Is Cyberpunk 2077 worth playing in 2026? For most players who enjoy story-driven RPGs and first-person action, yes. The game that launched in rough shape in December 2020 has been rebuilt by Update 2.0, expanded by Phantom Liberty and extended again by Update 2.5. The main reason to skip it is if you want multiplayer: it is a single-player game.

Below we cover what the game is like now, the best platform, which edition to buy, who it suits and the mistakes new players make. Platforms, features and prices were checked against CD Projekt Red's official announcements and store pages in October 2026.

Official Cyberpunk 2077 screenshot of V in Night City
Cyberpunk 2077 has received major free updates since its 2020 launch. Image: CD Projekt Red

What Cyberpunk 2077 is like in 2026

The turning point came in September 2023. Update 2.0 reworked the skill trees and perks, police behavior and vehicle combat, and Phantom Liberty added a spy-thriller story set in a new district, Dogtown. Since then, CD Projekt Red has kept shipping updates that were each described as the last, then followed with another.

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The latest, the free Edgerunners 2 Update (2.5), added the following, according to the official 2.5 patch notes:

  • Dual-wielding: the Double Trouble perk in the Cool tree lets V use two Power pistols or revolvers.
  • Cyberware customization: five Glamdocs shops restyle Mantis Blades, Gorilla Arms, Monowire and the Projectile Launch System.
  • Mods on consoles: mod.io support on PC, Mac, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2, browsable from the in-game menu.
  • New content and comfort: two quests (Clampdown and Welcome to Paradise), new Tarot cards, a radio station, outfits, a console FOV slider and saves grouped by playthrough.

For the full background, see our story on how Cyberpunk 2077 Update 2.5 was announced alongside Edgerunners 2.

Official Cyberpunk 2077 screenshot of first-person combat
Update 2.5 adds dual-wielding pistols and revolvers to Cyberpunk 2077's combat. Image: CD Projekt Red

Best platform for Cyberpunk 2077

  • PC: the best-looking version and the biggest modding scene, with the newest upscaling options. It is also the most demanding, especially with ray tracing on.
  • PS5 and Xbox Series X|S: the easiest way to play the complete, current game on a TV, now with mods and an FOV slider.
  • Nintendo Switch 2: sold as the Ultimate Edition with Phantom Liberty included, and it receives the same 2.5 update. The best pick if you want to play portably.
  • Mac: also supported and updated to 2.5.

Avoid playing on PS4 or Xbox One. Those versions did not get Update 2.0 or Phantom Liberty. If you own the PS4 or Xbox One version, you can move up to the PS5 or Xbox Series X|S version at no extra cost.

Which Cyberpunk 2077 edition should you buy?

On Steam, the base game lists at $59.99 and Phantom Liberty at $29.99 (prices checked in October 2026). The Ultimate Edition bundles both. Both are discounted often, so it rarely makes sense to pay full price.

Our advice: start with the base game if you are unsure, since Phantom Liberty can be added at any point. If you already know you like the setting, the Ultimate Edition is the better value, because the expansion is one of the strongest parts of the package.

Official Cyberpunk 2077 screenshot of a Night City district
The Ultimate Edition of Cyberpunk 2077 includes the Phantom Liberty expansion. Image: CD Projekt Red

Who should play Cyberpunk 2077, and who should skip it

Play it if you like long, choice-heavy stories, first-person shooting or stealth, and experimenting with builds. Fans of the Edgerunners anime will also find plenty of nods.

Skip it if you want to play with friends, you dislike lengthy dialogue scenes, or your PC sits well below the official requirements.

Common mistakes new players make

  1. Buying a last-gen copy to play on last-gen. You miss years of updates and the expansion.
  2. Rushing the main story. The story feels urgent, but side jobs and gigs are where much of the best writing lives.
  3. Maxing out ray tracing on a midrange PC. Start from a preset and use upscaling before chasing the highest settings.
  4. Modding your main console save. CD Projekt Red says trophies and achievements cannot be earned from a modded save on console, so keep a clean save if you care about them.
  5. Overthinking the Lifepath choice. Nomad, Street Kid and Corpo change the prologue and some dialogue options, but the main story is the same. Pick the one whose opening sounds most fun.

One more tip: if you return after a long break, starting a fresh character is usually easier than loading a pre-2.0 save, because Update 2.0 reset perks and changed how builds work.

Official Cyberpunk 2077 screenshot of V exploring Night City
Side jobs and gigs hold much of Cyberpunk 2077's best content. Image: CD Projekt Red

Cyberpunk 2077 FAQ

Is Cyberpunk 2077 multiplayer?

No. It is a single-player RPG with no co-op or online modes.

Do I need to watch Edgerunners first?

No. The anime seasons tell separate stories in the same world. They add context and in-game references, but the game stands on its own.

Is Phantom Liberty worth it?

For most players who enjoy the base game, yes. It adds a new storyline and district and is often discounted. It requires the base game.

Is there a Cyberpunk 2077 sequel?

CD Projekt Red has confirmed a sequel, codenamed Project Orion, but it has no release date. The franchise is also growing beyond games, with a live-action Cyberpunk 2077 movie in the works at Paramount. Either way, there is no reason to wait: the current game is complete and still supported.