 Cut Content: Buying and Customizing Cars
Buying cars in Cyberpunk 2077 seem to be a big part of the game. They may not be as mind-blowing as Cyberpunk 2077 being playable in the Tesla Model S, but they are a big part of transportation. Players are often bombarded with text messages from fixers about new cars available for purchase. Constantly getting texted about vehicles that players can’t afford or aren’t interest in can get annoying.
There is a solution to this problem that CDPR themselves show a brief glimpse of in montage with V and Jackie. In the montage, there’s a scene that shows V buying their car at what looks like a dealership. Instead of spamming players with the latest car deal, CDPR could’ve used an interior similar to the Delamain headquarters or perhaps model a car dealership around a regular parking garage and have all purchasable vehicles available at one location. If CDRP wanted to, they could still use fixers as salespeople or even use them as messengers for only the most exclusive vehicles.
Another car feature that should have been included in Cyberpunk 2077 is car customization. Players can buy as many vehicles as they want in Cyberpunk 2077, with one of the achievements for the game being purchasing every vehicle available, but one thing players can’t do is customize their vehicles. However, as players roam around Night City, they will notice many customized vehicles that belong to specific characters or gangs.
In The Badlands, both the Wraiths and Aledecaldos have vehicles that are customized with their gang name. Maelstrom and the Valentinos in Night City also have custom gang vehicles. Characters who have their own custom vehicles include Jackie, Claire, and Panam, while other characters such as River and Kerry have regular personal vehicles. While it does kind of make sense to not be able to customize the free vehicles in Cyberpunk 2077 that are gifted to V, there’s no reason why players shouldn’t be able to customize vehicles that are bought. If anything, CDPR could’ve at least allowed players to customize V’s personal car.
Cyberpunk 2077 Cut Content: Jackie’s Quadra
The car seen in various advertisements and early gameplay videos was originally Jackie’s. In Cyberpunk’s gameplay demo Jackie buys the Quadra and the vehicle ends up in V’s possession after Jackie’s death. In the complete game, Jackie no longer owns the Quadra. His car was replaced by an Arch motorcycle, a company owned by Keanu Reeves.
The switch was likely made after the 2018 demo was released, perhaps after Keanu became Johnny Silverhand and worked to get a collaboration between Arch and Cyberpunk. Players can still obtain the Quadra seen in the ads in a side job, but players can assume that the Quadra may’ve played a bigger role in regard to Jackie before Johnny Silverhand was Keanu Reeves.
Cyberpunk 2077 Cut Content: Multiple Modes of Transportation
In Cyberpunk 2077, the main modes of transportation players have are cars and motorcycles. There are AVs, but players aren’t able to drive them. There’s supposedly a subway system, but players aren’t able to access it. Finally, there’s the high-end Delamain cab service that players use for The Heist. There’s an entire plotline regarding the Delamain cab service, and players can even obtain a Delamain cab, but they can’t use Delamain as a cab service. If players want to get somewhere in a hurry, they can go to the many fast travel access points available in the city.
CDPR missed an opportunity to have multiple modes of transportation to substitute the fast travel points. AVs, subways, and Delamain cabs could’ve been ways for players to fast travel or just sit back and enjoy the ride. Players can already skip car rides with characters whenever the player is in the passenger seat, so why not make it the same for the other vehicles? Of course, sightseers of Night City who think Cyberpunk 2077 cars are worthless could always walk to their destination if they so choose to.
Cyberpunk 2077 Cut Content: Weapon Customization
Weapons in Cyberpunk 2077 are interesting. Not only are there unique weapons that are specific to certain characters known as iconic weapons, but weapons also have a variety of skins and colors. Random enemies may drop a gun that is painted multiple colors for no real reason, and that weapon may not even be any good. It just looks different from a standard black weapon. Even V has their own iconic weapon available to players early on the game.
However, similar to cars, weapons can’t really be customized. With players able to craft and upgrade their weapons through the Technical Ability skill, it would make sense for players to be able to fully customize their own creations. Players currently have to suffice with pseudo-customizing their weapons through mods, scopes, and muzzles. If that sounds tedious, players can also try finding the best weapons in Cyberpunk 2077.
Cyberpunk 2077 Cut Content: A Sixth Attribute Stat
After meeting Johnny Silverhand, when players go to the Character section there will be 6 slots instead of 5. The normal 5 attributes: Body, Reflexes, Technical Ability, Intelligence, and Cool will be displayed with an empty sixth display between Intelligence and Cool. If players hover over it, the display will begin to fizzle out. This empty display isn’t a mysterious sixth attribute stat, but rather an oversight on CDPR’s part. There were originally six attributes in Cyberpunk 2077, with Constitution being the final attribute alongside the five attributes that are already there. The Constitution attribute was removed, possibly late in the process, which could be why there are still six blocks in the Character section for attributes.
One thing CDPR could’ve done to keep the sixth attribute trait is perhaps turn it into a cyberware attribute. There is a cyberware section already, but having a dedicated attribute for special cyberware such as mantis blades, gorilla arms, and monowire could’ve allowed for developers to keep the cut features involving special cyberware, such as wall climbing with the mantis blades or hacking enemies using the monowire. This would not only make getting the cyberware more worth it, but also make them more unique.
While there had been leaks and rumors about some cut content being released through DLC, CD Projekt Red responded to these rumors saying they are false, crushing the dreams of some fans that some of the concepts that made Cyberpunk 2077 seem exciting would be added at some point. Despite the rumor being false, players can still hope that CDPR will eventually fix some of the features that are necessary for the game to function correctly.
Cyberpunk 2077 has compelling characters and a variety of choices that affect how the story plays out, but lacks in many areas when it comes to gameplay. When the game was first revealed in 2018, there was potential and a promise that Cyberpunk 2077 would be a roleplaying game that releases when its ready. However, between pressure by fans and stockholders, Cyberpunk 2077 was released with shallow gameplay and a plethora of game breaking bugs. As CD Projekt Red works to complete their game, players are left to fantasize about what could’ve been and make Cyberpunk 2077 better with mods.
Source: Cyberpunk 2077/CD Projekt Red